Kris Marshall steps down

Ardal O’Hanlon is to take over as the star of BBC One’s Death In Paradise.

Kris Marshall is quitting the Caribbean-set detective show because he finds it too hard to be separated from his young family for the six months a year it takes to film.

O’Hanlon appears in tonight’s episode of the show as London-based Met police officer DI Jack Mooney – and will remain part of the cast for the rest of the series.

His character has been described as having a hint of Father Ted’s Dougal about him because of his fondness for ‘seemingly-irrelevant stories’. And when he goes to interview bank executives as part of an investigation, he grabs handfuls of free sweets from the reception area.

He said: ‘I am delighted to be joining Death in Paradise and exploring what’s made Mooney up and leave London for a life in the Caribbean. I’ve already had a taste of filming in Guadeloupe and can’t wait to get back.’

It is not known how Marshall’s character, Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman, will be written out.

Marshall took the starring role in 2013, following the departure of Ben Miller, and has attracted more than eight million viewers to the series. He said: ‘Death in Paradise has been an incredible experience… but it’s time to hand over to someone new and spend more time with my family. I know Ardal will do a superb job.’

Last month, Chortle revealed how Fresh Meat star Tony Gardner contracted the Zika virus while shooting Death In Paradise. on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.

O’Hanlon starts filming this spring.

Published: 2 Feb 2017