Death in Paradise newcomer Shaquille Ali-Yebuah has revealed his past connection to co-star Don Gilet as the pair reunited.
The actor, 29, recently joined the cast and has taken on the role as Trainee Officer Sebastian Rose. He stars alongside a number of famous faces including lead detective Don, who has taken over from Ralf Little.
He first appeared in the 2024 Christmas special and is now leading his first full season as DI Mervin Wilson. Before Shaquille made his debut on the hit show, he shared how he previously worked with co-star Don on a different project.
When asked what it was like working with his new cast member, he admitted that it was “amazing,” adding: “I met Ginny in the audition, so we already had a good dynamic.
“Don Gilet and I had worked together years ago on a radio production, so it was great reuniting with him; and Shantol is Jamaican, so we had that bond there, too. The cast were so welcoming.”
Death in Paradise Don Gilet has a connection with his new co-star (Image: BBC)
Shaquille continued: “Ginny introduced me to the local fisherman and juice man. Don Gilet was as new as I was, so we were both figuring it out. But I didn’t wait—I got a car and explored the island on my own.”
The star added: “I went to every beach, market, and mall in my first two weeks. When I told the locals on set, they were shocked — they couldn’t believe I had found all these places on my own. But I believe if you’re going to be living somewhere, you need to know it inside out.”
Shaquille’s character came into the spotlight following the tragic death of Officer Benjamin Brice, the Honoré Police Department remained short on numbers and needed as many hands on deck as possible to close the case.
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Death in Paradise newcomer Shaquille Ali-Yebuah (Image: BBC)
After Mervin flagged the team’s concerns to Selwyn, the commissioner had a candidate in mind, Sebastian.
He completed the training scheme before Officer Brice, but had yet to find a placement and was now spending his days handing out flyers on the beach wearing a pineapple outfit.
But has since been given his uniform and is now part of the team – well, on a “provisional basis”.
Death in Paradise airs on One and iPlayer on Fridays.