Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise star teases “intense scenes” after overwhelming experience on set
The new recruit is already a fan favourite.
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise star Shaquille Ali-Yebuah has teased what’s to come for the show’s newest addition to the team, Trainee Officer Sebastian ‘Seb’ Rose.
Ali-Yebuah has joined the crime drama on its current season 14. Following a rough start — which saw Seb replacing late TO Benjamin Brice (Anthony J Abraham) — the recruit cop has been finding his footing, aggravating DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) in the process.
Discussing what the overly excited Seb will be up to in the rest of the season, Ali-Yebuah promised his character will be involved in some “intense scenes”.
“You’ll see! I don’t want to spoil anything, but my character has to handle snakes, jump into the ocean, and run through the jungle,” he said.
“There’s a lot of crazy stuff happening,” he continued, adding: “Overall, it’s just been incredible, maybe even a bit overwhelming!”
After starting off on the wrong foot with DI Wilson, Ali-Yebuah is aware Seb is “an underdog with a lot to prove”.
“If you like rooting for the underdog, you’ll love him,” he said. “There’s a great mix of action and comedy with him. He’s warm, fearless, and always willing to help.”
He continued: “He’s quick on his feet and eager to prove himself to DI Mervin Wilson and the team. Though sometimes that eagerness might backfire. But somehow, with a little luck he might just end up doing well…”
Originally from Jamaica, Ali-Yebuah is playing a character who’s a local to Saint Marie — the fictional island in the Lesser Antilles that serves as the dreamy setting for Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise (which is actually filmed in Guadeloupe).
“As a Caribbean actor playing a local from Saint Marie, I felt a responsibility to bring authenticity to the role,” he said, explaining he was keen to immerse himself in the culture and pick up some French and Guadeloupean Creole.
“It was important to embrace the culture, not just for myself, but for the character and the show.”
