Don Gilet says he’s under pressure on Death In Paradise as Christmas storyline revealed
Death in Paradise star Don Gilet has opened up about returning to the show for its upcoming Christmas special, revealing that he's not 'resting on his laurels'
Don Gilet plays DI Mervin Wilson(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Philippe Virapin)
Death in Paradise’s Don Gilet felt “pressure” to deliver on the show’s second series after making his debut last year. The 58-year-old took over from Ralf Little during last year’s Christmas special, joining the Saint Marie police department as DI Mervin Wilson.
Speaking to The Mirror and other press ahead of this year’s Christmas special, Don said: “For the second time around, I felt there was pressure. Pressure of what I call the second album – I’ve got the Mercury prize, NME loves it but not you’ve got to come back not with the same thing, not resting on your laurels, not being complacent and pushing the story forward.”
Don Gilet has opened up about feeling “pressure” ahead of the new series
The star added that he’s still not used to filming in the 30-degree Guadeloupean heat after almost a year in the role. “I look at the contract, which says I have to do it, and I look at all the zeros after the numbers so I just act my butt off,” he joked.
“The best Christmas present that I could get is aircon. But we just do it, we’re used to being out there in the heat. If you start thinking about how hot it is while you’re doing it, you’re going to keel over.”
Death in Paradise’s upcoming Christmas special sees the team called to a Caribbean villa, where four co-workers woke up on holiday to find a dead stranger in their pool. With the murder weapon located thousands of miles away in Swindon, they call on a familiar face for help back in the UK to solve this festive head-scratcher.
EastEnders’ Josie Lawrence – who played Manda Best on the soap – guest stars in the special alongside Doctor Who ’s Pearl Mackie and Ted Lasso’s Billy Harris.
Death in Paradise is back for a Christmas special(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Philippe Virapin)
When we last saw Mervin, he learnt that he has a secret half-brother named Solomon who was living on the island. Don teases that it’s only the start for Mervin and his family revelations.
“Mervin is distracted by him. He finds crimes and puzzles irresistible, and he can just hone in on that. What he’s never had to do before is consider there is somebody out there who’s related to him,” he says.
“It’s a fun caper and the Christmas theme runs throughout that but weaving through it is Mervin coping with the fact that he would like to deal with the crime and get rid of it to pursue family. It’s a great conflict to play.”
As for future guest stars, Don has set his sights on Wicked’s Ariana Grande after meeting her on The Graham Norton Show earlier this year.
“She hasn’t called me personally. I gave her my number and for some reason, I saw her throw something in the bin later on,” he joked. “But I think The Last of Us’ Pedro Pascal – he needs to be in this and Sam Rockwell.”
Death in Paradise airs Sunday 28 December at 8:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
