Death in Paradise returns for its 2025 Christmas special with a creative twist that literally spans the Atlantic Ocean. As DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) investigates a gruesome death at a Caribbean office Christmas party, the crucial murder weapon is discovered locked in a drawer thousands of miles away in Swindon, England.
The 90-minute special, broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer during the festive season, weaves together a complex international murder mystery with Mervin’s deeply personal family storyline. Following the revelation that he has a previously unknown brother named Solomon Clark living in Antigua, Mervin must balance investigating this impossible crime while anxiously awaiting contact from his newly discovered family member.
This Christmas special marks the second appearance of Mervin Wilson as lead detective, following his introduction in the 2024 Christmas special that transformed the beloved long-running BBC drama by replacing beloved detective Neville Parker and establishing an entirely new chapter in the show’s 14-year history.
The Impossible Crime: A Murder Weapon in Two Places at Once
The Christmas special’s central mystery begins with an idyllic office Christmas party taking a sinister turn. Four co-workers at a Caribbean villa wake to discover a stranger dead in their swimming pool—but the case quickly becomes extraordinarily complicated.
DI Mervin Wilson and the Honoré Police team swiftly identify the murder weapon. So far, the case seems like a typical Death in Paradise mystery. But then they encounter an impossible puzzle: the murder weapon is locked in a drawer in Swindon—thousands of miles away from the crime scene.
This geographical impossibility raises critical investigative questions. How could a weapon used to commit murder in the Caribbean be secured in a British filing cabinet at the moment of the crime? Is someone using sophisticated technology to commit murder remotely? Have multiple weapons been used? Is the locked drawer in Swindon a red herring, or does it contain crucial evidence that reshapes the entire case?
To solve this baffling conundrum, DI Mervin Wilson enlists the help of a “familiar ally”—likely a returning character from the wider “Paraverse” (the interconnected Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise universes)—indicating that solving this impossible crime requires collaboration across international boundaries.
Mervin’s Personal Journey: Family, Christmas, and Emotional Conflict
While the international murder mystery provides the episode’s plot engine, Mervin’s personal emotional arc supplies its heart. The detective finds himself in an emotionally conflicted state as Christmas approaches.
By the end of series 14, Mervin had made a profound discovery: he has a half-brother named Solomon Clark, who lives in Antigua and left flowers at his deceased mother Dorna’s grave with a card signed “S.” Solomon’s existence represents an unexpected family connection that Mervin never knew existed, opening up possibilities for emotional healing and familial bonding.
However, as the Christmas special unfolds, Mervin remains anxious about whether Solomon will reach out. The episode synopsis indicates that “Mervin is anxiously waiting to hear back from his newly discovered brother,” suggesting a period of emotional uncertainty where he hopes for contact but hasn’t yet received confirmation of their relationship or whether Solomon wants to forge a connection.
This waiting period creates internal psychological tension for Mervin. Typically, Christmas is a time for celebration and family connection. Instead, Mervin finds himself in the position of eagerly anticipating communication from a family member he’s never met, while simultaneously being consumed by the demands of an impossible murder investigation.
The Episode’s Central Question: Can Mervin “resolve his family situation and get into the festive spirit – for the sake of his team and the island?” This phrasing suggests the episode will offer some resolution to his family anxiety, whether through contact from Solomon or another emotional breakthrough that allows him to embrace Christmas celebrations.
The Cast: Returning Favorites and New Additions
Don Gilet (DI Mervin Wilson) – Born January 17, 1967, in Walsall, West Midlands, England, Don Gilet is a 58-year-old actor best known for his 16-year tenure on EastEnders (2008-2024), where he portrayed Lucas Johnson—a complex character involved in numerous dramatic storylines. Gilet has appeared in 206 episodes of EastEnders and has established himself as a versatile character actor.
Prior to joining Death in Paradise, Gilet appeared in the 2024 action thriller The Beekeeper alongside Jason Statham, playing Deputy Director Prigg. He has also guest-starred in prestigious British dramas including Doctor Who, Shetland, and Sherwood.
His casting as Mervin Wilson represents a significant transition for both the actor and the show. Unlike his predecessors on Death in Paradise, Mervin has a compelling personal backstory centered on his estranged relationship with his mother, creating dramatic depth beyond the typical “detective struggling to adjust to island life” formula that characterized earlier leads.
Élizabeth Bourgine (Catherine Bordey) – The 68-year-old French actress has been the longest-serving regular cast member on Death in Paradise, appearing in 95 episodes since the show’s 2011 debut. Born March 20, 1957, in Levallois-Perret, a suburb of Paris, Bourgine is a multi-talented performer who originally trained as a dancer and model before studying at École des Beaux-Arts.
In France, Bourgine is best known for her roles in critically acclaimed films including A Heart in Winter (1992), My Best Friend (2006), and Private Classes (1986). She won the prestigious Prix Romy Schneider Prize in 1985.
In Death in Paradise, she portrays Catherine Bordey, the stable, witty, and compassionate mayor of Saint Marie who serves as both an official ally to the police force and an emotional anchor for the community. Catherine represents the continuity of the show—having appeared in some form (recurring in season one, then as a main cast member from season two onwards) for all 14 seasons.
Supporting Cast – The Christmas special also features regular cast members including:
- Tobi Bakare as Sergeant J.P. Hooper (54 episodes)
- Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas (35 episodes)
- Additional recurring characters and guest stars
Guest Stars – The special welcomes returning characters and new guest stars, though specific identities remain under wraps. Reports indicate that a “familiar ally” will assist in solving the cross-continental murder mystery, likely a character from earlier seasons or the Beyond Paradise spin-off.
Production Details: Red Planet Pictures and BBC Partnership
Death in Paradise is produced by Red Planet Pictures, a successful production company specializing in international co-productions and returning dramas.
Tim Key and America Rodriguez serve as Executive Producers for Red Planet Pictures. The series was created by Robert Thorogood and Tony Jordan, with Tony Jordan acting as showrunner and leading the writing team.
Danielle Scott-Haughton, Commissioner of BBC Drama, commissioned the special and demonstrates the BBC’s continued confidence in the franchise despite changing viewership patterns.
The co-production structure involves partnerships between BBC One (UK), BBC iPlayer, and international broadcasters, reflecting Death in Paradise’s status as a genuinely global television phenomenon.
The Show’s Evolution: From Murder Mystery Procedural to Character-Driven Drama
Death in Paradise premiered on October 13, 2011, on BBC One and has since become one of the corporation’s most enduring and popular dramas. The series was created specifically to demonstrate that British television could successfully produce drama content outside the UK, with all 14 series filmed on the island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean.
The show initially followed Detective Inspector Richard Poole (Ben Miller, series 1-3), a brilliant but awkward English detective who struggled to adapt to Caribbean island life while solving elaborate murders. When Miller departed, the role passed through several iterations—Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall, series 4-10), Jack Mooney (Ardal O’Hanlon, series 11-12), and Neville Parker (Ralf Little, series 13), before finally arriving at DI Mervin Wilson.
Each detective brought their own personality and backstory to the role, but the fundamental formula remained consistent: brilliant detective, beautiful Caribbean island, elaborate murders with surprising solutions, and supporting cast members providing continuity and emotional grounding.
Series 14 and the Mervin Era: When Mervin Wilson was introduced in the 2024 Christmas special, creator Tony Jordan explained that the new detective would bring fresh energy while maintaining the show’s core appeal. Unlike previous detectives who arrived on the island reluctantly or unprepared, Mervin has a profound personal reason for staying—his connection to his mother’s mysterious death and now the discovery of his brother Solomon.
This character development signal indicates that Death in Paradise is evolving from a pure procedural format toward a more character-driven drama where the detective’s personal journey interweaves with the investigation of crimes.
Viewership and Cultural Impact: A Consistent BBC Powerhouse
Series 14 (2025) maintained Death in Paradise’s strong viewership despite increased competition from streaming services. The series averaged approximately 6 million viewers across its 7-day consolidated figures, with the opening episode drawing 6.362 million viewers and maintaining consistent audiences throughout its eight-week run, with the final episode attracting 5.923 million viewers.
These viewership numbers place Death in Paradise solidly within BBC One’s top-rated dramas and demonstrate that traditional broadcast television remains viable in the streaming age, particularly for scripted drama with character depth and international appeal.
Historically, Death in Paradise achieved even higher viewership in its early seasons:
While viewership has declined from peak levels, the show’s consistent audience of 5.8-6.3 million viewers demonstrates genuine audience loyalty and international export success that generates significant revenue through BritBox International and other platforms.
The Broader “Paraverse”: Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise
The Christmas special represents just one component of the expanding “Paraverse”—the interconnected universe encompassing both Death in Paradise and its spin-off Beyond Paradise. The two shows premiered on consecutive time slots on BBC One, with Death in Paradise airing at 9:00 PM and Beyond Paradise at 8:00 PM in the UK.
This programming strategy allows the BBC to serve multiple audience preferences while building a cohesive dramatic universe where characters and storylines can crossover. Creator Tony Jordan has indicated that more crossovers and interconnected storylines are planned for the future.
When and Where to Watch
The Death in Paradise Christmas Special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer during the 2025 festive season, with the exact broadcast date to be confirmed by BBC scheduling.
The 90-minute special represents an extended runtime compared to regular Death in Paradise episodes (typically 45 minutes), providing ample time to develop both the international murder mystery and Mervin’s personal family storyline.
Following its initial broadcast, the special will remain available on BBC iPlayer for on-demand streaming, allowing viewers to watch at their convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of the Death in Paradise Christmas special?
The special features four co-workers discovering a stranger dead in their villa pool. However, the murder weapon is locked in a drawer in Swindon, thousands of miles away. DI Mervin Wilson must solve this impossible crime while awaiting contact from his newly discovered brother.
How long is the special?
The Christmas special runs 90 minutes, providing extended time for both mystery and character development.
Who is the murder victim?
The identity of the victim remains unconfirmed in pre-release materials, maintaining the mystery.
Will Mervin’s brother Solomon appear in the special?
The synopsis indicates Mervin is “anxiously waiting to hear back” from Solomon, suggesting possible contact or resolution during the episode, though details remain confidential.
Is Don Warrington (Commissioner Patterson) in the special?
Reports indicate that Don Warrington’s Commissioner Patterson is notably absent from the Christmas special, marking a significant change from typical Death in Paradise episodes.
How does the Swindon connection work?
The exact mechanism by which a murder weapon in Swindon relates to a Caribbean crime scene remains the central mystery that Mervin and his team must unravel.
Will there be a series 15 after the special?
Yes, Death in Paradise has been commissioned for multiple additional series following the success of series 14.
What year does the Christmas special air?
The 2025 Christmas special will air during the 2025 festive season on BBC One.
Can I watch previous Death in Paradise episodes?
Yes, all 14 series of Death in Paradise are available on BBC iPlayer and BritBox International.
How does this special connect to Beyond Paradise?
Both specials are airing during Christmas 2025, and a “familiar ally” helping Mervin may be a character from the Beyond Paradise spin-off, creating interconnection between the two dramas.
