Kris Marshall

Audiences looking for a classic British comedy in the vein of Richard Curtis’ Four Weddings and a Funeral should look no further

Fans of Beyond Paradise trying to fill the hole after the latest series wrapped up should check this hilarious comedy-drama starring Kris Marshall.

Marshall’s 2007 movie Death at a Funeral sees hilarity and chaos reign when one man tries to put his recently deceased father to rest after a mysterious guest shows up at the ceremony.

Thrown into the mix is accidentally drug ingestion, family tensions, dry wit and slapstick humour all blended together perfectly.

Death at a Funeral boasts an all-star including Pride and Prejudice and Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen, Game of Thrones’ Peter Dinklage, Keeley Hawes from The Durrells, Sherlock star Rupert Graves, Trainspotting actor Ewen Bremner, The Capture’s Andy Nyman, and Firefly’s Alan Tudyk, along with Marshall.

Although the movie was directed by Bowfinger filmmaker Frank Oz and shot in America, Death at a Funeral is very much a British comedy at its heart.

Death at a Funeral was remade in 2010 by the same production team, including writer Dean Craig, who penned the original and star Dinklage, who reprised his role for the film. However, the original movie is still hailed as the best version.

The film has been praised by audiences on IMDb, who have waxed lyrical about the British comedy.

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One person wrote on their 10/10 review: “It’s been a while since there’s been a genuinely good British farce, but this one pressed all the right buttons.”

Another person posted: “Death at a Funeral has a distinct Four Weddings and a Funeral feel.”

They elaborated: “Despite being directed by a Yank, Death at a Funeral has a very British flavour.

“In fact, at times it reminded me of nothing less than an extended episode of Fawlty Towers, minus the manic genius of John Cleese.”

A third user said their “nearly died laughing” in their 9/10 review and explained: “This film reminded me a bit of “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, but even more of those British madcap black comedies of the 60s with Alec Guinness or Peter Sellers.”

Someone else titled their 10/10 review: “One of the years best comedies” and said “When we came out of the theater, we’ve had tears in our eyes – it was just too hilarious! I haven’t laughed that much in a movie for quite a while [sic].” Adding: “You won’t regret watching it!”

Death at a Funeral is streaming on Prime Video for a fee

Beyond Paradise fans think Humphrey and Martha will leave Shipton Abbott for good

Beyond Paradise enthusiasts have voiced a devastating theory that Detective Humphrey Goodman (portrayed by Kris Marshall) will depart the Shipton Abbott police force to protect one of his team members.

During the opening episode of series four, Humphrey was informed by his new superior that, due to budget constraints, he must dismiss one of his colleagues.

Yet, while Humphrey has not yet broken the devastating news to the team, viewers believe they’ve already determined who will be departing – and there will be more than one exit on the cards.

One viewer commented on social media, “Could this be his last outing as they are looking to reduce staff? May he goes to save the others?”

Another concurred, “I was thinking the same thing,” while a third speculated, “Could be Humphrey, maybe he and Martha go back to Saint Marie?”, reports the Express.

“I’d love for this to happen,” a fourth enthusiast continued, with another suggesting, “Humphrey leaves to save the station and takes a job in Saint Marie.”

After Friday evening’s second episode, Zoe Williams (Melina Sinadinou) revealed to PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn) her intentions to leave Shipton Abbott and embark on travels to Australia.

Certain viewers also suspect Kelby might ultimately depart to travel alongside Zoe. One fan posted on social media, “Is Kelby going to leave to go travelling with Zoe?”

Another proposed, “Zoe off to Dolphin Cove would be great!!! Kelby in tow even more amazing (as long as he comes back) Poor Esther.”

A third enquired, “Kelby and Zoe off travelling?” Fans were equally quick to spot the nod to Death in Paradise spin-off, Return to Paradise, and were delighted at the possibility of a crossover between the two series.

As Zoe and Kelby crossed paths, Zoe remarked, “Sorry, I was miles away.”

“In Dolphin Cove,” Kelby replied, to which Zoe asked, “Have you been?”

“I wish,” the police officer responded. “It just says there. Sorry, I wasn’t snooping; it caught my eye. It looks like paradise. Are you planning on a holiday?”

“I am thinking about going travelling, seeing a bit of the world,” Zoe replied. “That is what life is about, isn’t it?”

Beyond Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

EXCLUSIVE: Beyond Paradise returns on March 27 with major cast changes as one beloved character has left Shipton Abbott

Beyond Paradise’s leading man, Kris Marshall, has revealed details about a co-star’s departure from the BBC drama. The Death in Paradise spin-off returns on March 27, with Humphrey and his colleagues tackling fresh mysteries in Shipton Abbott. Yet one familiar face will be conspicuously absent from the fourth series.

Detective Humphrey Goodman confronts a devastating choice in the forthcoming episodes after learning he must dismiss a member of staff from the station. The DI also encounters a new superior following news that his former boss, CS Charlie Woods (played by Jade Harrison), had transferred to a different division.

Discussing his co-star’s departure and the necessity of releasing a team member, Kris told Reach PLC exclusively: “I mean, there always has to be some kind of challenge for Humphrey in terms of, because, like I said, you know, otherwise he just wanders around.

“I mean, it’s that paradox, isn’t it, about TV detectives, they’re sort of fish out of water, they don’t really like rules, and yet they exist in one of the most sort of institutional, authoritarian hierarchies, the police force.

“He hates any kind of authority, he hates rules, he hates being told what he has to do, and so it’s thrust upon him, and it literally comes knocking on his door as it does. You know, he really detests that, really dislikes it, and he doesn’t like the pressure.”

When discussing his new superior and recent arrival, portrayed by Vincent Franklin, the Humphrey Goodman star continued, “And it’s held by the fact that, in terms of the storyline, you know, Vincent Franklin, who is just an absolute genius actor playing his sort of nemesis in this,” reports the Express.

“It just adds to that sort of, and he does it with such beautiful greasiness. It’s sort of wonderful. It sort of adds to the pressure for Humphrey, and so it’s a real stress for Humphrey moving forward because he is a kind of, like, bury your head in the sand kind of guy, when it comes to things like that.

“Solving puzzles or crimes or, you know, he’s like a dog with a bone. But, you know, when it comes to sort of real life, he’s like, well, surely if I put my head over here, that will just go away.”

Sally Bretton, who portrays Martha Lloyd, Kris’s on-screen spouse, also revealed details about Martha and Humphrey’s relationship and where the series resumes. The actress explained that residing on a boat was never part of Martha and Humphrey’s original vision.

She revealed, “Martha starts reflecting on, ‘Was this a bit of an unexpected twist anyway? Going to live on the boat as it wasn’t really the plan originally’.

“And maybe now that they’re married and they want to focus a lot on settling a little bit more, and maybe it’s time to start having a look at a house, and I think they want to focus on each other and have all of the fun and everything that they always have done, but they’ve been knocked off center a lot.”

Beyond Paradise is set to return on 27 March at 8pm on BBC One.