Death in Paradise fans amazed at fact about show's new lead actor

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Death in Paradise returned to BBC television on Sunday for a Christmas special, with Don Gilet now playing the lead detective who impressed everyone with one real life fact about him.

The EastEnders and Shetland star was announced as the replacement for Ralf Little, who played DI Neville Parker for four and half years, back in May.

Gilet will play DI Mervin Wilson and becomes the first Black actor to play the lead role in the show, which began in 2011.

The hit drama is set in the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie and focuses on the British detective inspector and his team of local police as they solve murder mysteries that shake the island.

Gilet, who has starred in many BBC TV shows including Holby City, Casualty and Doctor Who, began acting professionally in 1993 and many new fans are stunned to discover that he will turn 58 next month.

“You’re telling me Don Gilet is 57?! Get lost no he isn’t,” said one amazed Death in Paradise fan.

Another viewer said: “I just googled Don Gilet now that he’s Marvin Wilson in #DeathInParadise and we share the same birthday (although I’m a bit younger) but he also looks waaaaay younger than someone who’s going to be 58 next month!”

A third quipped: “Don Gilet is 57, folks.”

A fourth fan waxed lyrical about Gilet’s career but highlighted the difficult task ahead of him: “Whatever happens, let’s have some respect for Don Gilet. He’s an actor who has more than paid his dues, but stepping into a show that’s been running for 13 years, as the now 5th Inspector that’s daunting.”

InThe Independent’s three-star review of the show’s Christmas special, critic Ed Power wrote that “Gilet is a great addition to the series” adding: “His phlegmatic, crotchety persona harks back to the OG Death in Paradise policeman abroad, Richard Poole (the harrumphing Ben Miller).”

Although Power praised Gilet’s performance, the episode’s storyline was less impressive.

“Where the instalment falls down is in its manically convoluted murder plot. You know that internet meme from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, in which a wild-eyed Charlie Day stands in front of a cork-board map criss-crossed with red lines?”

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“That is what this Death in Paradise storyline feels like, as the holidaying Wilson is asked to delay his return to London to help the local police investigate the double killing of two men, both dressed as Santa.”

Season 14 of Death in Paradise is expected to begin in the New Year.