Death in Paradise confirms Ralf Little's replacement with new lead ...

Death in Paradise has announced its new lead detective following Ralf Little’s exit as DI Neville Parker.

Little left the hit BBC drama series after a dramatic season 13 finale that saw Neville and Florence Cassell leave the island of Saint Marie together.

Now gearing up for a Christmas special later this year, Death in Paradise has confirmed former EastEnders actor Don Gilet will be taking over as the show’s new lead.

Related: Beyond Paradise confirmed for season 3 and special episode

Set to make his debut in the upcoming feature-length festive special, Gilet will play Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson.

Sharing his excitement joining the hit drama series, Gilet said: "Being offered the new lead role in Death in Paradise feels like a deeply loved and incredibly precious jewel has been placed in my hands.

"This is a big show, with a big heart and the love continually grows for it. It is my intention to never lose sight of that and to remain grateful, humbled and dedicated.

"Even during those testing times when every sinew is screaming at me to run off the set and dive into the sea, swimming pool or an ice-cold beer – whichever happens to be closer at the time!"

Related: Death in Paradise star Joséphine Jobert teases acting return after finale

The actor, who fans may also recognise from his roles in Shetland and Doctor Who, has already begun filming on location in Guadeloupe.

He’ll be starring alongside returning Death in Paradise regulars Don Warrington, Shantol Jackson, Ginny Holder, Élizabeth Bourgine and Danny John-Jules.

Teasing ahead to what fans can expect, Red Planet Pictures executive producer Tim Key described Gilet as an "amazing actor".

"We’re delighted that he’s joining us as the show enters another exciting new era," Key continued. "We’ve got huge plans for the new series and beyond, and I can’t wait for the audience to meet Mervin and to see what we’ve got in store..."

Death in Paradise and its spin-off, Beyond Paradise, both air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer.

News Editor, Digital SpyEmma is an experienced entertainment news journalist with NCTJ accreditation and a First-Class Honours Degree in Journalism. Having started her career as a broadcast journalist, Emma’s voice has been heard on varying radio stations across the UK including Absolute, Magic, BBC Three Counties Radio, LBC London News and more.  Later specialising in multimedia entertainment news, Emma has brushed shoulders with numerous famous faces and interviewed the likes of Edward Norton, Margot Robbie, Sir Michael Palin, Rick Astley, and too many soap stars to count. Having produced a range of engaging news content over the years for brands such as 7Digital’s Entertainment News, Yahoo, and Express Online, Emma eventually joined Digital Spy in 2022 as Deputy News Editor, becoming Acting News Editor in 2023 and then News Editor in 2024.  

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