Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise new detective is ‘rude and insensitive’ but co-star is ‘lovely’
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise actress Shantol Jackson has opened up about the arrival of the show's new detective, DI Mervin Wilson, who is played by Don Gilet, and things don't get off to the best start
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise star says new detective is ‘rude’ but praises ‘lovely’ co-star (Image: BBC)
Don Gilet is set to grace our screens in the much-anticipated Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise Christmas special, taking on the role of DI Mervin Wilson. He steps into the shoes left by Ralf Little’s DI Neville Parker.
As the countdown to his debut on 22 December begins, Don and his fellow cast members have shared insights into the upcoming series. Shantol Jackson, who portrays Naomi Thomas, has dished on her character’s initial take on the new detective, hinting at a rocky start in the holiday episode.
Shantol described Naomi’s first encounter with Mervin as less than ideal, saying: “Rude, insensitive and impatient! During the Christmas special, Naomi and Darlene want Mervin to leave but they understand that the team need a Detective Inspector.
“He complains about the island a lot and is offensive, and that doesn’t sit well with her, or Darlene! She makes these feelings known to him, but she does realise that he is very capable and intuitive.”
Despite the on-screen tension, Shantol’s real-life interactions with Don Gilet have been nothing but delightful. She warmly welcomed the newcomer to the show, praising him as “lovely” and a “jokester”.
DI Neville Parker has been replaced for the Christmas special (Image: BBC)
“He’s lovely! He’s a jokester. I really enjoyed working with him. He comes to set every morning always ready to jump in and cares a lot about the other actors. Having people who come in and set the tone for the day like that, it really helps you, as well as the chemistry between the cast. He also plays just as hard as he works,” she disclosed.
Shantol further commented: “He likes to have fun and he’s very aware that he’s coming into a system that’s been running for a long time, so he must come in and try to fit into something that’s already existed, and I think he did very well.”
The Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise Christmas Special airs on December 22 (Image: BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Denis Guyenon)
The synopsis for the Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise Christmas Special reads: “When holiday maker Stuart Fullwell (Marcus Brigstocke), fresh from performing karaoke dressed as Santa, is found shot dead on the beach by a young boy Ollie – son of Jamie (Jim Howick) – the Saint Marie police team kick into action. But with no Detective Inspector in place of the recently departed Neville Parker, are they capable of tackling such a big case?
“With the pressure mounting, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) is relieved to receive some encouraging news as he learns a British detective is holidaying on the island. Following a somewhat disappointing solo trip, DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) is aboard a flight back home to London ready to take off, though is informed by his boss that he’s to be seconded to Honore, whether he likes it or not..”
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise Christmas Special airs on December 22 on BBC One.
