New Death in Paradise star will be first black actor in role
Don Gilet’s previous credits include EastEnders, Holby City and Shetland – PHILIPPE VIRAPIN
Don Gilet will be the new lead detective in Death in Paradise as the BBC show gives the fish-out-of-water theme a new twist.
Gilet, who previously appeared in one episode in the fourth series of the show, will play DI Mervin Wilson, a Londoner who arrives on the island of Saint Marie and “isn’t overly pleased with his new surroundings”.
He succeeds Ralf Little, who played DI Neville Parker for five series of the BBC One show. Previously, the lead role was played by Ardal O’Hanlon, Kris Marshall and Ben Miller.
Gilet, whose credits include EastEnders, Holby City and Shetland, is the first black actor to play the role. While DI Wilson has spent his life in London, he may have a connection to Saint Marie.
The announcement comes after Kris Marshall, who was the star in series 3-6, told The Telegraph in March: “What I think would be really brilliant for the show now is that they have a person – whether guy or girl – of Caribbean heritage who has grown up in Britain, is completely, for want of a better word, Anglicised, has never been to the Caribbean and finds it really hard.
“Because obviously we’ve had lots of middle-aged white guys, and that’s been great and the show’s been a success, but I think it would really give it another angle.”
Filming on series 14 is under way in Guadeloupe. Gilet said: “Being offered the new lead role in Death in Paradise feels like a deeply loved and incredibly precious jewel has been placed in my hands.
“This is a big show with a big heart and the love continually grows for it. It is my intention to never lose sight of that and to remain grateful, humbled and dedicated. Even during those testing times when every sinew is screaming at me to run off the set and dive into the sea, swimming pool or an ice-cold beer – whichever happens to be closer at the time!”
Death In Paradise is one of the BBC’s most popular series and has been licensed to 230 territories worldwide. Gilet’s first episode will air this Christmas.
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC drama, said that Gilet has “long been one of the UK’s most exciting actors”, adding: “Death in Paradise is in brilliant hands.”
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