I’m glad Ralf Little has left Death in Paradise
DI Neville Parker Bids Farewell To Saint Marie
On March 25th, 2024 at 2:59 pm, with an update at 3:13 pm, the following blog post was published.
Goodbye to you, DI Neville Parker. The latest episode of Death in Paradise showcased the end of Ralf Little's five-year run as the lead detective in the famous cosy-crime show on BBC One. Little's character flew off into the sunset with his romantic interest, DS Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert), in a classic romcom style. The conclusion of the 13th series left fans emotionally devastated, with many reportedly sobbing and in pieces.
Little has been playing the role of the sole British policeman in the made-up place called Saint-Marie for the longest duration among the four actors who have portrayed the character. His representation as a copper with allergies from Manchester took over the character of DI Jack Mooney played by Ardal O'Hanlon in 2020. Prior to him, Ben Miller and Kris Marshall have enacted the part.
Viewers were delighted by the way Neville dealt with his anxieties about various things on the island like mosquitoes, the sun, and the sand. Over time, he found a meaningful reason to live on the island. His unique habits, such as his tendency to record his discoveries on a cassette tape, was especially charming to fans. Additionally, it helped those who needed a reminder of what happened in the plot.
Neville's love life was starting to get dull and depressing. He first tried to pursue Florence, but she rejected him. Later, his relationship with Chelsea, whom he met in series 12, turned out to be a disaster when she falsely accused him of a crime. Recently, Zoe, an ex-girlfriend, came back to Saint Marie hoping to reignite their romance, but it didn't work out. Luckily, Florence changed her mind and things started looking up for Neville.
Love stories often conclude with a first kiss because the excitement of whether or not the characters will get together is over. If Neville and Florence spent all their time kissing while solving crimes, the story would not have been as successful.
It is the best decision for Little to leave the show and it is likely for his own good as well. It may seem ridiculous to switch from filming in a beautiful location like Guadelupe to starting work at 4am in a car park in Dagenham, as Marshall stated when he left the show. However, the distance between locations can have a negative impact on an actor's personal relationships. Marshall wanted to spend more quality time with his family; Miller also left the show because of personal reasons, as he had found out that he was going to become a father.
O'Hanlon suggested that the high temperatures played a role in his decision to not go back to Guadeloupe. He stated that it was time to look into other options, preferably closer to the Arctic Circle. Even though the island looks beautiful, filming in this tropical paradise is not a vacation. Executive producer Tim Key affirmed that it involves early starts at 5:30 am, working on weekends, and no consideration for the scorching 40-degree heat.
Who will take over for Ralf Little in the upcoming Christmas special and 14th season of the show? It looks like Simon Bird is the top contender, according to bookies. Bird, who is 39, is well-known for his roles in shows like Inbetweeners and Friday Night Dinner. Death in Paradise has a history of hiring comedic actors for lead roles, and Saint Marie's British detective is typically portrayed as a clumsy and comedic character. It seems like Bird could be a perfect fit for the role.
Diane Morgan (known for her appearances in Motherland and as the fictional character Philomena Cunk) and Matthew Horne (famous for his role in the TV series Gavin and Stacey) have both been linked to the lead role in Death in Paradise. However, the show's success means that it's not essential who takes on the lead role. Despite the departure of four main characters, the show continues to flourish, proving that they are not the true stars of Death in Paradise. Rather, it's the stunning tropical island backdrop that adds a burst of vibrancy to those dark and sad Sunday evenings following the Christmas holidays, as well as the crew of local police officers who are certainly the show's main selling point.
To be honest, I would be more upset if Don Warrington left the show. He has been portraying Commissioner Selwyn Patterson since the beginning in 2011. I wouldn't be as sad if any of the main characters left. I hope Don Warrington continues to play this fantastic character and intimidate the next British detective who comes to Saint Marie.
