Death in Paradise: Ralf Little, Don Warrington and Shantol Jackson on season 12 and the Christmas special

As season 12 of Death in Paradise kicks off, viewers will once again be transported to the sunny climes of the Caribbean, where mystery and drama unfold on the fictional island of Saint Marie.

A returning cast ensemble welcome a host of newcomers to bring these stories to life and the rumblings of romance and life-changing revelations take hold in the new series, as well as some serious detective work from DCI Neville (Ralph Little).

There’s also a one-off Christmas special to keep viewers entertained during the festivities. A night in a haunted house sets the scene for some spooky antics and an age-old case resurfaces for Selwyn (Don Warrington). 

The Upcoming had the pleasure of hearing from Ralf Little, Don Warrington and Shantol Jackson as they spoke about returning to the island for the new series, welcoming a host of new faces for that as well as the Christmas Special, and what they think the key ingredients are in keeping the show current and interesting for fans. 

How does it feel coming back together on the island of Sant Marie for another series? 

Don Warrington: It’s great. I look forward to seeing everybody – you know, to find out what they’ve been doing while we’ve been away. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

Ralf Little: This feels like a really settled main gang of characters now. I’ve got to know Shantol much better this year because we’ve had more time and everyone gets to settle into their roles. I mean, Tahj can be comfortable in an empty room anyway. He arrived and was just chilled, whereas when I arrived, I was a little bit more… not nervous, but just a little bit more keen to make the right impressions and do the right thing.

Shantol Jackson: I’m a lot more settled, I think last year there were quite a few changes – there was me coming in, Josie going out, Ginny coming in. So we went through all those changes and by the time it got to episode five and six we had the set the core group. So coming in this year, with the core group, now we know this is it and we now know how to work around each other and work with each other and bounce off each other. So it’s been really nice and I’m glad we have that opportunity for this season to just properly work with each other and make that chemistry work on screen.

You’ve got some great guest stars coming up in series 12 and the Christmas special. Was there anyone that you were particularly excited about working with or that you’re particularly excited for viewers to see because you loved what they did on the show?

DW: I think in their individual ways everybody stands out. I think that we’re very lucky – we get people who work very hard and are very good at what they do. It’s wonderful for us because every time we get a new cast member, in a way, we’re shocked by them because they’re different, and they bring different energy, and we have to respond to it. So I’m excited to see all of them.

SJ:  We have some good people, Obviously, personalities are different and the individuals are different each time, but when we get to set, the quality of work is really good, which is what’s important. So it’s been a really nice experience. And it’s great when you get talented people to work with and it makes the show flow. Of course, just meeting different people keeps it interesting too.

RL: It takes calculated risks and making clever choices to bring people in and cast against type. Specifically in this series, for example, we have Robert Webb and Les Dennis and to an extent Kevin Eldon as well. We know them within the comedy field – Robert from Peep Show is very firmly rooted in the national psyche and Les firmly rooted in the national psyche for hosting a game show. These guys are brilliant and they come out and do something completely unexpected. They’re sort of given the opportunity to go, “I’ve got loads of strings to my bow” and they’re incredible. I’m a big comedy fan anyway. I really enjoy when it comedy legends come out and it turns out that they’re proper heavyweight actors – that always pleases me. It always pleases me to see people step outside what’s expected of them and just relish it. So I think this show affords that opportunity.

Can you talk to us about the Christmas special? It’s almost like The Ghost of Christmas Past. What were some of the highlights from filming?

DW:  It has that Ghost of Christmas Past quality to it. I think what was exciting about the Christmas special for me was that it was a new area to explore that we really hadn’t done before – in terms of going into a character’s past and exploring that. I think it allowed all the characters in it to go somewhere slightly different. It’s a Christmas special, it has charm and it has light, but it also has power. Like all good stories, it packs a punch.

SJ: I think it has all the elements of – or most of the main elements – of Christmas, which is what people enjoy. It has a ghost story, it has Christmas carols and someone falls in love or finds love or almost finds love. So, you know, those elements make it already very special and very Christmassy and it’s something to look forward to on Boxing Day.

What do you think are some of the qualities that have made this show so long-lasting?

DW: I think it’s about a chemistry. I think it’s about the idea and how it matches with the people who are in it and how the audience respond. I think it’s a mystery to me. I mean, if I could tell you what it was, I would, I would be busy at my table with a pen. It’s just… it’s magic. Let’s call it that! 

RL: There are certain factors that don’t hurt, like the view: it looks beautiful, it’s comforting, particularly for those who watch it in the winter months in the UK – it’s escapism. It stays fresh because they make bold choices. They make bold casting choices, the guest casts come out and keep the energy fresh, they are not afraid to change up the main core team either. Don is the only exception to that. I think that’s part of its success. The reality is things do need to be refreshed and it’s very bold of the show to go, “Right, everybody loves these characters. Let’s make a change.” It’s a risk but they’ve managed to find a way to keep doing it that makes that keeps it fresh and keeps it interesting.

SJ: I would just echo what they said. It’s being in the Caribbean – it’s a lovely view. It’s the chemistry of the cast and if you’re a Nancy Drew fan and you love a good mystery, then that’s something that keeps the show going. It’s always the mystery and about who committed the crime. So I think those are some of the main elements that keep the audience coming back.

Is there any romance in the air for your character, Neville? Or for you, Don, with Darlene?

DW: I’d love to be able to comment on it. I’m afraid I can’t as I don’t know. I’m open to surprise though and it sounds interesting!

RL: There’s a little bit of it in the Christmas special – a little bit of potential love in the air for Neville – which does sort of go on to play out through the series. It’s very complicated because he’s still a little bit burnt after Florence leaving and falling hard there and it not working out. So there’s definitely love angles in the future.

Ezelle Alblas

Death in Paradise season 12 is released on BBC One on 6^th January 2023 while the Christmas special is airing on 26^th December 2022.

Watch the trailer for Death in Paradise season 12 here: