BBC Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise inspectors in order including one you definitely forgot about
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise.
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise has undergone numerous changes since its premiere 14 years ago, with a host of detectives solving countless murders on the island of Saint Marie.
Since the popular BBC cosy crime drama first aired, it has seen a constant rotation of detectives, either leaving the island for a fresh start or meeting their untimely end.
There’s still some time before Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise returns for both its Christmas special and series 15 so in the meantime, here’s a look at all of the show’s detective inspectors so far.
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise inspectors in order
Detective Inspector Charlie Hulme – Hugo Speer
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise’s first detective was DI Charlie Hulme, played by actor Hugo Speer.(Image: BBC)
DI Charlie Hulme may not have had a long stint in Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise, but technically, he was the first detective that launched the successful franchise.
In the inaugural episode which aired in October 2011, Charlie only appeared in the initial scenes as he was fatally shot with a silenced pistol in a locked panic room.
By the episode’s conclusion, it was revealed that his partner DS Lily Thompson (Lenora Crichlow) was the one who murdered him, as he was investigating a people smuggling operation she was involved in.
Detective Inspector Richard Poole – Ben Miller
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ In Paradise’s DI Richard Poole played by actor Ben Miller.(Image: BBC)
DI Richard Poole was swiftly introduced in the first episode, having been dispatched from London to Saint Marie to investigate DI Hulme’s murder.
Despite his aversion to the beach life, Poole chose to stay on the island for the subsequent three years.
Then, in 2014 when season three premiered, DI Poole was shockingly murdered with an ice pick at a university reunion party.
By the conclusion of the first episode, it was revealed that he was murdered by fellow former student Sasha Moore (Helen Baxendale), who feared he was on the brink of exposing her for a decades-old identity theft.
Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman – Kris Marshall
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise’s Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman is played by actor Kris Marshall.(Image: BBC)
Much like his predecessor, DI Goodman was dispatched to Saint Marie to probe into DI Poole’s murder.
However, his approach was markedly different; not only was Humphrey incredibly organised and prone to mishaps, but he also had a much more positive outlook on starting anew in Saint Marie.
Humphrey stayed on the island for four years, bidding farewell at the beginning of series six as he returned to London to reunite with his true love Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton).
They now have their own Cornwall-based spin-off Beyond Paradise, which is anticipated to return for its fourth series next year.
Detective Inspector Jack Mooney – Ardal O’Hanlon
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise’s Detective Inspector Jack Mooney played by actor Ardal O’Hanlon.(Image: BBC)
DI Jack Mooney and his daughter Siobhan opted for Saint Marie as they sought a fresh start following his wife’s passing.
Although his reasons for relocating to the island were sorrowful, Jack was amiable and empathetic but, akin to all the detectives, was adept at unravelling mysteries.
He featured in Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise from series six to nine and it seemed he had discovered a new ‘happily ever after’ with Anna Masani (Nina Wadia).
Jack had agreed to embark on a journey with her when he had a change of heart at the eleventh hour, realising he was using the island to evade mourning his wife.
Instead, he and Siobhan departed Saint Marie permanently so they could finally confront their grief head-on.
Detective Inspector Neville Parker – Ralf Little
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise’s DI Neville Parker is played by actor Ralf Little.(Image: BBC)
DI Neville Parker, who featured in the show for four and a half years from series nine to the finale of series 13, holds the record as the longest-serving detective.
The brilliant yet neurotic detective faced romantic challenges in Saint Marie when he was rejected by DS Florence Cassell (Josephine Jobert) in series 10.
After she left the show, Neville fell deeply for Sophie Chambers (Chelsea Edge), who attempted to frame him for murder while he played a crucial role in her sister’s arrest and Dᴇᴀᴛʜ .
Fortunately, in series 13, he found his happy ending when Florence returned, confessed her feelings for him, and they sailed off into the sunset together.
Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson – Don Gilet
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise’s Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson played by Don Gilet.(Image: BBC)
The current detective in Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise is DI Mervin Wilson, who joined the team during the 2024 Christmas special.
He left London to investigate his estranged mother’s suspicious Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Saint Marie and led the investigations in season 14.
Actor Gilet is set to return for both the upcoming Christmas episode and next year’s season 15, which is anticipated to begin in either January or February.
