Don Warrington has played Commissioner Selwyn Patterson since Death In Paradise began over a decade ago – but is the actor really leaving the show?
Death In Paradise wouldn’t be the same without the iconic Commissioner Selwyn Patterson. Don Warrington plays Selwyn, the head of the Saint Marie police force, and has done so for nearly two decades.
However, in sad scenes, the Commissioner was told that his job was being phased out. In the first episode of the new series, after the death of another officer, Selwyn was told the bad news by his former colleague JP.
“I wondered if I could have a chat with you. Have you got some time, sir? So, there are some things I found out about at the headquarters back in Jamaica. They loop me into these things, you know?” he said.
“I shouldn’t really be saying anything, sir, but after everything you have done for me, I thought it would be wrong if I didn’t.
“They are looking to change some things here. Streamlining and your position, Commissioner, they are going to dissolve it. I am so sorry, sir.”
Catherine Bordey – the local mayor and bar owner – has been adamant that she wanted to save the job. “Selwyn, JP just called and told me about your job and that they’re phasing it out,” a worried Catherine said a week later as she confronted her friend, “I knew something wasn’t right about you. But they can’t do this.”
“But, it seems they can and they have. The Chief Commissioner officially informed me yesterday. It seems it comes back to one thing, to save money,” he replied, as a fuming Catherine said: “But we need you here. The island needs you, so, what are you going to do?”
Selwyn later broke the news to the rest of the team: “I’ve been keeping something from you which on the advice of my trusted friend, I have decided to share with you all. The position of Saint Marie police commissioner is being phased out. I’m being phased out.”
He was soon replaced by Sterling Fox, but things didn’t go to plan and Sterling tried to stop Mervin Wilson investigating the death of his own mother Donna Bray. In a twist, Selwyn stepped in and saved the day.
Don has yet to speak out about his character’s future on the show or the prospect of him leaving the Saint Marie set police drama for good – but will he take his old job back, or will he decide to leave?
Giving an insight into how Selwyn is feeling, he said: “It’s very interesting because we discover other aspects of Selwyn and that’s always the joy about playing a character like him – there are so many different sides to him.
“You think you know about somebody but due to life events, you learn more about them. He’s opening up, he’s a bit like a flower coming in to bloom.”
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