The Crown

Death in Paradise is set to welcome some very exciting guest stars on Friday’s episode including a The Crown actor

Death in Paradise series 15 launched earlier this year and in Friday’s episode five, the BBC show is set to welcome a The Crown star.

In an exclusive first look obtained by the Mirror, Friday’s episode will see a touring theatre company in town for their final performance of Shakespeare’s Tempest on one of Saint Marie’s pristine beaches.

It comes as a Death in Paradise star has shared their delight at returning to a beloved role on the BBC crime series, calling it “wonderful”.

During a raucous drinking scene, one of the leads keels over dead after drinking from a bottle of red wine. Later, tests worryingly reveal that the liquid contained a lethal quantity of cyanide.

However, in a confusing development, two other actors drank from the same bottle both before and after the victim yet emerged unscathed. So how on earth did only one person perish?

To solve the case, DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, and his team must grapple with the grand egos of this ‘motley group of thespians’.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, played by Catherine Garton, is troubled when one of the cast members pursues a very personal vendetta against her.

Also during the episode, Mervin is informed that his half-brother, Solomon, is set to inherit everything from their deceased mother and promptly sell it off.

Mervin is desperate to hold onto some kind of memento of her. However, Solomon will not return any of his calls and with time slipping away, Mervin may need to go to unexpected lengths to reach his brother.

In an exclusive first look clip, it sees one of the theatre members, Jez Gorman, pester Mattie. Jez is played by actor, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, who is best known for playing Mark Bolland in The Crown. Other roles include Sanditon, The Next Level, I Fought the Law, Industry, and film Me Before You.

Jez is waiting for Mattie after work as he offers her a drink, saying: “I thought I could help you wind down after a hard day’s policing the streets. I’ve got some beers, a picnic blanket, and thought we could find a quiet beach… get to know each other!”

However, Mattie is quick to say: “Mr Gorman, did we not already have this conversation?” to which Jez replies: “We did, yes, but I thought what was happening was you were on duty, you had your colleagues around you, and I think you were saying what you felt you had to say.

“Come on, I’m not on this island for very long, how often do you get to do this with someone like me? Let’s just have some fun!”

At first, it seems as though Mattie is accepting the drink as she sits down next to Jez and takes the bottle of beer.

However, in a hilarious twist, she soon pours the beer over him and says: “Actually, now that I think about it… I did say that I was going to meet my friend… what’s the time?”

After pouring her beer over Jez, she exclaims: “Oh, what a shame! I do have somewhere to be right now though… do not bother me again unless it’s related to the case, Mr Gorman, you understand? Good, enjoy the rest of your evening!”

Death in Paradise airs on Fridays at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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Netflix has confirmed it’s making a brand-new historical series that will focus on a family ripped apart by betrayal

Netflix has announced plans to produce a period drama focused on one of the most harrowing periods in history.

The upcoming Netflix series comes from the same creative team behind another major period drama for the streaming giant, reports the Express.

IMDb users have been effusive in their praise for the programme, drawing parallels with acclaimed shows such as The Crown and Downton Abbey.

One viewer headed their 10/10 review: “A Masterpiece of Emotion and Visual Beauty.”

They elaborated: “I’m absolutely in love with this series. After waiting two whole years for the next six episodes, I couldn’t help but binge them all in one go. And wow, it was worth the wait! The actors are phenomenal-so much emotion in their performances that they pulled me into every moment. I cried, laughed, and felt everything in between.”

A second reviewer wrote in their 9/10 assessment: “Like the Crown but much more captivating.”

A third critic awarded 10/10, describing it as “an utterly gorgeous series” and noted: “The Crown wasn’t historically 100% accurate either, but did we absolutely adore every second of it and appreciate how beautifully done the series was? Well, I did at least.”

They continued: “This series had me captivated on every level from the first second it began.”

Another viewer commented: “If you like The Crown, you’ll like this” and explained: “Romantic would be something like Pride and Prejudice or Bridgerton. This was more like Downton Abbey or The Crown, where in the drama is the focus.”

Witches is a fresh series in the works at Netflix, brought to you by the producers of The Empress.

The narrative will unfold in medieval Germany, tracing the lives of three sisters amidst the German witch hunts.

As per Deadline, the drama will delve into a family torn asunder by “suspicion, accusation and betrayal”, their struggle to safeguard loved ones from the “grip of fear and fanaticism”, and the “unyielding resistance” during one of “Europe’s darkest chapters”.

In a statement to the publication, producers Robert and Katharina Eyssen expressed their immense joy at finding a “creative home” at Netflix once again, following their collaboration on The Empress.

The duo affirmed that the streaming giant “truly understood” their artistic vision, having built up “trust” over many years with the platform.

They added: “As with The Empress, we are creating a family story centered on strong, complex, and defiant female characters.

“It is a radically emotional story that explores marginalization and persecution – a series that provokes thought, sweeps you along, and gets under your skin [sic].”

This announcement follows reports that filming has concluded for season three of the International Emmy-winning The Empress in Bavaria, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Production for the third season kicked off in September 2025 and it has been confirmed as the final instalment for the sprawling period drama.

The final series will comprise six episodes, delving into the aftermath of the Sardinian War and Emperor Franz (portrayed by Philip Froissant) returning from the frontlines burdened with trauma and guilt over the loss of thousands of young lives.

Empress Elisabeth von Wittelsbach (Devrim Lingnau) will support him as she battles for her marriage and the empire.

She will also encounter difficulties at court due to her deteriorating health, leading her to depart Vienna and embark on an unforeseen journey.

The Empress season 3 is set to launch on Netflix later this year.

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The Empress season 3 will be released on Netflix later this year

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The Countryfile presenter has opened up about her initial nerves during Strictly Come Dancing, which she joined following her split from rugby player Richie Myler

Former Blue Peter host Helen Skelton navigated a difficult period following her separation from rugby league player Richie Myler, ultimately reaching the final of Strictly Come Dancing. However, the Countryfile star has admitted she felt “terrified” during the competition’s early weeks.

“I tried to leave,” she disclosed on Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast. “I ran and hid on the fire escape, and they filmed Strictly next to The Crown, and there’s a massive wall. I kid you not, I was looking at the wall and thinking, ‘I could get over that’.”

Helen revealed that a member of the production team persuaded her to return to the studio, where her professional dancing partner Gorka Márquez delivered some crucial words of encouragement: “I remember he said to me: ‘It’s like jumping out of a plane, you’ve got to engage the parachute’.”

“He was so wonderful,” Helen continued, praising the Spanish dancer’s unwavering support, which helped build her confidence from those anxious beginnings through to her memorable Cabaret-themed Couple’s Choice routine in the final, which earned a flawless score of 40.

“By the final, I’ve gone from hiding on the fire escape, being terrified to look at the dance floor, to just freestyling. Even all the professionals were crying laughing. They were like, ‘Who are you?'” she said.

Helen’s Strictly experience wasn’t without its challenges, including an unfortunate costume mishap during the semi-finals when part of her outfit tore and hung around her leg for the remainder of the routine. Nevertheless, Helen persevered and secured an impressive 37 points — with Shirley Ballas awarding her and Gorka the lowest mark of 8, while Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke both gave them a 10.

Speaking to Kate, Helen revealed that despite the personal anguish of her eight-year marriage ending, she remained resolute that the circumstances wouldn’t impact her performance — or influence how the Strictly judges scored her.

She remembered: “A few people said if you’d have just cried and gone on about what was going on, you might have won it.”

Helen added that numerous friends had urged her to take up the Strictly opportunity purely due to the massive public fascination with her marriage split: “My friends were just like, ‘Just do it. Just do it.

“It’s going to swallow you up. Just do it. Like, there’s so many people talking about you and looking at you. They may as well look at you in a sparkly dress, mate.'”

Following Helen’s decision to accept the invitation, some audience members claimed she might have had an advantage due to her childhood tap-dancing background. Speaking to ITV’s Lorraine at the time, she said: “I found it so funny when they said it was a fix — Helen’s a tap-dancing champion. When I was seven, yes, I did tap dancing.

“Like lots of little girls and boys, I did dancing and absolutely loved it. I hit an age where I didn’t want to be in a leotard in public and I gave it up. I wish I hadn’t!”