BBC Death in Paradise star 'heartbroken' as she shares update on new series
Death in Paradise fans will be delighted to learn that there is another spin off of the much-loved BBC drama with a female lead. Return to Paradise will follow the original spin off, Beyond Paradise, and will be set in Australia.
It will see Anna Samson taking on the role of DI Mackenzie Clarke - The first female lead in the Death in Paradise world.
The former Home and Away star shared an update with fans of the BBC show as she said that she was "heartbroken". Sharing a post to her Instagram account, the 34-year-old actress posed alongside her co-stars.
Anna captioned the post, as 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."
The upcoming series is set to offer a different take on the Death in Paradise universe, with the synopsis reading: "Return to Paradise follows DI Mackenzie Clarke, an Australian ex-pat who's made a name for herself in London's Metropolitan Police for cracking uncrackable murder cases.
Anna Samson and her co-stars
"When she is accused of tampering with evidence, Mackenzie returns to Australia, back to the last place she ever wanted to be - her hometown of Dolphin Cove. Having fled the town six years ago, infamously leaving her ex- fiancée Glenn (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, and the killer is in handcuffs."
Death in Paradise
Sue Deeks, head of BBC Programme Acquisition, said: "Everything we all love about Death in Paradise - the humour, the beautiful scenery, the likeable characters, the ingenious plots - now in a fabulous Australian setting."
Producers haven't yet released an air date for the new series, but with filming now wrapped up fans are likely hoping they won't have to wait too long.
Meanwhile, fans have been enjoying the first spin-off, Beyond Paradise, which wrapped up its second series earlier this year. The BBC has confirmed the series will returning for a Christmas special this year as well as a third series in 2025.