Death in Paradise spin-off Return to Paradise has just shared first-look pictures of the BBC cosy crime drama’s third season, ahead of its debut on Friday 6 November.
Starring Anna Samson as Detective Sergeant Mackenzie Clarke, the new season deals with the fallout of another of Glenn’s (Tai Hara) failed weddings, which went disastrously wrong in part due to ex-fiancé Mack’s involvement.
The new images hint at a potential change for Mack, as the BBC teases the DS is “temporarily out of her waistcoat and into the Dolphin Cove uniform alongside Senior Sergeant Philomena Strong”.
John Platt//BBC
John Platt//BBC
The new images also offer the first glimpse of Neighbours star Kerry Armstrong in the role of Mack’s “force-of-nature mother” Jillian, as well as a first look at Mack’s new love interest and Dolphin Cove’s “charismatic” new pathologist Leo Drake (Jacob Collins) as he “bags up a potential piece of compelling evidence”.
Meanwhile, “Glenn’s change in career path lands him in a spot of hot water”, while mainstay characters Colin (Lloyd Griffith), Reggie (Celia Ireland) and Felix (Aaron L. McGrath) return, committed to cracking the latest Dolphin Cove mystery.
John Platt//BBC
Further teasing what’s coming next across the next six-episode series, the synopsis states: “Following the shocking departure of pathologist Glenn Strong, Mack throws herself into her workload alongside the ever-faithful detective Senior Constable, Colin Cartwright.
“Mack and Colin find themselves untangling some of Dolphin Cove’s most impossible murders: an artist stabbed in full view of an audience; a wildlife worker killed in a locked cage and a famous film director shot at her own screening. But the biggest and most perplexing mystery of all will be Mack’s own heart.”
Talking to the BBC about what it’s like to play DS Mackenzie Clarke after three seasons, Samson said: “She takes me by surprise all the time. I know her so well and yet it is rare that I’ve predetermined her response to something. Something will annoy her that I didn’t expect or something will make her laugh that I didn’t expect.”
John Platt//BBC
John Platt//BBC
She added: “That’s a beautiful experience for an actor that the homework’s done, but you’re going with instinct on camera rather than predetermined choices. She’s always been kind, but she has a second thought before she says and does things that she wouldn’t have in the first or second series.
“That shows Colin’s influence on her. When Mack does something unexpectedly considered or kind, whether it be in dialogue or in action, that surprises me, and I think it probably surprises her as well.”
John Platt//BBC
Alongside “fiendish” cases, the BBC has also teased a new crop of guest stars for season three including Ngali Shaw, Mark Lee, Zöe Ventoura, Anthony Hayes, Matt Day, Bruce Spence and Robert Mammone.
Return to Paradise season 3 airs Friday 6 November on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer.
Read more Beyond Paradise news on our dedicated homepage.
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton’s life, is here. Buy Dolly in newsagents or online.
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.