BBC Dᴇᴀᴛʜ In Paradise’s Selwyn Patterson rocked by ‘monumental’ twist as new season unfolds
BBC's Dᴇᴀᴛʜ In Paradise is set to return with a brand new series and it's safe to say the show's resident characters, including Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, have plenty to contend with.
Mervin Wilson, played by former EastEnders star Don Gilet, has certainly made waves in the Caribbean. However, as a new inspector begins to fill the shoes left by DI Neville Parker, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson is confronted with some huge news.
Don Gilet, who gained widespread recognition on the BBC soap as serial killer Lucas Johnson, portrays the forthright Londoner DI Mervin Wilson, a character starkly different from his predecessor Ralf Little’s sensitive and anxious Neville.
Upon his introduction, Mervin’s demeanour left his colleagues puzzled and doubtful that he was the right replacement for Neville Parker, who left the island with DS Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert).
However, more turmoil is heading towards the Honore Police Station. The fourteenth season of Dᴇᴀᴛʜ In Paradise commences with an unpleasant surprise for Selwyn – his role as Commissioner is due to be axed.
Discussing the impending shift, actor Don Warrington, who has embodied the Commissioner since the show’s start in 2011, has shed light on his character’s mindset following the shocking revelation, reports the Mirror.
The huge news will also send ripples through the small island of Saint-Marie as the actor added: “It’s monumental for all the other characters as well. It affects everybody equally.”
However, just when Selwyn’s fate seems to be decided, one key character could potentially disrupt the plans – Mayor Catherine Bordey.
When questioned about her on-screen persona and her involvement in Selwyn’s predicament, actress Elizabeth Bourgine hints:”She will be, even with Selwyn, helpful as a mayor and as a friend.
“Because she can have the mayor power and do things. And as a friend, she can be very nice, tender, warm or angry. So we can see Catherine in very different ways in this series, and even with Darlene Curtis (played by Ginny Holder), we have a nice moment.
How will she assist Selwyn and could her friendship truly rescue him from his impending doom?
While this remains uncertain for Selwyn, Mervin is still finding his footing in Saint-Marie, especially since the brusque detective inspector has unsettled his new colleagues with his relaxed and “rude” demeanour.
While Mervin stirs up drama on screen, the cast of Dᴇᴀᴛʜ In Paradise ensured a warm reception for actor Don Gilet behind the scenes. Don expressed his enthusiasm about the new arrival, commenting: “It’s like turning a page. It’s exciting because it’s a new person bringing their characteristics to it, it’s reinvention. We, as characters, are reinvented by the presence of another person. So, it’s thrilling.”
Shantol Jackson, who is known for playing Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas in the BBC show, highlighted the significance of camaraderie among the cast, especially given the distance from home while filming in Guadeloupe, where French is predominantly spoken.
She said: “We’re away from friends and family for half the year. And on top of that, it’s a French island, so if you’re not fluent in French, it’s very hard to make friends, or even develop any kind of relationships outside of the people you work with.
“We’ve been there and we were very much like, OK, we have to ensure that we take care of him, even for the first couple of months, ease him in, because we know how hard it can be, how lonely it can be. We were happy to have him and happy to welcome him. And very soon, he just kind of relaxed and eased into it.”
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise season 14 arrives on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm on Friday 31st January 2025.
