Death in Paradise has solved its 'white saviour' problem
The introduction of a new detective in Saint Marie signals the start of a different, less comfortable phase for the popular crime series.
Have we hit the limit of cozy crime? With the constant presence of "Death in Paradise" and its spin-offs on BBC One this Christmas, it seems like there's more than enough to go around. Forget about feeling bloated after your turkey meal; soon you might need something like Alka-Seltzer just to deal with all that TV!
With that in mind, this year's Christmas special of Death in Paradise made a subtle yet significant shift away from its usual cozy atmosphere. The extended episode served not only as a holiday treat but also as a debut for the latest lead detective, DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, who has taken over the main role from Ralf Little.
Wilson, a grumpy detective from the Metropolitan Police known for his bucket hat, was on the island of Saint Marie when a double homicide took place. The victims, both adorned in Santa costumes, had mysteriously been shot with the same firearm at the exact moment, even though they were located far apart. Quite puzzling.
Sent by his boss in London to help out the understaffed Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (played by Don Warrington), Wilson had another motivation for his trip to the island. He was determined to finally meet his birth mother, whom he had never encountered before. Unfortunately, he discovered that it was too late for that.
By choosing to cast a Black actor, the show effectively addresses the longstanding criticism of Death in Paradise having a "white saviour problem." I believe that Gilet aimed for his casting choice to be more meaningful than just a token gesture, and I am confident that it wasn't simply about appearances. Nonetheless, this decision helps to counter the troubling, colonial notion of a white outsider swooping in to resolve issues that local authorities can’t manage.
What really matters about Gilet isn't the color of his skin, but rather his background in serious drama. Previous actors like Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O'Hanlon, and Ralf Little all had experience in comedy before joining the show. Up until now, Gilet's most notable performance was as a serial killer in EastEnders.
He definitely shows more versatility than those who held the role before him. His character has a sharper demeanor and fewer quirks. As Darlene (played by Ginny Holder) bluntly remarked, “he’s rude.” Wilson comes across as more street-smart, but it's likely that his abrasive nature will mellow during his time on Saint Marie. The episode wrapped up with Gilet’s character still intent on going back to London, but, as is typical with the Death in Paradise series, a change of heart is expected.
It remains to be seen if longtime fans will embrace this new, more intense direction, but there was definitely a comforting sense of continuity. The familiar characters, like Darlene, DS Naomi Thomas, and Officer Dwayne Myers, actively participated in the investigation, and there was even a quick appearance by Harry the Lizard.
It wasn't entirely obvious to me how Wilson figured out that both victims were shot simultaneously with the same weapon, but those moments of realization are a key aspect of the story. Plus, the mystery of "who did it" felt somewhat less important in this particular episode. The cast featured guest appearances from Marcus Brigstocke as one of the deceased Santas, along with the ever-reliable Angela Griffin, who seems to have been in almost every popular TV series as his fiancée.
What you could somewhat refer to as a new sense of realism was skillfully woven together with the show's well-loved elements. For instance, Wilson seemed unfazed by the classic, Poirot-style assembly of suspects before the murderer was uncovered. "This is our way of doing things," the commissioner explained to him. Basically, it meant there would be no pointless alterations to the show’s beloved format.
However, if the trend has truly peaked, then "Death in Paradise," which played a significant role in launching this genre back in 2011, has demonstrated its ability to reinvent itself and evolve. Additionally, I believe that casting Don Gilet was a brilliant choice.
You can watch 'Death in Paradise' now on BBC iPlayer.
