Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise fans react over major Richard Poole crossover in spin-off as character returns
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise fans have spotted a major crossover between the series' first-ever detective Richard Poole and the show's first female lead, Mackenzie Clarke
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise fans are convinced the show’s prime female protagonist, Mackenzie Clarke (portrayed by Anna Samson), resembles DI Richard Poole (Ben Miller) – the original investigative lead.
Tonight’s airing of the fresh spin-off, Return to Paradise, marking its second episode, had viewers flooding social media with their observations.
DI Richard Poole, Ben Miller’s much-loved character, met a grim end at the start of the third season of Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise after an ice-pick murder.
But sharp-eyed followers spotted significant parallels between these two pivotal characters.
Devotees swarmed a Facebook fan page to exchange views on Mackenzie and Richard, with one saying, “I liked it! The lead character seems to be like a female Richard Poole or Neville Parker. I hope we see more of Jack in the future.”
Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole (
BBC / Red Planet / Denis Guyenon)
Concurring, another wrote: “Yes, you’re right, very Richard Poole-ish.”
A third chimed in: “Just when I thought DI Richard Poole was not a people-friendly person, up pops DI Mackenzie Clarke.”
Alluding to a scene where Mackenzie heaved her suitcase across the beach – an act reminiscent of Richard Poole’s similar scene in Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise – a fan said: “The DIP DNA is there, a lead character with baggage, quirky supports, cute animal.”
Anna Samson, who embodies Mackenzie, has previously shed light on Return to Paradise and how her role mirrors detective Richard Poole’s.
Anna Samson as Mackenzie Clarke
The star of the show revealed, “So the show, without being a carbon copy of the original, has lots of tips of the hat to the original, not just with the characters but even certain shots are paying homage to the original, like on the beach with the suitcase and not [wearing] an appropriate outfit for the weather. That is certainly a wink and a nod to the original.”
She went on to talk about the comeback of fan-favourite detective Jack Mooney (portrayed by Ardal O’Hanlon).
Anna shared her disappointment at not meeting Ardal: “I didn’t get to meet Ardal because he shot his stuff in London and my stuff in Australia. I want to meet all of [the Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise cast]. I think it is something about playing the lead detective in a Paradise show, so I want to talk to them; I would love to meet them all.”
The third episode’s teaser, now streaming on BBC iPlayer, states: “Three hairdressers return from lunch to find their boss, Bianca Bailey, has been killed.
“The method is strangulation, but the murder weapon remains a mystery, one that Mackenzie is determined to untangle.
It also teases a pivotal decision for Mackenzie: “The other answer that eludes her is whether to take Philomena up on her offer of a permanent position. Is it time for Mackenzie to return home for good?”
