Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise’s Ben Miller exit explained as fans call departure ‘depressing news’
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise is back on our screens and fans have been left reminiscing about the show's first detective, Richard Poole, played by Ben Miller
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise has returned to BBC One, introducing Don Gilet as the new detective, DI Mervin Wilson. Initially, he found it tough to connect with his team, who perceived him as insensitive and dismissive.
However, as he settles into his role on the island, he’s beginning to demonstrate his value and showing empathy towards his colleagues. As he navigates his new position on Saint Marie, fans are reminiscing about past lead detectives on the show.
The original detective, Richard Poole, played by Ben Miller, was the first to take on the role. At the start of season three, Poole met a tragic end, and the bumbling London Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman, portrayed by Kris Marshall, arrived to investigate the murder of his predecessor.
DI Richard Poole (BEN MILLER), Camille Bordey (SARA MARTIN) ( Image: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Denis Guyenon)
Ben Miller had a compelling reason for leaving the series, as he was expecting his first child and wanted to focus on his family. He explained to Digital Spy: “Two weeks after I arrived in the Caribbean, Jessica found out that she was pregnant.
“I’ve just got divorced and I’ve finally met somebody and now I’m on the other side of the world and we’re having a baby.
“That’s a proper curveball to be on the end of. So I knew what I had to do to get my wife back – quit Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise.”
He left the door open for a potential return and made a surprise appearance as part of the show’s 10th anniversary with a ghostly cameo.
Viewers flocked to Reddit to share their thoughts on Ben’s exit, with one fan expressing: “It was my favourite series and now the heart of it’s been ripped out.
Ben Miller left the series in season 3 ( Image: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Philip Volkers)
“It just won’t be the same – it’s exactly like what happened when Charlie Sheen left Two and a Half Men, the charm was gone, even though only one cast member left.”
Upon hearing the news of his departure, bobafett86 lamented: “Well that’s depressing news.”
Beatski chimed in: “Well, that’s that ruined. why the hell has this happened?” Lomoeffect expressed disbelief: “What?! I can’t see how the series is going to work without him.”
Ben later welcomed another child with his wife, production executive Jessica Parker, expanding their family to include a son and a daughter.
He had previously tied the knot with actress Belinda Stewart-Wilson in 2004 and they had a son before parting ways in 2011.
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise airs on BBC One on Fridays at 9pm.
