BBC Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise fans spot ‘secret agenda’ behind Commissioner Selwyn’s departure
BBC fans believe Commissioner Selwyn's departure "smells dodgy" after spotting a series of clues on the latest episode of Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise.
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise fans believe there is a sinister reason behind the imminent departure or Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (played by Don Warrington), a beloved cast member on the BBC crime drama. The latest episode confirmed that the show stalwart, who has appeared since the show’s very first episode, would be departing the Saint Marie police force at the end of the week. But after the homicide squad learned there would be a replacement commissioner entering the fold, fans are convinced there is something more sinister going on.
Sterling Fox, played by Holby City’s Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge, was seen stepping into the role as Don Warrington’s beloved character prepares to leave and bringing with him an aura of deceit. It didn’t take long before fans flooded to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their suspicions about the new cast member online. One user penned: “I really think there’s a secret agenda to getting Selwyn out.”
Sterling Fox was seen debuting into the new role (Image: BBC)
Another mused: “Yeah they want Selwyn out of the way for some reason……..if they were getting rid of his job, why is there a replacement?” while a third penned: “No there’s definitely something dodgy going on about getting rid of Selwyn.”
Fox was seen arriving in style – pulling up in a flash car that immediately sets the tone for his character. In his first interaction with Commissioner Selwyn, he described the veteran officer’s workspace as “cute” and interferes in their conversations about an ongoing murder investigation.
Selwyn also tells Mervin that “after tomorrow” when he leaves, he will not be able to formally help him with the ongoing investigation into the Dᴇᴀᴛʜ of his mother, something he’s typically keen to assist him with.
It remains unclear whether Fox will be a permanent fixture on Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise, with the show not confirming if Commissioner Selwyn is truly leaving for good. Fans took an immediate dislike to the new character and implored Selwyn to be saved with the hashtag #saveselwyn.
“Don’t like this swarmy, arrogant t**t! Poor Selwyn“ blasted one fan. Another added: “who is that idiot who’s replacing Selwyn?” and “The commissioner can’t get replaced by that horror”.
In the next episode, Sterling’s character is said to obstruct an active investigation, attempting to halt DI Mervin Wilson’s probe into his mother’s suspicious Dᴇᴀᴛʜ . This hints at a possible clash between the new Commissioner and the detective team, sparking questions about Sterling’s policing methods and what his real motives are on Saint Marie Island.
When previously asked if this season could lead to his character’s departure, Don Warrington told Radio Times: “Well, who knows? Anything can happen in this life.” Don Gilet, who plays DI Wilson, emphasised Warrington’s importance to the show and added to Digital Spy: “His presence is very much needed, otherwise, he wouldn’t still be there, in whatever capacity.”
He described Selwyn’s role as “instrumental” to the series and noted the importance of having that “all knowing” energy that Warrington brings to the show.
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise airs on Fridays from 9pm on BBC One or catch up on BBC iPlayer.
