BBC Death in Paradise's new detective has already appeared in series as a villain
BBC Death in Paradise's new detective has already appeared in series as a villain
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Don Gilet, star of Death in Paradise, has previously graced the BBC show before landing the lead role in the new series. The ex-EastEnders actor first appeared in the show during the Christmas special, but now he's back as the full-time leading detective, DI Mervin Wilson. However, fans might not be aware that Don had already made an appearance on the show alongside lead star Kris Marshall before securing his new role.
Reflecting on his earlier cameo, he shared: "I watched it before I appeared in series four with Kris Marshall. I was watching to see the style of the show and I was drawn in by how they managed to balance the seriousness and gravity of a crime show because there are murders! with the quirkiness from the character's perspective, giving a light touch to it and a comedic edge.". "There are comedies and there are detective shows; they'd managed to combine those two things, and I thought, 'This is really doing it.'".
He continued: "It was a long time ago now, but I certainly remember enjoying it! I remember thinking I'm here just playing the villain. "I'll never have to play that character who speaks for seven pages nonstop. Cut to now, and I'm now playing the character who speaks for seven pages nonstop.". The BBC series is set to return to our TV screens tomorrow night, and a freshly-released teaser assures viewers that while there "may be a new detective in town" it remains "business as usual" on the Caribbean island.
The first episode is set to air on Friday, January 31, where viewers will meet the new DI Mervin Wilson. Before his debut, Don confessed he was both "excited and terrified" about his full-time return. The actor shared: "I'm sure it won't be a surprise to say that it was both exciting and terrifying in equal measure. I liken it to one of those scary rides at a theme park. I'm going on it, and I know it's going to be scary, but I'm going to do it.
