D.e.a.t.h in Paradise Christmas special 2025 – cast, plot, start time and latest on new season – and you won’t want to miss it

D.e.a.t.h in Paradise returns this year for another festive special episode. Fans will be taken into the heart of the drama in Saint Marie at the office Christmas party. The team is faced with one of the most concerning cases yet after finding a d.e.a.d body in the swimming pool of the villa.

The 14th series of the popular BBC programme aired this year, with fans patiently waiting for series 15 in 2026. In the meantime, viewers can tune in to a jam-packed festive special episode over Christmas.

Don Gilet reprises his role as DI Neville Parker for the 90-minute episode this weekend. The former EastEnders actor took over the role this time last year, as he made his debut during the 2024 Christmas special.

He replaced Ralf Little, who had portrayed the character for over four years, making him the longest-serving detective on the show.

Speaking about stepping into the shoes of Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson once again, Don Gilet told the BBC: “It felt good. Slightly daunting, but in a positive sense because you want to do the same again, if not better.

“I jokingly describe it as the second album. The first album went really well, but you can’t rest on your laurels and be complacent, there’s still more audience out there to win over. So, I went out to Guadeloupe with a renewed appetite. It was great to come back and reconnect with the characters and the actors.”

D.e.a.t.h in Paradise Christmas special 2025 cast

• DI Mervin Wilson- Don Gilet
• Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas- Shantol Jackson
• Officer Sebastian Rose- Shaquille Ali-Yebuah
• Catherine Bordey- Elizabeth Bourgine
• Officer Darlene Curtis- Ginny Holder

Fans should also expect a star-studded guest cast in addition to returning characters. Guest cast includes:

• Josie Lawrence (Outside Edge)
• Kate Ashfield (Shaun of the D.e.ad)
• Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who)
• James Baxter (Waterloo Road
• Billy Harris (Ted Lasso)
• Oriana Charles
• Alix Serman

D.e.a.t.h in Paradise Christmas special 2025 plot

The BBC has confirmed the exciting plot as the office Christmas party takes a dark turn when four co-workers wake up with a hangover to find a stranger shot d.e.a.d in the pool of their villa.

DI Mervin Wilson and the team identify the murder weapon, but they’re baffled after discovering that it was locked in a drawer when the shooting took place… thousands of miles away from the crime scene – in Swindon. How is that possible? And why did the victim have the name of one of Santa’s reindeer inked on his palm?

The suspects all claim to have never met the victim. But can they be trusted?

As the team are led deeper into a web of secrets and criminality, it becomes clear that they will need all the help they can get to solve this baffling case. Perhaps an old colleague spending Christmas in the UK can be tempted to lend a hand.

Meanwhile, Saint Marie’s festivities are gearing up. The annual nativity is afoot, and Mervin has a part to play. But the DI has other things on his mind.

Months back, he reached out to his newly discovered brother but still hasn’t received a response. Can Mervin resolve his family situation and get into the festive spirit for the sake of his team and the island?

How to watch D.e.a.t.h in Paradise Christmas special 2025

The D.e.a.t.h in Paradise Christmas special airs Sunday, December 28, at 8.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer. It will air until 10pm.

D.e.a.t.h in Paradise new season

While the latest series aired earlier this year, a 15th season is expected to be on our screens in early 2026, although an official release date is yet to be confirmed.

The D.e.a.t.h in Paradise Christmas special airs Sunday, December 28 at 8:30pm on BBC One