Ben Miller to leave Death In Paradise

The third series of BBC One’s drama  Death In Paradise will see actor Ben Miller depart the show when it returns early next year.

Miller’s lead character DI Richard Poole will leave at some point during the third series however producers are keeping the details of how and when Miller will depart tightly under wraps.

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.”

Following two hugely successful series’, Miller leaves the show on a high, with an average of almost eight million viewers tuning in to each episode of the second series. Kris Marshall from sitcom My Family will be taking over the lead role as we reported earlier today.

Ben Stephenson, BBC Controller Drama Commissioning, said: “Thank you to Ben for leading two hugely successful series of Death In Paradise. He is leaving on a high and handing over to the very talented Kris Marshall. I am looking forward to seeing Kris in his new role and what he does with his character.”

It was announced earlier this year that the ratings smash 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.