BBC Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise’s Humphrey Goodman actor pays sweet tribute to co-star as they make return

Beyond Paradise and Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise actor Kris Marshall, known for portraying detective Humphrey Goodman in the beloved BBC drama, has expressed heartfelt praise for one of his co-stars.

Jamie Bamber, who plays Martha Lloyd’s (Sally Bretton) former flame Archie, initially departed Beyond Paradise at the end of the first series after attempting to kiss the cafe owner.

However, his return in the third series rekindled an unexpected romance with Humphrey’s colleague, Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi).

Reflecting on Jamie’s comeback, Kris shared: “Working with Jamie is fantastic. It’s great to have another actor of a similar age and experience on set, especially since we’ve both been in the industry since the 90s.

“While we didn’t know each other well back then, we have a lot of mutual friends, and it’s great to have someone around who shares that history. Jamie is a seasoned actor and a lovely person who brings a lot of fun to the set,” reports Cornwall Live.

Archie plays Martha’s ex

He added, “We get along really well, and it’s always a pleasure working with him.”

Despite Archie kissing Martha in series one, the actor acknowledged that the detective “doesn’t feel threatened” by his return.

Kris continued: “He’s always been a confident and emotionally strong person, and he’s very secure in his relationship with Martha.

“In past series, his issues stemmed from Archie working so closely with Martha but this time, Humphrey isn’t concerned. He’s more bemused than anything else. He isn’t losing sleep over it and is accepting of the situation.”

Friday’s episode of Beyond Paradise saw the detectives investigating poisonings(Image: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Joss Barratt )

Sally Bretton shared her perspective on her character’s feelings regarding her ex’s reappearance, saying: “Martha’s completely fine with Archie being around as long as Humphrey is okay with it. She likes him, but she’s clear that their past is firmly in the past.

“There’s mutual respect and closeness between them, but absolutely no romance. It’s all very platonic.”

The actress also expressed her enjoyment of working with her colleague, Jamie, stating: “Working with Jamie (Bamber) is always a joy.

“He’s such a talented actor, and I love doing scenes with him. He brings so much to the table, so it’s always fun to share those moments on screen.”

Kris Marshall plays Humphrey Goodman(Image: BBC)

Jamie himself spoke about his decision to rejoin the cast of the Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise spin-off following his character’s departure, describing it as an easy choice.

“I couldn’t have been more delighted when Tim Key, our executive producer, suggested we meet for lunch in London,” he revealed.

“He pitched a storyline to me that would bring Archie back. It really surprised me – it wasn’t what I was expecting. I love that part of the world and I love all the people involved. It’s such a warm-hearted work environment.

“The vibe you get on-screen is very much echoed behind the camera. So for me, it was a no-brainer! The storyline was really fun, and I liked what Archie had to do this time. The character had moved on, he’s matured and learned from his previous heartaches. Hopefully, viewers will enjoy the ride.”