Beyond Paradise confirms character forced out of show amid brutal budget cuts – as star speaks out on ‘really, really tough’ exit scenes
Beyond Paradise confirmed a character exit from the BBC show – as the police team are hit with brutal budget cuts.
A spin-off to Death in Paradise, the premise follows DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) and his fellow officers in fictitious village Shipton Abbott, in Devon.
Since the show’s debut, his team has been DS Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi), PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn) and office support Margo Martins (Felicity Montagu).
Although the first episode of series four, which debuted on Friday (March 27), revealed unwelcome changes are on the horizon.
The superintendent has moved on, while Humphrey’s team needs to reduce by one member – and he has the unfortunate decision in his hands.
Having grown close bonds with all three, it is naturally quite a dilemma for the hapless detective.
Beyond Paradise has confirmed a character exit – with unwelcome changes on the horizon for the Shipton Abbott police team
Beloved DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) is faced with an impossible decision concerning his team
Speaking to Radio Times, Esther Williams actress Zahra Ahmadi addressed Humphrey’s impossible decision.
She told the publication: ‘He’s put in such a difficult situation because Humphrey has so much heart, and he’s so passionate about his job and about his team.
‘It’s so tricky for me to say this, because I have to be respectful towards Death in Paradise, but I think he’s really found his pocket in Shipton Abbott.
‘Perhaps that’s also to do with the place he’s at with Martha and his relationship, but he just sits really well in the pocket of his life where he’s at in this present moment.
‘And to have that compromised in the way that it is is really, really tough for him.’
Continuing, Zahra suggested Esther could ‘fall on her sword’ by sacrificing herself to protect Kelby and Margo from being let go.
It comes as a slew of guest stars will join the regular cast members in Shipton Abbott this series.
This includes Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie Walters, 64, who portrayed Stacey’s mother Gwen throughout the much-loved BBC sitcom.
Other new guest stars include Susan George, Colin McFarlane, Michael Cochrane (The Archers) and Vincent Franklin.
And joining them are Alex Macqueen, Tristan Sturrock, Andrea Lowe, Rachel Cassidy, Emily Stott, Rina Mahoney, Susan Penhaligon, James Clay, Kenneth Collard and Narinda Samra, to name a few.
A new character, James Smith (Vincent Franklin) put Humphrey in a difficult situation – but what will the detective do?
The team’s new mysteries blend fact and folklore, including the death of a novelist who predicted their demise.
In addition, viewers will also see a magical night of Dark Morris that soon turns sour, a stolen treasure map that suddenly reappears, and the alleged sighting of a vengeful mermaid lurking out at sea.
Humphrey and Martha (Sally Bretton) launch into married life as they search for a new home, whilst Humphrey wrestles with an impossible decision that may change the lives of everyone at the station forever.
As ardent fans will know, Humphrey originally appeared on Death In Paradise from 2014 to 2017.
During his time on Saint Marie, he reconnected with Martha, an acquaintance from back home, after divorcing his first wife.
He ultimately left the island to be with her, with Ardal O’Hanlon’s DI Jack Mooney taking his place.
Beyond Paradise airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
