EXCLUSIVE: Death in Paradise star Shantol Jackson confirmed the exit of one beloved character
Death in Paradise has welcomed a new police officer to the fold, following Ginny Holder’s notable absence from the latest series. Viewers will now meet Police Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, portrayed by actress Catherine Garton.
Darlene was similarly absent from the Death in Paradise Christmas special, making only a brief appearance via video link. Don Gilet returns as Detective Mervin Wilson, joined by Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas.
Don Warrington reprises his role as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, with Elizabeth Bourgine back as Catherine Bordey, whilst Shaquille Ali-Yebuah returns as Officer Sebastian Rose.
The series will also feature several high-profile guest appearances, including Sarah Hadland, Siobhan Finneran, Hermione Norris, Steffan Rhodri, Ben Willbond, Gary Wilmot, and Tim McMullan.
In an exclusive chat with Reach PLC and other media, the cast addressed Ginny’s departure, with Shantol Jackson confessing, “We’ll miss her,” reports the Express.
Shantol, who portrays Naomi Thomas, explained, “We definitely Miss Ginny because Ginny’s character, she was like…so Catherine comes in and she’s the older sister, or, you know, the older cousin, but Ginny was like, Queen Mother.”
Shaquille, who plays Officer Rose, added, “She was the auntie.”
Shantol continued, “And the beautiful thing about Ginny was that she was auntie of the police station, so Darlene…she carried that in her character, and then that’s how she was outside of set.
“So, you know, we’ll find that we miss the character and miss the person, but you know, thankfully, Catherine has done so exceptionally well that you don’t feel like there is an empty gap.
“It doesn’t feel like, oh, ‘we are missing a person, or we are missing a character’. It doesn’t feel that way at all. You miss the person, but that space. I think Catherine has done a really good job in carrying Jonny’s baton, and so we’re just really grateful for that.”
Additional guest stars featuring in Death in Paradise include Julian Rhind-Tutt, Ace Bhatti, Louis Davison, Scarlett Alice Johnson, Sean Delaney, Lizzie Davidson, Kojo Kamara, Layo-Christina Akinlude, Sandra James-Young, Phoebe Sparrow, Antonia Bernath, and Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge, who portrayed Selwyn Patterson’s successor when he departed Saint Marie.
The synopsis for the series reveals, “As DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) continues to adjust to life in Saint Marie, he and the police team must face a myriad of baffling cases.
“But whilst attempting to connect with his recently discovered half-brother Solomon (Daniel Ward), Mervin’s newfound familial happiness soon turns to frustration as he discovers the pair are not quite as similar as he hoped they might be.”
The synopsis continues: “A returning Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) confronts the impact of his recent period of absence, and after some tough love from old friend, Catherine Bordey (Elizabeth Bourgine), he’s determined to win back the trust of the island.
“Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) help new recruit Sergeant Mattie Fletcher (Catherine Garton) settle into the fold, which might be easier said than done as shadows from her past begin to reveal themselves.”
Death in Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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