Death In Paradise is set to introduce a new detective to the sun-soaked beaches of Saint Marie, and fans are eager to learn more about actor Don Gilet.
Death In Paradise season 14 is fast approaching, with its Christmas special scheduled to air on Sunday, December 22, on One. This episode will mark the debut of DI Mervin Wilson, portrayed by Don Gilet.
As the festive episode draws near, fans are keen to delve into the off-screen life of the 57-year-old actor.
Born in January 1967 in Walsall, West Midlands, Gilet was raised in Caldmore alongside his parents and sister, but now calls London home.
Gilet’s first foray into acting came in 1993 when he appeared in an episode of the sitcom Desmond’s.
He then moved on to feature in shows such as Demob, Brothers and Sisters, Casualty and Cutting It.
Inside Don Gilet’s life off-screen as he joins Death in Paradise (Image: BBC)
Actor Don Gilet was Lucas Johnson in EastEnders, the killer ex-husband of Denise Fox. (Image: BBC)
His first significant role was in the show Babyfather in 2001, where he played Johnny Lindo and worked alongside his future co-star Diane Parish.
Before reuniting with Parish, Gilet starred as DS Nicky Cole in the show 55 Degrees North, and also appeared in Doctor Who, Meadowlands and Holby City.
Perhaps his most notable role to date has been as ‘ religious murderer Lucas Johnson, who imprisoned his wife Denise Fox (Parish), leading her family to believe she was dead.
He recently made a brief return to the soap as Denise visited her ex-husband in prison while grappling with the events surrounding Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) on Christmas Day 2023.
Fast-forward to the present, and Gilet is all set to fill Ralf Little’s shoes as the latest sleuth on Death In Paradise following Little’s departure earlier in the year.
To gear up for the role, the actor imposed some strict personal regulations.
Living merely minutes away from a stunning Guadeloupe beach where Death In Paradise is shot, the actor prohibited himself from taking a dip in the sea.
He even went as far as preventing his father, sister, and grown son from dropping by the island, sharing with Radio Times his commitment to remaining undistracted from script rehearsals “so that you know it inside out”.
Gilet is eager to show the series’ producers they didn’t make the wrong decision in picking him and he’s determined not to leave them with “regret the choice they made”.
Actor Don Gilet is rumoured to be in a relationship with Happy Valley actress Siobhan Finneran. (Image: GETTY)
Previously wed to actress Tracy Whitwell, known from her roles in Soldier Soldier, Peep Show, and Playing The Field, Gilet and his ex resided in Bedfordshire and have a grown son named Flynn.
Of late, rumours swirl that Gilet may be courting romance anew with Happy Valleys Siobhan Finneran, his co-star in The Stranger and The Loch.
Spotted clasping hands on the set of The Loch in 2017, and yet again at this years TV Choice Awards, the duo might not have put a label on it, but their affection seems evident.
But not every TV stint has been hassle-free for Gilet; he encountered an uncomfortable moment during a segment on The One Show three years past.
In the midst of a VT interview, host Alex Jones was met with technical gremlins as she tried to converse about the actor’s stint on , but he struggled with the audio.
As she amped up her volume in an attempt to be heard, the actor retorted: “Alex, it’s not about shouting. It’s the signal!”
A flustered Alex quickly said sorry for the poor line, just before they lost connection completely.
Death In Paradise returns on Sunday, December 22, at 8.30pm on One and iPlayer.