Death in Paradise spin-off Return to Paradise 'wraps filming' as BBC release first look

Anna Samson and her Return to Paradise co-stars including Tai Hara and Lloyd Griffith

Filming has wrapped up on Return to Paradise, the eagerly awaited Australian spin-off of the hit murder mystery series Death in Paradise. The BBC revealed that this series would be the first in the franchise to star a female lead, following the surprising exit of Ralf Little's character DI Neville Parker at the conclusion of the original show's thirteenth series.

Anna Samson, known for her role as Mia Anderson in Home and Away, was unveiled as the main character DI Mackenzie Clarke, an Aussie expat who had previously tackled some of the Metropolitan Police's toughest cases while residing in London. After being accused of evidence tampering, she leaves the UK to return to her homeland Australia, where she starts solving some intriguing mysteries.

The actress recently shared on Instagram that filming for the new show had concluded, expressing her sadness over its end. She wrote: "I got to spend the last three months with these three lads. I love them more than I can say. We wrapped our show this week and my heart is broken that they will no longer be contractually obliged to spend time with me."

Audiences are set to witness DI Clarke's somewhat challenging return to Australia, which occurs six years after she left her fiance Glenn (portrayed by fellow Home and Away star Tai Hara) at the altar.

Cop Liu is heading down under in a new job at the Dolphin Cove Police Station, a marked departure from her time at the Met Police. Cop Liu has to win the favour of her new mates at work, reports OK!.

Supporting cast stars include Ted Lasso's Lloyd Griffith and Catherine McClements of Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries fame.

The six-episode series promises to be every bit as brilliant as its parent show. Peter Mattessi, the co-creator and Executive Producer couldn't hide his excitement saying, "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."

Death in Paradise's remarkable track record of success speaks volumes for its offshoots. The hugely popular Beyond Paradise is testament to this, with its 2023 debut featuring the comic wizard Kris Marshall playing DI Humphrey Goodman in Shipton Abbott in Devon.