The BBC is set to unveil Return to Paradise, the highly anticipated ABC Australian spin-off to the popular series Death in Paradise, with its UK premiere this November. Bringing fresh energy to the beloved “Paraverse” of crime mysteries, this spin-off introduces Anna Samson as DI Mackenzie Clarke, marking the franchise’s first lead female detective.
Return to Paradise Coming to the UK:
A New Setting and Compelling Lead Character
Return to Paradise is filmed in vibrant Australian locations, with scenes shot in Sydney and along the stunning coastal region of Illawarra. This six-part drama stars Anna Samson, known for her roles in Dead Lucky, Wake in Fright, and Home and Away, as the talented and relentless detective DI Mackenzie Clarke. Mackenzie has built her career in London’s Metropolitan Police, earning a reputation for tackling “unsolvable” cases. However, when she’s accused of evidence tampering, her career is thrown into turmoil, and she returns to her hometown, Dolphin Cove—a place she left under less-than-favourable circumstances after infamously leaving her fiancé at the altar.
The series explores Mackenzie’s reluctant return to her roots, as she joins the Dolphin Cove Police Station to rebuild her career and earn the trust of the community she once abandoned. Known for her persistence and analytical mind, Mackenzie quickly proves herself a formidable asset to the force, working alongside her colleagues to crack complex cases, all while trying to overcome her past and reconnect with the town’s people.
A Strong Ensemble Cast and Production Team
Joining Samson in this enthralling series are Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso), Tai Hara (Home and Away, Colin From Accounts, Hyde & Seek), Catherine McClements (Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, Water Rats, Tangle, Rush), Celia Ireland (Wentworth Prison, All Saints, Total Control), Andrea Demetriades (Crownies, Janet King, Squinters), and Aaron McGrath (Gold Diggers, Glitch, Back to the Rafters). Together, the cast brings an engaging dynamic to the mysteries of Dolphin Cove, combining gripping performances with the scenic beauty of their Australian surroundings.
The show is produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia and Red Planet Pictures, co-created by Peter Mattessi, James Hall, and Death in Paradise’s original creator, Robert Thorogood. Key production leads include Di Haddon as producer, with executive producers Kylie Washington and Warren Clarke for BBC Studios, Belinda Campbell and Tim Key for Red Planet Pictures, and Rachel Okine and Brett Sleigh for ABC.
Bringing a Unique Australian Twist to the “Paraverse”
While Return to Paradise draws on the mystery and intrigue that fans of Death in Paradise love, it also introduces a unique Australian flare that sets it apart from previous instalments. The series delves into Mackenzie’s journey of navigating complex murder cases and overcoming personal conflicts within a more laid-back yet gritty Australian setting.
When and Where to Watch
Fans can catch Return to Paradise on BBC One and iPlayer starting November 22, 2024, at 8 p.m. With its compelling storyline, intriguing character dynamics, and stunning Australian landscapes as its backdrop, the series promises to deliver an exciting new chapter in the Death in Paradise universe for UK audiences.