BBC Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise’s Don Warrington issues honest four-word verdict on Don Gilet
Don Warrington recalled meeting Don Gilet when he auditioned to become the lead detective in Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise.
Don Warrington shared his true thoughts on Don Gilet (Image: BBC)
Don Warrington has fond memories of meeting Don Gilet for the first time during his audition for Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise.
One of the longest-serving characters on the show, Warrington has portrayed Commissioner Selwyn Patterson since the BBC series first kicked off in 2011.
The 72-year-old has already seen four lead detectives come and go, with Gilet signing on as the fifth following Ralf Little’s exit last year.
But this isn’t the first time the pair have worked together. The actors appeared in the 2017 BBC4 radio drama, Deacon, but Warrington doesn’t recall their encounter.
However, Warrington is unable to forget Gilet’s audition for Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise. He said “our eyes lit up” when Gilet, 58, came in.
Gilet made his debut as the new lead detective on Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise during the Christmas special (Image: BBC)
Warrington continued: “Don G has a vibration to him, which I thought suited the role very well. I was very keen on him getting the job because I thought we could work well together.”
Gilet opened up about the warm response he received from his co-stars, telling Radio Times: “They welcomed me with open arms, and it’s not changed. There’s still this camaraderie that I’m so thankful and blessed for. I’m now part of the family.”
Gilet, best known for his role as serial killer Lucas Johnson on EastEnders, made his debut as detective inspector Mervin Wilson in the Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise Christmas special.
Mervin arrived in Saint Marie on the hunt for his biological mother, however, discovered she had died just a few months prior. Despite claiming he planned to return to London, something must keep the new detective on the island.
The Christmas special was watched by more than seven million viewers (Image: BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Denis Guyenon)
The special episode was watched by more than seven million viewers, making it the second highest-viewed drama over the festive period.
However, with his main aim to impress BBC bosses, the Holby City star is reluctant to take comfort in the impressive viewing figures.
“I don’t want to sound like I’m being clichéd or precious, but nobody does the job for ratings,” he confessed. “I want to know that the execs and my bosses like what I was doing.”
Gilet added: “I like to know that my family and friends enjoyed what they saw, especially ones that were fans.”
The BBC has confirmed that the first episode of series 14 will air on Friday, January 31 at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
