Sara Martins’ Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise exit explained after Camille Bordey hailed ‘favourite’ character

BBC One’s Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise is back on our screens, with Detective Mervin Wilson (portrayed by Don Gilet) finally beginning to settle into life on Saint Marie. The latest series also introduces Sebastian Rose (played by Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) as a rookie officer.

Over the years, the show has seen many characters come and go, including Camille Bordey, a former undercover investigator who was reassigned to Honoré Police after her cover was compromised during DI Richard Poole’s (Ben Miller) initial investigation. She remained a key character until the fourth season when she accepted an undercover assignment in Paris.

Actress Sara Martins described her decision to leave the show as “tremendously hard”, but necessary for personal growth. Speaking to What’s On TV?, she said: “The only way to grow in life is to take risks, even if it means losing something you love, or leaving a place that’s comfortable. You should always go forward and take new challenges.

“We wanted to make the best exit, and they didn’t want to kill me off, there was no reason to. And who knows? There’s always the possibility I can come back.”

The star indeed made a comeback to the series twice, first in its tenth season and then again in the thirteenth. Reflecting on what she wouldn’t miss about her time on the show, she revealed: “Those 12-hour days, and then having to go home afterwards and learn lines in English. Sometimes, being away from home can be tough too. And also I won’t miss the sound of the cockerels.”

It seems she parted ways with the series to venture into new acting roles, with the French starlet taking parts in productions such as American Odyssey and Those About to Die.

Show enthusiasts have actively debated their top ten favourite characters on Reddit, with Camille securing a spot within the top two several times over. She was also crowned the top character outside the lead detective role.

Wonderful_Citron_518 confessed: “I stopped watching after Camille left, couldn’t stand Humphrey.”

PerceptionTemporary9 said: “I’m rewatching the series and she really is the best.”

Pebbles28c expressed: “I like that she spoke her mind and had great ideas. She pushed back if she disagreed. I feel the others after her were just there to prop up the Inspector. I like them all (or most), but Camille is, by far, my favorite.”

Fivezero_ca summed up their sentiment: “By far my fave! She was such a great and funny actor, too. I like to pay attention to her even when she’s in the background of a scene. Always hoped they might bring her back as a DI one day.”

Catch Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise on BBC One, Fridays at 9pm.