BBC Death in Paradise icon loses role in twist ‘he hadn’t expected’

*WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD*

Mervin Wilson, played by former  star Don Gilet, has certainly made waves in the Caribbean. However, as the new inspector settles into the role left vacant by DI Neville Parker, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson is confronted with some ‘monumental’ news.

Mervin, who gained widespread recognition on the soap as serial killer Lucas Johnson, plays the straight-talking Londoner DI Mervin Wilson. His character is a stark contrast to anxious and sensitive Neville.

Upon his arrival, Mervin’s prickly demeanour left his colleagues puzzled and doubtful that he was the right replacement for Neville Parker, last seen driving off into the sunset with love interest DS Florence Cassell.

However, more turmoil is heading towards the Honore Police Station. The fourteenth season of Death In Paradise begins with a shocking revelation for Commissioner Selwyn – his position is due to be abolished, reports .

Don Warrington, who has played the Commissioner since the show’s debut season in 2011, opened up about his character’s mindset following the startling news

The actor said: “He’s shocked. It’s not what he expected. It comes as a bolt from the blue. He has to deal with a situation that he hadn’t expected, and it’s making a big change in his life, in his status. He has to work through a crisis, really.”

This unexpected twist is about to create waves throughout the small island community of Saint-Marie, the 73-year-old added: “It’s monumental for all the other characters as well. It affects everybody equally.”

As Selwyn’s path seems set, there’s a twist in the tale with Mayor Catherine Bordey possibly being his saviour. Elizabeth Bourgine hints at her on-screen persona’s pivotal role.

She commented: “She will be, even with Selwyn, helpful as a mayor and as a friend. Because she can have the mayor power and do things. And as a friend, she can be very nice, tender, warm or angry. So we can see Catherine in very different ways in this series, and even with Darlene Curtis (played by Ginny Holder), we have a nice moment.”

The question remains, how will Catherine intervene in Selwyn’s predicament and can her bond with him truly snatch him from the jaws of disaster?

While the outcome is uncertain, the character Mervin is yet to settle into his groove in Saint-Marie, particularly because his brusque detective inspector manner is already chafing his new colleagues with his casual and “rude” demeanour.

On-screen, Mervin may be stirring up drama, but off-screen, Don Gilet was greeted with open arms by his fellow cast members. Don Warrington expressed enthusiasm about the fresh dynamic, remarking: “It’s like turning a page”

Highlighting the invigorating effect of a new actor joining the team, he added: “It’s exciting because it’s a new person bringing their characteristics to it, it’s reinvention. We, as characters, are reinvented by the presence of another person. So, it’s thrilling.”

Shantol Jackson, portraying Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas, emphasises the significance of camaraderie among the cast, especially given the distance from home while shooting in Guadeloupe, a predominantly French-speaking locale.

She said: “We’re away from friends and family for half the year. And on top of that, it’s a French island, so if you’re not fluent in French, it’s very hard to make friends, or even develop any kind of relationships outside of the people you work with.”

The cast made a concerted effort to support Gilet during his initial period on set. The star added:”We’ve been there and we were very much like, OK, we have to ensure that we take care of him, even for the first couple of months, ease him in, because we know how hard it can be, how lonely it can be.

“We were happy to have him and happy to welcome him. And very soon, he just kind of relaxed and eased into it.”

Death in Paradise season 14 arrives on One and iPlayer at 9pm on Friday 31st January 2025