Don Gilet, the latest addition to Death in Paradise, has opened up about his character’s rocky start on the Caribbean island of Saint Marie. The former actor steps into the spotlight as the new lead detective following Ralf Little’s departure from the role of DI Neville Parker.
Don is set to make his first appearance as DI Mervin Wilson in the much-anticipated Death in Paradise Christmas special, which will be broadcast on 22 December.
In a recent chat on The One Show, the actor gave viewers a sneak peek into what to expect from DI Wilson as he acclimatises to island life.
“He’s not really liked to start with. He doesn’t wanna be there, doesn’t like the place, the pace of the place… All this is working against him and against his methods,” Don confessed.
Don Gilet discussed his new TV role on The One Show (Image: BBC)
“He doesn’t suffer fools gladly. He doesn’t have much patience, he’s a guy who doesn’t stand still. Everything needs to be happening like that, at the pace of London, and if it’s not, he gets impatient. And that’s when you decide if you’re gonna like him or not because he rubs his colleagues up the wrong way,” he continued.
Don further explained that although his character is meant to depart the island, a murder case crops up while he’s on a “kind of” holiday, drawing him into the seasonal whodunit despite his reluctance.
The One Show hosts Alex Jones and Clara Amfo previewed a scene where Mervin’s superior calls him just as he’s about to board a plane off the island. Despite his eagerness to leave, his attempts are thwarted, reports .
Don will play DI Mervin Wilson in Death in Paradise (Image: (Image: BBC))
The teaser for the much-anticipated Death in Paradise Christmas episode reveals: “We’re back on the beautiful island of Saint Marie, and this time with a new detective inspector in tow. Londoner Mervin Wilson ruffles some feathers as he clashes with the island’s way of life.
“But he quickly sinks his teeth into one of the team’s most puzzling murder cases yet: three men, all unconnected apart from the fact that they’re dressed as Santa Claus, are shot with the exact same gun at the exact same time.”
“As Mervin wrangles with this impossible murder, his colleagues struggle with their new boss’s unusual working methods. And Dwayne’s Christmas with his father doesn’t exactly go to plan..”
The Death in Paradise Christmas Special will air on 22 December at 8.30pm on One and iPlayer.