Kris Marshall heads to Death In Paradise

Kris Marshall best known for sitcom My Family and endless BT television adverts, is to join the cast of crime drama Death In Paradise as the latest lead detective, in the new series.

Joining series regulars Sara Martins, Danny John-Jules, Gary Carr and Don Warrington when filming starts on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe from next month, Marshall will play a bright, but rather disorganised and gawky DI, Humphrey Goodman, who is stuck in a mid-life rut and is looking to find a new life and fresh start.

Kris Marshall said: “I am thrilled to be joining Death In Paradise and finding out a bit more about what makes Humphrey tick. Six months filming on a tropical island with an amazing cast and glorious sunshine? What isn’t there to love! I might even get myself a parrot!”

Series three will also see the departure of DI Richard Poole, played by Ben Miller, following two hugely successful series. Details of how the character departs are to be kept a secret.

Ben Miller said: “I have absolutely loved my time on Death In Paradise and am sad to be leaving such a successful show, however DI Poole has made no secret of his struggle with the Caribbean heat, so I felt now was a good time to put him out of his misery! I know Kris will do a superb job and I’m delighted to be handing over the detective baton to him.”

It was announced earlier this year that the BBC One crime drama series, renowned for its weekly measure of whodunit mystery and stunning Caribbean backdrop, will be returning for a third series in early 2014. A regular 8 million tune into each episode.

[Reported by Mike Watkins]