Is Dwayne leaving Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise… again?
So soon? How will Dwayne's big decision affect his future on the show?
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise Christmas spoilers follow.
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise‘s Christmas special was brimming with drama. Between the murdered Santas, the arrival of new detective Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) – and tension that brought to Saint Marie – plus his emotional baggage, there was so much going on.
So, if you didn’t catch Dwayne’s (Danny John-Jules) life-altering decision we don’t entirely blame you.
After an episode spent in witness protection guarding Santa victim Tyrus (his least-favorite person) Dwayne had a revelation.
Spending time away from his ailing father Nelson (Ram John Holder) during the festivities caused him to reflect on what little time they potentially had left together.
While he did manage to orchestrate it so that he could spend Christmas day with his father (and Tyrus with his daughter) this wasn’t enough for Dwayne, who decided to make a more permanent change by way of handing in his badge.
“I couldn’t do both things,” he said to Darlene (Ginny Holder), referring to spending time with Nelson and working for Saint Marie’s police department.
“I’ve just realised that there are far more important things that I need to be doing in my life right now,” he said to his dad, referring to the plentiful good days ahead of them.
So what does that mean for his character? Could Danny be leaving Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise having only just returned? Here’s what we know.
Is Dwayne leaving Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise?
Danny John-Jules’ Dwayne first exited the show in season seven when he left to go on an “epic voyage” with his dad and returned earlier this year in the season 13 finale. Viewers barely got used to his warm and energetic presence before he declared his intention to hang up his uniform.
For fans hoping that he would be sticking around a little longer, there is some hope. Dwayne only mentioned handing in his badge, not leaving the island where he and his father both live.
Speaking on his decision to leave six years ago John-Jules told the Daily Mail:
“I was in the show for seven years and, you know what? I did the same interview for seven years.
“I had the same questions from 100 journalists, so I thought, ‘Okay, it’s time to go. I think, my character has gone nowhere.'”
However, the actor spoke of his return to the show and his character fondly, stating:
“Dwayne is like a pair of your old favourite trainers, as soon as I put them back on, I’m transported to his own little world that exists within Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise.
“He’s a Marmite character – you can’t live with him, but you can’t live without him.”
Misunderstanding of Marmite aside, It’s unlikely John-Jules is done with Saint Marie just yet, having only just arrived back, but it’s possible we could expect a smaller role than initially anticipated as he navigates what his new life looks like without policing on the island.
This could also offer other opportunities for new, fresh storylines, fulfilling John-Jules’ need for a creative challenge. Still, we’ll have to wait and see.
