Death in Paradise fans believe they’ve exposed a huge twist about DI Mervin Wilson ahead of the new BBC series. The thought-provoking theory, which has gone viral on Reddit, links the character to the long-running crime show and its spin-off, Return to Paradise. Mervin, played by actor Don Gilet, arrived in Saint Marie last series.
He was introduced to the show to help investigate the suspicious death of his mother, Dorna Bray, played by Judith Jacob. By the end of the series, Mervin had solved the case and uncovered another surprise: a half-brother named Solomon Clarke now living i Antigua.
This huge revelation gave Mervin a personal reason to stay on the island and uncover the truth about his family ties. Now, viewers have been speculating about his unexpected connection to the show online, with many predicting that Death in Paradise is preparing for a crossover with the sister show.
The Australian-set spin-off launched back in 2024 and stars Anna Samson as detective Mackenzie Clarke. One popular theory has been shared by users on an online forum.
They wrote: “Some time after Mervin Wilson is born, Dorna Bray gets together with ‘Mr Clarke’ and they have a child called Solomon. This relationship doesn’t work out – ‘Mr Clarke’ then moves to Australia, gets together with a new partner, and they have a daughter called Mackenzie! Death in Paradise/ Return to Paradise crossover!”
It didn’t take long before fans flocked to the comments to share their thoughts on their suggestion online. One user penned: “That would be cool… That would be nice for Mervin, going from being alone to now having a sibling or siblings.”
The possibility of a family link between characters from both series has since sparked excitement. Both shows exist in the same fictional universe, so a crossover isn’t out of the question.
The BBC has since confirmed that Death in Paradise will return for a 15th series, and new episodes are expected to delve further into Mervin’s story and his previously unknown connection to Solomon Clarke.
So far, Solomon has only been referenced in a letter, but some fans believe he could appear in the upcoming series. There is no casting announcement for Solomon yet, but the mystery has sparked intrigue among fans online.
Death in Paradise has already expanded its horizons in the BBC universe, with Beyond Paradise, starring Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman. Return to Paradise is the second spin-off show, which is set in Australia and follows a new team of detectives on their adventures.
The Clarke family name is a key part of the spin-off show, leading fans to speculate about shared family members between the shows. Mackenzie Clarke is the central detective in Return to Paradise.
If Solomon is revealed as her brother and also Mervin’s half-brother, then both detectives could be part of the same extended family. As a result, the storyline could potentially lead to a crossover special in the future.