Dᴇᴀᴛʜ In Paradise’s Ardal O’Hanlon’s exit explained as Jack Mooney named ‘best detective’
As Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise sees DI Mervin Wilson join the team, fans have been re-evaluating their favourite detectives from the series - and one star has been named the best
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise has made its much-anticipated return to BBC One, featuring Mervin Wilson (portrayed by Don Gilet) who is gradually getting accustomed to life on the picturesque Saint Marie. In a surprising turn of events, he finds himself at a local women’s football match where, during half-time, the team’s star player is shockingly discovered dead in the locker room.
Mervyn feels the heat from Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (played by Don Warrington), especially since the murder occurred right under everyone’s noses. As fans get to grips with the newest addition to the show’s cast, they’ve been fondly recalling their favourite detectives from previous seasons.
Ardal O’Hanlon graced the series as DI Jack Mooney starting in season six, portraying a recent widower who was mourning his wife’s Dᴇᴀᴛʜ . He remained a part of the team until season nine, when he decided it was time to face his grief and head back to London with his daughter.
Upon his departure, he reflected: “I’ve spent the last four summers in Guadeloupe playing DI Jack Mooney, solving over 20 murder cases in my time there. It’s been a hugely rewarding and unforgettable experience, working with incredibly talented actors, directors, and crew while discovering a magical part of the world.”
His decision to leave was also driven by a desire to return to stand-up comedy and to dedicate more time to his family. Speaking to OK!, he shared: “I suppose I didn’t think I’d be doing anything for a fourth series. I really thought three series would be the max, you know.
“Because it’s quite a demanding show… it’s a tough old show in terms of being away from home for so long and in terms of the conditions that you film in the heat and the humidity.
“I think [Melanie – his wife] found it very tough because we’ve got three big grown-up kids living in the house and she’s got a lot on her plate, so I think she was finding it tougher as the years went on.”
“And I was missing them all hugely as well, so I think it made sense. ”
Numerous fans have taken to Reddit to declare him the best inspector of the series. Ged_UK stated: “I always liked Jack. Down to earth, realistic and actually fitted in.”
Plastic-Leek-3306 agreed: “I love Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise because it’s a warm and feel good show, despite the murder. I think Jack adds to that the best so it’s always him for me.”
Steve3146 chimed in: “Jack definitely, the fish out of water English detective was such a cliche after a while, Jack was a breath of fresh air.
“I loved the way he was polite but very rude in his questioning. He’d clasp his hands together and say something like, ‘I’m so sorry for your loss…. but how long have you known your wife was having an affair.'”
Carolinagirl9311 added: “Definitely Jack for me. So personable which is a wonderful trait.”
While Domak04 concluded: “Jack! He’s a very warm, realistic, down to earth kinda character who brought such a dad vibe to the role!”
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise airs on BBC One on Fridays at 9pm
