Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise star says ‘it was a first’ as he addresses show cancellation – And here’s why
Beyond Paradise star Kris Marshall has opened up about the unique experience of being part of Sanditon
Kris Marshall, renowned for his leading roles in Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise and Beyond Paradise, has opened up about the turbulent ride of ITV’s Sanditon, which faced the axe before being resurrected by devoted fans.
The period drama Sanditon, based on Jane Austen’s unfinished novel, remarkably returned for a second series in July 2022, after initially struggling to attract audiences and being scrapped following its debut season.
In a previous interview with RadioTimes, Kris reflected on the unusual experience, saying, “It is the first show I’ve been on that has been cancelled and then reinstated.”
He credited the show’s comeback to passionate fans who launched a formidable campaign to rescue it after its popularity soared in the States: “The fans did that after it took off in America, organising an incredible campaign to bring the show back.”
Kris Marshall admitted Sanditon getting cancelled was a first for him(Image: (Image: (Image: ITV)))
Kris remembered the passionate backing from Sanditon supporters who produced impressive sand art displays close to their filming location, describing the efforts as “relentless”.
He concluded by sharing his delight at Sanditon securing two more series and his enthusiasm for continuing to play Tom Parker, the driven businessman with ambitious plans to establish Sanditon as a prestigious seaside resort, according to the Express.
At the outset, Tom Parker was depicted as determined to transform Sanditon into a resort rivalling Brighton’s fame, but a devastating blaze in the opening season left his ambitions in tatters.
Nevertheless, Tom remained committed to realising his grand vision, as the second series demonstrated.
Kris Marshall in Sanditon(Image: (Image: (Image: ITV)))
Presently, viewers can see Kris appearing in the Christmas episode of Beyond Paradise, where he returns as the lovably clumsy DI Humphrey Goodman after a successful second run.
The festive episode’s plot, which airs on Sunday, teases, “When Esther discovers a man on the steps of the Shipton Abbott police station with no memory, holding a photo of Humphrey, the team gets to work to uncover who the mysterious man is while balancing a flurry of festive cases.
“At the same time, with the help of Anne, Zoe and a special guest, Martha races to pull off her secret plan while Kelby tries to help a mystery man trapped inside his snowman costume.
“But with an influx of unexpected visitors, a slew of holiday crimes to crack, and a heartwarming reunion on the line, can the team juggle it all and still be ready for a life-changing reveal?”
Beyond Paradise airs on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One.
