Beyond Paradise series 3: Everything we know so far, including fabulous guest cast and start date
Beyond Paradise’s festive episode was a heartwarmer for fans, as Humphrey and Martha tentatively continued their fostering journey – so what’s in store for series 3 and when does it start?
The Christmas special saw the thoroughly likeable couple face a tricky personal challenge, while Humphrey and the team also had to solve two crimes.
As the credits rolled, Beyond Paradise fans were understandably left wondering about the upcoming series 3 start date. So here’s everything we know so far…
***Warning: minor spoilers from the Beyond Paradise Christmas Special 2024 ahead***
Will there be a series 3 of Beyond Paradise?
In April 2024, BBC One confirmed that there will be a series 3 of Beyond Paradise. In a tweet sent out after series 2’s finale, they said: “Missing us already? Good news: there’s another #BeyondParadise Christmas special coming your way, followed by series 3 next year!”
Like D.e.a.t.h in Paradise – currently airing its 14th season – there’s no reason why the Devon-based spin-off can’t run for years and years.
When’s the start date?
The BBC has confirmed the start date for Beyond Paradise series 3 is Friday, March 28, 2025 at 8pm. This is just before D.e.a.t.h in Paradise series 14 comes to an end at 9pm.
Series 1 kicked off February 2023, with Kris Marshall reprising his role of DI Humphrey Goodman five years after he left Saint Marie in D.e.a.t.h in Paradise.
After a Christmas special in 2023, series 2 started in March 2024… So series 3 of Beyond Paradise starts around the same time in 2025.
What happened at the end of Beyond Paradise series 2?
Series 2 ended with future seasons very much in mind – the impending fostering journey of Martha and Humphrey, not to mention the mounting crimes occurring in the fictional Devonshire town of Shipton Abbott.
The series finale of Beyond Paradise season 2 was a happy one, even though Humphrey Goodman and Martha Lloyd called off their wedding.
In the end, Martha and Humphrey agreed NOT to get married. However, they vowed to do so in the future, and threw a not-getting-married party on the beach.
Instead, they got closer to fostering a child. Viewers will know that, after being unable to conceive a child, the pair decided to become foster parents.
In the Beyond Paradise Christmas Special 2024, Humphrey and Martha’s fostering journey continued as they opened their home to introverted teenager Jaiden.
At first, Martha struggled to bond with Jaiden – until she found “the secret” to it all. Of course, she wanted everything to be perfect, but having their first teenager at Christmas was always going to be tough.
Initially, Jaiden came across as “rude”. He was sitting alone in his room all the time, on his phone. Bus Martha eventually discovered that Jaiden was talking to his baby brother Ben, who has a different dad who he is living with in Ireland.
Looking at the cast list for Beyond Paradise series 3, it does not look like Austin Taylor will be returning as Jaiden.
Beyond Paradise series 3 plot
Beyond Paradise series 3 will see the Shipton Abbott police force tackle plenty of intriguing new cases, including a body that’s found in the river, a “baffling” chocolate box poisoning, a “historic farming feud” and a “spiking incident” on the water.
Meanwhile, Martha and Humphrey must “overcome unexpected hurdles as foster parents” when they take charge of a nine-year-old girl.
Their fostering journey isn’t made any easier by the reappearance of Martha’s old flame, Archie Hughes, played by returning cast member Jamie Bamber.
Tim Key, executive producer at Red Planet Pictures, said: “We are delighted to be back in the beautiful South West, filming what promises to be our strongest series yet, packed full of mysteries, surprises, challenges and lots of heart.”
He added: “We love making the show and the audience response to it is fantastic, and it’s especially exciting to welcome back Jamie Bamber to Shipton Abbott. We can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve been up to.”
Who’s in the cast of returning BBC detective drama?
The third series of Beyond Paradise sees the return of regular cast members Kris Marshall, Zahra Ahmadi, Dylan Llewellyn, and Felicity Montagu. Together they make up the team of Shipton Abbey police department.
Kris’ onscreen wife Sally Bretton will also return as Martha, alongside Barbara Flynn who plays her mum Anne.
Meanwhile, Jamie Bamber will reprise his role of Archie Hughes, a role he first played in 2023’s first series. He was absent in series 2.
Jade Harrison and Melina Sinadinou also return as Chief Superintendent Charlie Woods, and Zoe Williams respectively.
Also returning are Chris Jenks, Eva Feiler, Amalia Vitale, and last but not least, Selwyn the duck!
Who guest stars in Beyond Paradise series 3?
The stellar guest cast includes Outnumbered star Hugh Dennis, DI Ray’s Steve Oram, Changing Ends’ Gabby Best, Holby City’s Chizzy Akudolu, Miss Austen’s Kevin McNally, and Men Behaving Badly’s Caroline Quentin. Not bad at all!
Series 3 will also be introducing Bella Rei Blue Stevenson. The young actress will play Rosie in the cast. Rosie is a new foster child for Martha and Humphrey. She’s nine, and “brings more challenges than they anticipated”.
Beyond Paradise series 3 starts on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
