Devotees of Death in Paradise have been left in shock as the beloved series appears to bid farewell to Selwyn Patterson (portrayed by Don Warrington).
Last week’s opening episode dropped a bombshell when JP Hooper (Tobi Bakare) informed the Commissioner that his position was being scrapped, much to everyone’s dismay.
Since the show’s inception, Don has played Selwyn and has collaborated with all the main detectives, including the latest, Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet).
In the latest episode, troubled Selwyn confided in Catherine (Elizabeth Bourgine) about his job’s uncertain future.
“Selwyn, JP just called and told me about your job and that they’re phasing it out,” Catherine expressed. “I knew something wasn’t right about you. But they can’t do this,” reports .
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Selwyn Patterson (Image: BBC)
“But, it seems they can and they have,” Selwyn responded somberly. “The Chief Commissioner officially informed me yesterday. It seems it comes back to one thing, to save money.”
“But we need you here,” a distressed Catherine insisted. “The island needs you, so, what are you going to do?”
To which Selwyn could only muster: “I don’t know.”
The revelation of Selwyn’s potential exodus from the series has sent waves of sadness across its fanbase, prompting numerous viewers to voice their upset on social media platforms.
One dismayed viewer posted on a Facebook fan page: “Without the Commissioner there is no Death in Paradise.”
Don Gilet and Don Warrington in Death in Paradise (Image: BBC)
An emotional fan shared with a crying-face emoji: “Oh no it wouldn’t be the same without Selwyn.”
And another alarmed fan stressed: “They better not get rid of Selwyn.”
Someone else said: “No, the Commissioner is one of the most interesting characters,” as one shared, capturing the curiosity around the figure. “I want to know more about him, not see him being shipped off.”
A fifth admirer made an impassioned plea, reminding producers, “They can’t get rid of Serlwyn! He is so much more than the Commissioner.”
Expressing dismay, another stated emphatically: “Nooo, they can’t get rid of him, the worst decision ever.”
Discussing the Commissioner’s on-screen future and his reaction to unwelcome news, Don confessed, “It’s shocking for him, and he does his best to get the superiors to change their decision and see things differently.
“It’s very interesting because we discover other aspects of Selwyn, and that’s always the joy of playing a character like him – there are so many different sides to him.”
He added to the Mirror: “You think you know about somebody, but due to life events, you learn more about them. He’s opening up, he’s a bit like a flower coming in to bloom.”
Death in Paradise returns next Friday at 9pm on One.