Death in Paradise

Death In Paradise will not air in its usual Friday slot this week owing to a change in scheduling on the BBC as its replacement has now been revealed

Death In Paradise is off air this week after it was pulled from its usual slot. The BBC show is back for a new series, with DI Mervin Wilson – played by Don Gilet – at the helm.

It usually airs in the Friday 9pm slot each week on BBC One but it has been changed for this week. Death In Paradise follows the story of a British police officer in the Caribbean, working out of island paradise Saint Marie.

The BBC show will not air this Friday as planned as the BBC will instead be broadcasting the football. The FA Cup tie between Hull City and Chelsea will air that evening instead from 7.30pm, with kick off 15 minutes later.

Instead, Death In Paradise will air its latest episode on the following Monday, which follows the story of a pensioner who has been shot dead in his home. The commissioner is also busy trying to get everyone on side after his recent departure.

Meanwhile, Don Gilet previously opened up about his character’s development on the BBC detective drama series.

Speaking about his character, Don – who plays Mervin Wilson – said: “Just by his nature and the way he is when it comes to his work and the way that his mind works, there’s always going to be a bit of kickback with the people he deals with.

“Last year, there was this antagonism between Mervin and the team because they just worked in very different ways, and both had to earn the respect of each other in the way they work.”

He added: “And let’s not forget, he didn’t want to be on the island, so he was going to be particularly reluctant to work with these people because of the personal issues he was dealing with.

“But as time has moved on, he’s realised that he needs these people. They are now gelling, they’re working as a team – now it’s cracking the cases that frustrate him, and they become frustrated as a group. You’ll still see him sometimes working at odds with the team, but they know each other now and can allow for that a little more.”

Of course, in this series, there is also the twist about Mervin’s half-brother Solomon, whom he finally gets to meet this series. However, things don’t get off to a great start.

“It was a great emotional cliffhanger because at any moment in that series Mervin could have just said ‘that’s it, I’ve done my time’, and now he literally can’t go.

“The one thing he was in pursuit of at the start of this series was family, and then to throw that in at the end, that he’s not alone… He’s powerless to resist that and he has to stay now for the next chapter in his family quest, because he thought he had no family. So how can he turn his back on that?

“Well, I think phrases like ‘two peas in a pod’, do not apply… They couldn’t be more opposite. There’s Mervin and then there’s this guy who is on the opposite side of the tracks, potentially the opposite side of the law too…”

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Death in Paradise is back for series 15 and new recruit Sergeant Mattie Fletcher will be joining the team in Saint Marie – here’s everything you need to know about the character

Death in Paradise is gearing up for its 15th season, welcoming back familiar faces and introducing some fresh ones. Don Gilet will be reprising his role as DI Mervin Wilson, while Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, portrayed by Don Warrington, makes a comeback to Saint Marie after a hiatus.

Elizabeth Bourgine’s Catherine Bordey, Shantol Jackson’s Sergeant Naomi Thomas, and Shaquille Ali-Yebuah’s Officer Sebastian Rose are all set to return for the 15th season. However, viewers will also meet a new face, Sergeant Mattie Fletcher.

Described as having a “rebellious” streak, Mattie is a fantastic addition to the Saint Marie squad. She’s brought to life by actress Catherine Garton, who steps into the cast following Ginny Holder’s departure from her role as Darlene Curtis. But what can BBC viewers anticipate from newcomer Mattie, and who is the actress behind her?

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Death in Paradise series 15, reports the Express.

Who is Sergeant Mattie Fletcher?

Sergeant Mattie Fletcher is the latest addition to the Saint Marie team. She’ll make her debut in season 15, episode 1, with Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) helping Mattie find her feet.

However, settling in might prove more challenging than expected as secrets from her past start to surface.

Discussing what audiences can anticipate from Sergeant Mattie, Don Gilet, who portrays DI Mervin Wilson, explained: “There’s definitely something of a rebel in Mattie. We haven’t had that rebellious element, really. She’s a bit younger, probably a similar age, give or take, to Officer Seb Rose, but she’s seen a lot more.

“She’s a sergeant and she’s more experienced and is always on the front foot, whereas Seb is going through his rookie stripes. It’s great seeing how the two of them connect – there’s a nurturing side as well as a rebellious side. She’s a great addition to the team.”

Who is Catherine Garton?

Catherine Garton, who portrays Mattie, described her character as “tenacious,” adding: “She’s really fun to play. She’s sassy, but she’s like your big sister who will tell you what’s what, but you can also come to her if you need to. You can have a laugh with her. She’s very passionate about things, about her work and about the people that she grows to love, especially in the team. She’s also very determined, almost too determined sometimes..”

She went on: “Audiences can expect some action. Someone who’s lovable and who’s trying their best, but almost to a fault. She has something to prove to herself and to others and sometimes she can do that to her detriment, but it comes from a place of passion. They will see ups, downs and lots of sass!”.

Catherine Garton takes on the role of new recruit Mattie, having previously appeared in The Gray House as Talulah and Ibiza Narcos as Kelly. Catherine recently graced our screens in Russell T Davies’ Doctor Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.

This festive BBC series featured Catherine as Corporal Jane Hart throughout all four episodes.

The filming for the spin-off concluded in 2024, and it was only after wrapping up that Catherine learned she had secured the role of Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, a new regular on Death in Paradise. She amusingly revealed that she was shopping in TK Maxx when her agent broke the news.

She recalled: “I was in the shoe section, one shoe off, sliding another one on and my agent called me and told me. It was a moment!”.

Speaking about her experience filming in Guadeloupe, where the fictional town of Saint Marie is located, Catherine enthused: “I loved it – everyone was really welcoming. Before going to Guadeloupe, I didn’t quite know what to anticipate, then it exceeded any expectations I could have had. I love the island. Guadeloupe is like a postcard. It’s quite unreal. Every time I walked out I was like ‘this exists, wow!’. It’s absolutely stunning. Everyone’s nice. I love the culture. The food’s great. Everyone I work with is great. I don’t have any complaints!”.

When asked about meeting the rest of the cast and crew, Catherine admitted: “It was intimidating at first, because this is the biggest kind of role I’ve ever had, but everyone was just so nice and so welcoming. I remember the first time I saw Shantol and the biggest smile ever. I feel like I have family there now.”

Death in Paradise season 15 kicks off on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm on Friday, 30 January.