DEATH IN PARADISE RENEWED FOR FURTHER TWO SERIES AND CHRISTMAS SPECIALS ON BBC ONE

The BBC has announced that the award-winning Death in Paradise has been recommissioned for a further two series and two Christmas specials, with filming commencing on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe this week.

Fans can look forward to another captivating chapter on the sun-drenched shores of Saint Marie as the new series welcomes back its much loved cast: Don Gilet (DI Mervin Wilson), Don Warrington (Commissioner Selwyn Patterson), Shantol Jackson (DS Naomi Thomas), Shaquille Ali-Yebuah (Officer Sebastian Rose), Catherine Garton (Sergeant Mattie Fletcher) and Élizabeth Bourgine (Catherine Bordey). Further guest stars and details of the cases for the new series will be announced in due course.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: "Death in Paradise is a global phenomenon and we are incredibly proud to have it on the BBC, where it goes from strength to strength. It's with great pleasure that we share the news that we'll be returning to Saint Marie for two more sun-soaked series and Christmas specials."

Tim Key, Executive Producer, Red Planet Pictures commented: “We remain incredibly proud of the show and the team that makes it, and delighted that the audience continue to love it as much as we do. The response to our latest series has been wonderful and we can't wait to get started again - we've got something very special lined up to kick off our 16th season, with a big surprise setting it up in our Christmas special. Watch this space...”

Enjoyed by audiences in 230 territories worldwide, its unique blend of sun-soaked escapism, compelling mysteries and much-loved characters has captivated millions for the last 15 years. Critically, the series has been widely praised for its irresistible mix of humour, warmth and classic detective storytelling.

The continued success of Death in Paradise has also driven a franchise of popular spinoffs including Beyond Paradise and Return to Paradise, drawing millions of viewers and further demonstrating the strength of the brand both domestically and internationally.

Death in Paradise is a Red Planet Pictures (a Fremantle Company) production for the BBC.