Who will replace Ralf Little for Death In Paradise season 14?

The island of Saint Marie is currently without its most prominent detective. Ralf Little said goodbye to Death in Paradise at the end of the 13th series, with DI Neville Parker choosing love over his life solving crimes on the island.

But we already know that Death in Paradise is commissioned for at least one more series and, with spin-offs like Beyond Paradise and Return to Paradise now running, there are plenty of legs in the show yet. So that means we need a new leading man or woman to step into the spotlight.

We don't know who it'll be stepping into Little's shoes just yet, so let the speculation begin.

Why did Ralf Little leave Death in Paradise?

Little told the Big Issue that it was "bittersweet" to be saying goodbye to Death in Paradise after four years in the lead role and "one of the most profound and magical experiences in my life".

In an interview with BBC Breakfast, he confessed that he and the BBC came to a mutual decision that the character's journey was at an end.

"If it was just a heart decision, I'd have wanted to do it for 20 more years," he said. "But just for the show, and for my character Neville, it just sort of felt like his story… it deserved to be finished, and his journey deserved to be completed and he deserved a nice happy ending. And so it just felt right."

As for his next role, Little wants to stretch himself and play a role that goes against his reputation for likeable characters. He told Big Issue: "I’d love to play a villain. It would be so nice to just play someone horrible. I’ve spent my whole career playing nice guys. I want to surprise myself and surprise audiences."

Who will replace Ralf Little on Death in Paradise?

Little is definitely gone, so let's have a look at some of the movers and shakers in the race to replace him. There's every chance that one of these people could be in for a six-month filming trip to the Caribbean which, let's face it, is about as dreamy as TV work can get.

Rupert Grint

Rupert Grint is forever linked to his role as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise, but bookmakers Coral slashed their odds in April on him becoming Little's successor. He'd be an intriguing choice for Death in Paradise, with a more limited post-Potter CV than his co-stars.

However, he's recently done some terrific and dark work for M Night Shyamalan in TV series Servant and thriller movie Knock at the Cabin. So he'll probably be more than ready for the lighter environs of Saint Marie — even if people do keep getting murdered.

Mathew Horne

Best known for playing one half of the titular duo in Gavin and Stacey — we're still crossing our fingers for more of it — Mathew Horne is one of the leading contenders for the Death in Paradise vacancy. He's actually been on the show before, where he was beaten to death with a pipe in a 2013 episode.

Horne's likeable comic charm and TV stalwart status makes him a potentially perfect choice for Death in Paradise. We can definitely call him a contender.

Diane Morgan

The comedian behind the deadpan character Philomena Cunk is a persistent contender for numerous high-profile telly roles. She's always on the list of potential future Doctor Who stars, and with good reason.

She'd bring her uniquely weird comedy stylings to Death in Paradise, presenting a different sort of detective to the ones we've seen before. After 13 series, the time is right for a refresh.

Martin Clunes

Martin Clunes has just said goodbye to a massive TV role, bringing an end to his long-running drama Doc Martin in 2022 after 18 years and 10 series. That show is a great tonal cousin to Death in Paradise, occupying a similar sort of scheduling spot. Clunes has shown his ability to make that sort of material work before, so he could make the journey to Saint Marie.

He very much slots into the sort of "TV favourite" category that includes previous Death in Paradise leads like Kris Marshall and Ben Miller. The only question is whether he wants to take on another hefty TV commitment so soon after waving goodbye to another.

Simon Bird

The Inbetweeners actor Simon Bird might have made his name in filthy comedy, but his subsequent career would seem to pave the way perfectly for something like Death in Paradise. He's dialled down the cursing and taken on more thoughtful work, including making his film debut with the likeable comedy Days of Bagnold Summer.

He has, of course, been keeping his eye in on the comedy front, following The Inbetweeners with the super-successful Friday Night Dinner and, more recently, the religious cult satire Everyone Else Burns. He's right in the frame with major bookies for the Death in Paradise gig.

Peter Davison

At 73 years old, former Doctor Who leading man Peter Davison isn't the most obvious pick to take on the Death in Paradise role. However, he recently had a guest role in spin-off Beyond Paradise and told the Express that he'd certainly consider something more long-term.

"I remember talking to Ben Miller, who found the schedule in Death in Paradise a bit relentless," said Davison. "I'm always up for a challenge. So I would not rule it out but I think the chances are they may go to someone a bit younger."

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