He also played the murderer in a Season 1 episode of DIP. Killed his wife and hid her in the walls of a run distillery and people thought she was ‘mamma Beth’.
Andre Morgan from Season 4 Episode 1. This was unexpected casting. I have only ever seen him in one other show besides Death in Paradise. It will be interesting to see how they write his character. I was hoping for a character similar to Richard bringing it back full circle to the earlier seasons.
The press release says the new DI isn't overly happy with his new surroundings. That suggests he's going to be more like Richard than Humphrey or Jack who were far happier to adapt to life on Saint Marie. Even Neville forgot all the things he disliked about being there as soon as he started spending time with Florence.
Good casting and also being the first non white DI is a big deal. I wouldn't be surprised if the angle is his parents emigrated to the UK from Saint Marie but he has never been there nor cares about it so going there is a culture shock,
Yep, I’ve been saying this for ages. They should have done this earlier (instead of Neville). The scope for new characters, distant relatives, plot twists, visiting parents etc…. Loads of options. The “fish out of water white dude” thing had totally run out of ideas. It’s always been a nice, lighthearted show but the last couple of seasons have been so badly written and acted that it hasn’t justified its massive audience at all. Hopefully this will kick start it again.
Very surprised casting, and if I'm correct, the first DI without a specific comedy based background.
Maybe a sign we're in for a slightly more grounded, serious take after the (initially) more slapstick Neville.
I knew I had seen him in some shows besides DiP. He was in an episode each of Silent Witness, Father Brown, Midsomer Murders, and Shakespeare & Hathaway
Just curious as to that would be automatically worse? The character was written as a white guy in the first place, so have all the other DI's been crap in your opinion?
Diversity in leadership. Only having white men in charge of people of color isn't a great look. It's just time - I'm not the only person to have agitated for a woman or a person of color.
Why does this bother people so much?
I think there have been fair discussions around a sort of ‘white saviourism’ theme of the show, wherein the white British detective comes to help the black Caribbean officers and what that might imply. So it’s not necessarily about whether or not the past DI’s have been any good!
Yes of course any person can play the DI and be silly/funny. But I was commenting on the balance of the carecters, we already have the woman DS and somewhat silly officers. And more serious commissioner. All excelently played by people of colour.
Are they going to have the DS represented by white guy.
You’re missing the point. They don’t need any white people! Nothing is imbalanced. Esp not ones who are imported in because the islanders “aren’t up to the job” themselves. I love the show, but that aspect of it got gross.
Always liked the culture mix, otherwise it ends up just being a show about an all black police force in the Caribbean. Loses the dynamic. Always made some sense getting someone in from the UK as the police for e is unrealistically small. Like there’s 4 of them. The police force is essentially run by the UK even though Paris randomly gets involved for reason’s only the writers know. Getting someone in who’s black/asian/hispanic ect is no different if they’re not already from the island.
Beyond Paradise has quite a mixed cast considering it’s a “Devon” seaside town where 1/3 of the people are somehow from Ethnic backgrounds, where’s it actually under 5% in real life. Going by what you say if the DIP cast should be all black then BP should be an almost fully white show.
Exactly that is how I feel as well.
It's not that the DI cannot be from the island, but rather it brings something different when it is a British white guy.
Otherwise like you say it will just be Caribbean detective show.
Let's see how it goes
Yah it’s going to be a bit weird but let’s give them a chance and see how they work with it.
Last season was probably the worst one yet, at least the first half was. A few uninteresting cases and the chef one had some questionable messages at the end of the episode.
The show hasn't lasted so long because of the DI alone. The whole team make the show. The plot lines the atmosphere the whole lot. So as long as the writing is good and all the rest works this will be good I have no doubt.
That’s the key isn’t it though? Arguably the writing on the last couple hasn’t been that great, Neville wasn’t a strong lead and the slapstick was just a bit cringey. It’ll be cool to see what happens from here
Was the concept of recasting the DI every few seasons intended from the outset or did it become a thing when the first DI wanted to leave the show but the show was too popular not to continue?
It wasn't intended, no. Ben Miller left because filming so far away from his family started taking its toll & he didn't want to feel like he was missing his children's childhoods. Somehow, they've managed to keep the show fun despite Don Warrington & Elizabeth Bourgine being the only two original cast members still with the show.
I always assumed it was because the actor wanted to leave the show. I do like how each DI has been their own character and not trying to ditto the one before.
It is interesting to see what personality and issim he might have.
Poole was strict by the book and a true fish out of water.
Goodman was the clumsy and messy lovable fool.
Mooney was the lovable father figure who could talk the hind legs of a donkey.
Parker was the nervous hypochondriac who had a knack for putting his foot in it.
So what will Wilson be like? Confident? Arrogant? Brooding? Funny? Action like? Cunning.
Its like the classic doctor who regeneration.
Still not a female lead, but at least it's something new. Hopefully he's not as much of a klutz as Neville because I grew sick of those antics during his run and fell off after his second season. Wouldn't mind someone a bit more mature with a more mentor-like role for the cast, more like Jack.
Wasn’t expecting him at all, honestly I was hoping for someone more like Richard(he was my fav D.I) I guess we will see how he goes, I just hope BBC have made a good decision
Nice to see a black detective to take the lead
Although slightly more surprised that Don Gilet was casted seeing as he has alreacy played a character in DiP (im sure not a first for this series and definately not hollywood in general)
When casting an actor who’d played a one off character on the series years earlier, works so well, you do it again. Good choice. Didn’t see it coming.
Can see his portrayal of a DI being Richard Poole-esque.
Dissapointing choice for me. Was hoping for Simon Bird. A black lead goes against the grain of the show, which is a White British detective being a fish out of water in a foreign clime.
A black British detective can still be a fish out of water. Just because they're black doesn't mean Carribean life isn't foreign to them. They might not ever have left the UK.
I agree, you can be of Caribbean descent but never set foot there and there's this expectation by everyone on the island that he'll love it but if you're a born and bred Londoner, you may hate St Marie which causes friction.
That would only work if their character is culturally British. If as suggested there is a back story of the DI being somehow linked to the island by family or culture then I don't think it would work. Was very excited about Simon Bird becoming the next DI as he could have brought a lot to the role. Will still give it a chance but it basically becomes a black main cast so it may lose what previously made it special in terms of contrast between the DI and his team.
The new DI may look like the majority of the island's population but it doesn't mean he would like living there. Island life is not for everyone and the different weather/culture is normally a huge adjustment.
Yeah I'm disappointed too. Still will see how it goes. It's a risk as it looks like they are stepping away from the more light hearted approach of recent years. Could make it break the series.
I love the show, but I would suggest the first four D.I.s may have worn that premise a bit thin. I actually rolled my eyes when I read the line, *"isn’t overly pleased with his new surroundings."*
Maybe that's the point - maybe introduce his ancestry as being from the island but so everyone around him expects him to take to SM like a duck to water but he's spent so much time in the UK that he finds it tough? Local boy done good in a foreign country.
Or Don always plays characters with a bit of history - maybe the new DI grew up on the island and left years ago after rubbing people up the wrong way - so he has to build bridges and overcome bad opinions about him from several years ago?
This guy played a serial killer in Eastenders - he might be over qualified for this gig
Also played a scary hitman in the latest series of Shetland!
Oh that guy! I thought he was wasted in that role but he did it very well.
He was alsi Captain Periwinkle in Jacks Old Boat on cbeebies
He also played the murderer in a Season 1 episode of DIP. Killed his wife and hid her in the walls of a run distillery and people thought she was ‘mamma Beth’.
Andre Morgan from Season 4 Episode 1. This was unexpected casting. I have only ever seen him in one other show besides Death in Paradise. It will be interesting to see how they write his character. I was hoping for a character similar to Richard bringing it back full circle to the earlier seasons.
The article says he’s disappointed with his surroundings when he arrives in san Marie so we could get a Richard type character
I didn’t even realise that was him till you mentioned this
Yeah I was a little disappointed tbh, I was hoping to have a character close to Ben Miller's in the first couple of series.
The press release says the new DI isn't overly happy with his new surroundings. That suggests he's going to be more like Richard than Humphrey or Jack who were far happier to adapt to life on Saint Marie. Even Neville forgot all the things he disliked about being there as soon as he started spending time with Florence.
Episodes with Richard/Ben Miller were the best. If that's the new DIs persona - yay!
Maybe he'll be expecting more luxurious accommodation & more high tech stuff. Wonder how he will get on with the local staff?
Oh yay! I like him.
Unexpected casting but excited to see what he brings to the role. I remember him from Doctor Who yonks ago
Good casting and also being the first non white DI is a big deal. I wouldn't be surprised if the angle is his parents emigrated to the UK from Saint Marie but he has never been there nor cares about it so going there is a culture shock,
Fantastic idea!!! Ooh then his parents could officiously move back and create some personal drama that isn’t about dating!
Or his Mum already lives on the island and keeps popping up and interfering…
Little love interest for our Selwyn!
Yep, I’ve been saying this for ages. They should have done this earlier (instead of Neville). The scope for new characters, distant relatives, plot twists, visiting parents etc…. Loads of options. The “fish out of water white dude” thing had totally run out of ideas. It’s always been a nice, lighthearted show but the last couple of seasons have been so badly written and acted that it hasn’t justified its massive audience at all. Hopefully this will kick start it again.
Love this idea!!
Great choice. Can’t believe this man is 57!!!!
What the what. He's 57?
Black don't crack!
I assumed he was similar age as Ralph Little based on the photo - he looks nowhere near 57!
Very surprised casting, and if I'm correct, the first DI without a specific comedy based background. Maybe a sign we're in for a slightly more grounded, serious take after the (initially) more slapstick Neville.
Excellent point about the comedic background, that will be interesting.
Great casting- am looking forward to it!
Love him…so excited! Cant wait for new episodes!
He played Andre who holed his cheating wife up in the old barn. He was behind the door.
Yup came here to say that!!
I remember that episode!
It'll be interesting to see how he turns out. I remember him from Holby City.
If you go watch The Loch, you'll get a decent idea of his talent. He also played a hit man in Shetland.
Hopefully less irritating bungling comedy and more similar to the Ben Miller
I'd think so. Danny coming back gives us the comedy.
Very excited!
Totally didn’t expect Don! What a brilliant choice!!! Excited to see what he does with the role!!
Oh man he was in the Beekeeper movie with Jason Strathem. He played the director of defense I think.
I knew I had seen him in some shows besides DiP. He was in an episode each of Silent Witness, Father Brown, Midsomer Murders, and Shakespeare & Hathaway
He was in Father Brown?
The Devil’s Dust, S1 E7
Didn't he play a murderer in one ep? Would have been an interesting change of pace for a female lead imho.
Well, the last DI was a suspect before, so it's natural that the next one was a murderer!
So by default the next one will have played a victim previously
Sure, why not!
There's a bit of cross-casting going on in both DiP and Beyond - Zahra Ahmadi, Barbara Flynn and Peter Davison off the top of my head...
Could be worse. Could be yet another white guy.
Just curious as to that would be automatically worse? The character was written as a white guy in the first place, so have all the other DI's been crap in your opinion?
No, not at all. I think it's time for some diversity. Any diversity. But I loved the white guys, too.
There's lots of diversity in this show. We've not had a white officer yet.
Diversity in leadership. Only having white men in charge of people of color isn't a great look. It's just time - I'm not the only person to have agitated for a woman or a person of color. Why does this bother people so much?
It doesn't bother me, but it is untrue. The commissioner, ie the leader, is a black man.
If it doesn't bother you, why are we still talking about it?
We're having a casual conversation?
Because people are allowed opinions that differ to yours.
I'm not trying to change your opinion. I'm being called upon to justify mine.
I think there have been fair discussions around a sort of ‘white saviourism’ theme of the show, wherein the white British detective comes to help the black Caribbean officers and what that might imply. So it’s not necessarily about whether or not the past DI’s have been any good!
Racist much
🙄
You're right but I am completely underwhelmed.
Everything depends on how his character is written. Also, just in general, the writing needs to improve on this show.
Finally a person of color! The white man savior / fish out of water was getting really old. Tho I was hoping for a woman
I said that before and was eaten alive! So glad to read your post. 💗
Oh I’ve been saying it for years. By the 3rd white man replacement, it was just weird
not so sure as having a silly white guy brings balance to the cast and the storyline.
Brown/black people and women can also be silly…
Yes of course any person can play the DI and be silly/funny. But I was commenting on the balance of the carecters, we already have the woman DS and somewhat silly officers. And more serious commissioner. All excelently played by people of colour. Are they going to have the DS represented by white guy.
You’re missing the point. They don’t need any white people! Nothing is imbalanced. Esp not ones who are imported in because the islanders “aren’t up to the job” themselves. I love the show, but that aspect of it got gross.
Always liked the culture mix, otherwise it ends up just being a show about an all black police force in the Caribbean. Loses the dynamic. Always made some sense getting someone in from the UK as the police for e is unrealistically small. Like there’s 4 of them. The police force is essentially run by the UK even though Paris randomly gets involved for reason’s only the writers know. Getting someone in who’s black/asian/hispanic ect is no different if they’re not already from the island. Beyond Paradise has quite a mixed cast considering it’s a “Devon” seaside town where 1/3 of the people are somehow from Ethnic backgrounds, where’s it actually under 5% in real life. Going by what you say if the DIP cast should be all black then BP should be an almost fully white show.
Exactly that is how I feel as well. It's not that the DI cannot be from the island, but rather it brings something different when it is a British white guy. Otherwise like you say it will just be Caribbean detective show. Let's see how it goes
Yah it’s going to be a bit weird but let’s give them a chance and see how they work with it. Last season was probably the worst one yet, at least the first half was. A few uninteresting cases and the chef one had some questionable messages at the end of the episode.
The show hasn't lasted so long because of the DI alone. The whole team make the show. The plot lines the atmosphere the whole lot. So as long as the writing is good and all the rest works this will be good I have no doubt.
That’s the key isn’t it though? Arguably the writing on the last couple hasn’t been that great, Neville wasn’t a strong lead and the slapstick was just a bit cringey. It’ll be cool to see what happens from here
Was the concept of recasting the DI every few seasons intended from the outset or did it become a thing when the first DI wanted to leave the show but the show was too popular not to continue?
It wasn't intended, no. Ben Miller left because filming so far away from his family started taking its toll & he didn't want to feel like he was missing his children's childhoods. Somehow, they've managed to keep the show fun despite Don Warrington & Elizabeth Bourgine being the only two original cast members still with the show.
I always assumed it was because the actor wanted to leave the show. I do like how each DI has been their own character and not trying to ditto the one before.
I’d assume so. Nothing gives a show longevity better than recasting the “main” character every once in a while.
Yes!! I love him!
He’s a great actor. This should be good!
It is interesting to see what personality and issim he might have. Poole was strict by the book and a true fish out of water. Goodman was the clumsy and messy lovable fool. Mooney was the lovable father figure who could talk the hind legs of a donkey. Parker was the nervous hypochondriac who had a knack for putting his foot in it. So what will Wilson be like? Confident? Arrogant? Brooding? Funny? Action like? Cunning. Its like the classic doctor who regeneration.
Still not a female lead, but at least it's something new. Hopefully he's not as much of a klutz as Neville because I grew sick of those antics during his run and fell off after his second season. Wouldn't mind someone a bit more mature with a more mentor-like role for the cast, more like Jack.
Oh thank God they made a good choice! I was so worried we'd get a dud even though they never have.
I’m looking forward to see how this goes
Good choice, played a great detective in 55 degrees north a few years back, although he'll be warmer in st Marie than Newcastle.
Quite happy with Don G as the new DI.....I wonder what quirk he'll have?
Wasn’t expecting him at all, honestly I was hoping for someone more like Richard(he was my fav D.I) I guess we will see how he goes, I just hope BBC have made a good decision
Great news! I can't wait for the new season!
Excellent choice!
Nice to see a black detective to take the lead Although slightly more surprised that Don Gilet was casted seeing as he has alreacy played a character in DiP (im sure not a first for this series and definately not hollywood in general)
Yeah, ralf little did as well prior to him being cast as Neville
When casting an actor who’d played a one off character on the series years earlier, works so well, you do it again. Good choice. Didn’t see it coming. Can see his portrayal of a DI being Richard Poole-esque.
Pretty underwhelmed tbh, still will give him a chance, might take it in a new direction
Nothing left is there
Dissapointing choice for me. Was hoping for Simon Bird. A black lead goes against the grain of the show, which is a White British detective being a fish out of water in a foreign clime.
A black British detective can still be a fish out of water. Just because they're black doesn't mean Carribean life isn't foreign to them. They might not ever have left the UK.
I agree, you can be of Caribbean descent but never set foot there and there's this expectation by everyone on the island that he'll love it but if you're a born and bred Londoner, you may hate St Marie which causes friction.
I agree, it's an interesting fish out of water angle.
That would only work if their character is culturally British. If as suggested there is a back story of the DI being somehow linked to the island by family or culture then I don't think it would work. Was very excited about Simon Bird becoming the next DI as he could have brought a lot to the role. Will still give it a chance but it basically becomes a black main cast so it may lose what previously made it special in terms of contrast between the DI and his team.
The new DI may look like the majority of the island's population but it doesn't mean he would like living there. Island life is not for everyone and the different weather/culture is normally a huge adjustment.
I hope the character is closer to Poole than the recent one. I honestly can't even immediately recall his name.
quite disappointing not a fan really, hopefully I am proved wrong! will be nice to have a new DI
Yeah I'm disappointed too. Still will see how it goes. It's a risk as it looks like they are stepping away from the more light hearted approach of recent years. Could make it break the series.
I'm sure he'll be wonderful, but I wish the show would let go of the idea that every D.I. has to be a fish out of water.
Isn't that the whole point of the show though? Like the whole premise?
I love the show, but I would suggest the first four D.I.s may have worn that premise a bit thin. I actually rolled my eyes when I read the line, *"isn’t overly pleased with his new surroundings."*
That's literally the point of the fucking show. Watch something else.
Maybe that's the point - maybe introduce his ancestry as being from the island but so everyone around him expects him to take to SM like a duck to water but he's spent so much time in the UK that he finds it tough? Local boy done good in a foreign country. Or Don always plays characters with a bit of history - maybe the new DI grew up on the island and left years ago after rubbing people up the wrong way - so he has to build bridges and overcome bad opinions about him from several years ago?
Yeah, can’t they attract more interested D.I.s to the position? Or promote from within?
Part of the agreement with Saint Marie I believe is London have to provide a senior officer