Paradises

Tensions are headed to Dolphin Cove as DI Mackenzie Clarke finds herself involved in a love triangle alongside her ex-fiancé Glenn in the second season of Return to Paradise.

Actor Tai Hara has revealed DI Mackenzie Clarke and his on-screen alter ego Glenn Strong are set for a tense love triangle in Return to Paradise‘s second season.

Lloyd Griffith returns to Dolphin Cove as Colin alongside Mackenzie’s Anna Samson, and he’s convinced his character’s relationship with Mackenzie has more benefits than he may imagine.

“Colin is becoming a better police officer because of his relationship with Mackenzie,” Lloyd says, “And Mackenzie is becoming a better human because of Colin. It’s a relationship that works both ways. They slowly realise that they are friends by the end of it,” Lloyd says.

Season two’s opening episode, where a shark researcher is found dead at sea, surprised Lloyd. “It could seem far-fetched but when we were going to the beach, even before filming, there would be signs saying the shark nets had been removed,” remembers Lloyd.

“It’s a genuine thing where there are sharks and you do have to be careful.” Sydney native Tai Hara adds: “There are attacks as well. It’s a very real part of our lives.”

Tai Hara reprises the role of Glenn Strong, navigating the rocky dynamics of the pathologist’s love triangle with Mackenzie and his fiancée Daisy.

“There’s a lot in store for their relationship,” he teases, “He’s navigating the love triangle he has with Daisy. A lot of work goes into making that a fully-fledged arc in the series.”

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Last season, Mackenzie left London amid professional setbacks, landing in the fictional Australian town she once fled under a cloud of suspicion.

Season one saw her embroiled in multiple murder cases and a tense reunion with ex-fiancé Glenn Strong. Glenn has moved on with Daisy Dixon (Andrea Demetriades) but made his feelings for Mackenzie clear – complicating her plans to escape.

The new season opens with Mackenzie choosing to stay in Dolphin Cove, much to fellow detective Colin Cartwright’s (Lloyd Griffith) exasperation.

For Lloyd, however, Colin’s reunion with his friends from home posed a real challenge. “Colin’s friends come from Lincolnshire and you find out a little bit more about Colin. You see a different side to him,” Lloyd says.

The change required adjustment. “Colin is very happy-go-lucky, he loves the community that has welcomed him with open arms. In that episode, you see why Colin has come to Australia. I found that most challenging but also rewarding and loved it.”

Overall, the pair were thrilled to Return to Paradise and Tai was thrilled to share the spotlight with his good friend Anna Samson. “We have a really wonderful friendship outside of the show, it was the first time we’d ever worked together,” Tai says. “It always feels easy. That’s one of the benefits of working with someone who you consider a really dear friend.”

Anna reveals that Mackenzie will also have time to explore dating apps this season. “One episode is about online dating, the comedy and tyranny they come with,” she says, “That’s another glimpse into Mackenzie. For the first time, I’m in an entirely different costume for one whole episode.”

Return to Paradise comes back to BBC One on Friday, October 31st at 8pm.

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Death in Paradise actor Kris Marshall has been spotted on the set of BBC drama Beyond Paradise with a familiar face, who starred in the crime series with him

Outlander star Colin McFarlane has been spotted on the Beyond Paradise set, sending fans into a frenzy of excitement.

A photograph was enthusiastically posted on a Facebook fan group devoted to the programme.

Beaming widely, the actor was photographed alongside a devoted fan, dressed in dark brown trousers and a white vest, topped with a checked shirt.

A microphone could be seen clipped to Colin’s vest, suggesting filming was underway.

In a second picture, Colin appears with Kris Marshall, who plays lead detective Humphrey Goodman. This time, he appears seemingly in full costume, wearing a green gilet over his checked shirt while clutching what appears to be gardening gloves.

Meanwhile, Kris was casually attired in a white vest, navy trousers, and brown shoes as they wandered about the filming location.

The fan who shared the snap cheekily observed: “Kris in his best togs,” according to the Express.

While the behind-the-scenes shots thrilled viewers, some eagle-eyed supporters quickly noticed a fascinating connection—Colin had previously appeared in Death in Paradise.

Colin starred in the sixth episode of Death in Paradise’s fourth series, playing the character Anton Burrage, where Kris’s DI Goodman and his colleagues were tasked with investigating a volleyball player’s murder.

Supporters on the page were quick to acknowledge the reunion, with one noting: “Looks like Selwyn’s volleyball friend from Death in Paradise with him.

“Mr Barrage,” another chimed in.

A different fan expressed their fondness for the actor accompanying Kris, saying, “Oh, I like the actor with him. He’s usually really posh or very bad.

“The guy with Kris was with him in DIP, too. In the volleyball episode,” pointed out another.

In other news, Colin has been bestowed with an honorary degree from Loughborough University.

The 63-year-old British thespian, scribe, and producer, famed for his portrayal of Gillian B. Loeb in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy, was honoured by his alma mater for his “outstanding contributions to the arts and his role in championing men’s health issues.”

Fans can catch episodes of Death in Paradise on BBC iPlayer.

Death in Paradise’ JP Hooper, played by Tobi Bakare, is making a comeback to the show after departing the BBC programme in 2021 after seven years on the island of Saint Marie

Death in Paradise fnas were thrilled when the programme returned to BBC for a fresh series, showcasing familiar faces alongside newcomer DI Mervin Wilson (played by Don Gilet).

Nevertheless, there’s a recognisable character making their way back to Saint Marie after leaving in 2021. Performer Tobi Bakare, who played JP Hooper on the enduring BBC drama for seven years, chose to step away from the role.

Viewers of the BBC favourite watched the beloved character’s departure after Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) presented him with an opportunity elsewhere.

Taking up the fresh role, JP moved his family and departed at the end of series 10. The performer revealed that he sensed his stint on the programme was coming to an end three years before his character bid farewell to Saint Marie.

He told RadioTimes that the realisation struck him during filming for series seven whilst in a church.

He explained: “The preacher mentioned seven years in a message. As soon as he mentioned seven years, I don’t know what happened. It just clicked.

“It was like a moment of realisation. I had three more years left. It was three more years until it would be seven years, but it just hit me so hard. At this time, my wife was in the UK, and I told her that I know when it’s going to be time for me to leave the show.

“But I wanted her to go away, pray about it, and think about it. She’d done so, and called me up the next day, and said, ‘2020’. So the exact time of the seven years. So we were like, ‘Yeah, that’s the time.’ That’s the actual reason.”

Although Tobi revealed this to co-star Tahj Miles, who portrays Officer Marlon Pryce, their on-screen partnership almost made him reconsider his decision to leave.

He admitted: “You were the one that created the conflict in between me leaving because we found the flow.”

Tahj’s character was introduced in season 10, and despite some initial friction with JP, they eventually formed a strong bond.

However, it remains uncertain how their relationship will evolve upon JP’s return. Fans were overjoyed by the news, as revealed on Death in Paradise’s official Instagram, with comments flooding in.

One thrilled viewer exclaimed: “So nice to see Tobi back, loved his character,” while another expressed: “I miss you JP!” A fan posted: “OMG I hope we get JP for more than one episode!” With another remarking: “Hope JP is back to stay!”

Another wrote: “Yayyy! Would LOVE to have JP back for several episodes,” and another simply enthused: “Ahhhh JP is back!”

Seasons one to 14 of Death in Paradise are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.