'Death in Paradise' Season 15 Confirms Filming with First Look Image

Filming for Death in Paradise Season 15 is officially underway, with the BBC posting the first image from the set in Guadaloupe. The series, which underwent a revival of sorts in Season 14 with its fifth lead in just over a decade, has never been more popular, with viewership remaining strong. (Notably, the usual whiners who pretend a series is "going downhill" when a Black actor takes over the lead role attempted to flood the online entertainment space with nonsense that the series would be canceled or the new lead actor would be immediately canned were wrong on both counts.) New lead Don Gilet will be back for Season 15, and though there is more turnover to come — some of which is already in motion — it looks like everyone's favorites will be back for the yearly December-timed Christmas episode, if not the rest of Season 15.  

Like Doctor Who, Death in Paradise turns over leads every few years, though not because the demands of being the most famous Time-and-Space traveler can wear on you, but because of the commute. As mentioned above, Death in Paradise is filmed on location on the island of Guadaloupe, one of the many Caribbean islands that were annexed by various European countries. That's been part of the show's appeal, showcasing crimes being solved in an island paradise, typically by a pale-skinned Englishman who views the place as his own personal hell. Switching to a Black actor in the role (who also doesn't want to be a double-digit hour flight away from his home in London) somewhat upends the series' premise, but makes up for it by opening fresh storytelling avenues to explore.

The social media caption accompanying the post reads: "We're back in paradise. Filming has begun this week in Guadeloupe on the brand-new series of #DeathInParadise."

There's no synopsis for Season 15 as yet, which isn't that unusual, considering Death in Paradise is a mystery-of-the-week, guest-star-driven series. However, fans expect some of the major throughlines from Season 14 to carry over, including DI Mervin Wilson's discovery that he has a sibling who lives in St. Marie, and the replacement of Selwyn Patterson as the chief of police in St. Marie. As is tradition with these sorts of shows, Patterson's replacement does not last, and by the Season 14 finale, he's been offered back his old position, giving viewers a return to the status quo. However, Patterson decided to buck the system and stay retired, though for now, he's expected to remain as part of the cast and in St. Marie.

The Season 15 cast has not been confirmed, but Gilet revealed he would return for a second season as DI Wilson. Warrington is expected to return at least for the December 2025 Christmas special; his continuation past that remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the only other actor to appear in every season alongside Warrington, Élizabeth Bourgine, is expected to return as Catherine Bordey. It also seems likely that Season 15 will bring back Shantol Jackson as Wilson's Number 2, DS Naomi Thomas, Ginny Holder as the police department's civilian staffer Darlene Curtis, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as the newest PC at the station, Sebastian Rose, and, of course, Harry the Lizard. Guest stars are expected to be announced in due course.

The series was created by Robert Thorogood, who handed over lead writer duties to James Hall after Season 10. Hall will pen new episodes along with current script regulars Tom Nash, Patrick Homes, and James Coleman. Directors for Season 15 are likely to be Leon Lopez, Jennie Paddon, and Ian Aryeh. Thorogood remains an executive producer alongside Tim Key, Tony Jordan, Belinda Campbell, Alex Jones, and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC.

Death in Paradise's "Festive Special" (as Holiday episodes are known as in the U.K.) is expected to debut on the BBC and BritBox in December 2025. Season 15 will follow in early 2026.