‘Death In Paradise’ Franchise Starts Filming On Newest Spin-off Series Set In Australia. Are you are big fan of ‘Death In Paradise,’ like me? The murder mystery show set in the Caribbean just finished it’s 13th season and surpassed 100 episodes.
Set on the fictional island of Saint Marie, we have come to love the rotating cast of characters. There is the ever changing Detective Inspector from England, the Detective Sergeant and two police officers. There is the wise and no nonsense Chief of Police and the bar owner/mayor. Each episode there is a murder and we watch as the team solves the case. To say that I’m a little obsessed with this show is an understatement.
The creators have already spun the show off to the successful ‘Beyond Paradise.’ This features one of the former DIs, Humphrey Goodman and his fiance Martha as they embark in life and solving crimes in England. Now we get ready for the newest spin-off set in Australia.
‘Return To Paradise’ has begun filming across Syndey and the Illawarra Coastal region for the new 6 part whodunit series. The show will have a “disctinctively Australian flare while paying homage to the ‘paraverse.'” The new series is being produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia with Red Planet Pictures for the ABC in Association with the BBC. This will screen on BBC one and Iplayer in the UK.
Taking charge as the franchise’s first lead female detective is Anna Samson (Dead Lucky, Wake in Fright, Home and Away) as Mackenzie Clarke. Unravelling the murder mysteries alongside Anna is the exciting ensemble cast of Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso, Nolly), Tai Hara (Home and Away, Colin From Accounts, Austin), Catherine McClements (Total Control, Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries), Celia Ireland (Wentworth, Total Control), Andrea Demetriades (Mother and Son, The Artful Dodger) and Aaron McGrath (Gold Diggers, Preppers).
Return to Paradise follows DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson), an Australian ex-pat who’s made a name for herself in London’s Metropolitan Police for cracking uncrackable murder cases. When she is accused of tampering with evidence, Mackenzie returns to Australia, back to the last place she ever wanted to be. That would be her hometown of Dolphin Cove. Having fled the town six years ago, infamously leaving her ex-fiancée Glenn (Tai Hara) at the altar, Mackenzie is not welcome here.
But with no other job options, and a unique talent for solving a mystery, no matter how challenging, a reluctant Mack joins the team at Dolphin Cove Police Station. Once a case lands on her desk, she can’t rest until she’s figured it out. Then put the killer is in handcuffs. It’s that tenacity and work ethic that might just, over time, help Mackenzie win over her new colleagues, and the people of Dolphin Cove.
Co-Creator and Executive Producer Peter Mattessi says: “I’m beyond excited to welcome Producer Di Haddon and our two fabulous directors Mat King and Tenika Smith who are coming together with our amazing cast to bring the world of Return to Paradise to life. We are having so much fun creating this brand-new mystery series that brings an Australian twist to one of the globe’s most successful television franchises. We think audiences in Australia, UK and around the world are going to fall in love with our wonderful characters, our delicious whodunits, and our gorgeous coastal Australian locations.”
Produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia, Red Planet Pictures. Co-Created and Executive Produced by Peter Mattessi, James Hall and Robert Thorogood. Producer: Di Haddon. Executive Producers for BBC Studios Productions Australia are Kylie Washington and Warren Clarke, for Red Planet Pictures are Belinda Campbell and Tim Key and for ABC are Rachel Okine and Brett Sleigh.
Return to Paradise will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and ABC and ABC iview later this year in Australia. It will be distributed globally by BBC Studios.
I am looking forward to this coming out. This is more than likely going to have the same feel as ‘Death In Paradise’ and ‘Beyond Paradise’. Furthermore, it’s going to be female led. Yes, I’m a Hallmark girlie, but I’m a big time British tv girlie, especially the whodunits.
