Published: 0:01 am, 13 February 2023

Beyond Paradise follows DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) and his fiancée Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) after their nail-biting will-they-won’t-they romance reached its emotional finale in 2017. Viewers were delighted when Humphrey took control of his destiny and followed Martha back from Saint Marie to London to declare his undying love for her.

A new adventure awaits as we find them arriving in Shipton Abbott, Martha’s hometown near the beautiful Devonshire coast, having left London. As they embark on their new life, the couple are quickly thrown in at the deep end as Martha sets out to pursue her dream of running her own restaurant and Humphrey joins the local police force. Quickly making an impression on the somewhat eclectic team: DS Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi), PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn) and Margo Martins (Felicity Montagu), Humphrey sets out to help crack a host of baffling cases, with the Shipton Abbott squad witnessing a whole new approach to police work...

Each week the team are faced with a new crime with a unique puzzle at its heart. The not-so-sleepy town of Shipton Abbott will be rocked by an entire family disappearing without a trace; a woman claiming she was attacked by a suspect from the seventeenth century; the robbery of a highly prized painting; a body bizarrely discovered in a crop circle and a serial arsonist with a mysterious penchant for nursery rhymes.

As Humphrey gets stuck into his new job, he and Martha must also navigate life’s ups and downs, as faces from the past, the decisions they make and the challenges of setting up life in a new town put their relationship to the ultimate test.

beyondparadise@premiercomms.com

Meet the cast and characters

DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall)

Endearingly awkward, often clumsy, with a genius ability to solve the most fiendishly difficult crimes, there’s no other detective quite like Humphrey Goodman. His brain works in a different way to everyone else, which means he can spot the one detail that others would miss. He’s generally very upbeat, but due to his strict and rather unemotional upbringing, he struggles with showing vulnerability, often reaching for humour in the face of adversity.

Interview with Kris Marshall

How have you found revisiting DI Humphrey Goodman?       

Really easy, actually. It's like slipping on an old pair of slippers. He’s a comfortable, lovely old friend -it’s just delightful to play him again.

What has life been like for DI Humphrey Goodman after leaving Saint Marie?

He left Saint Marie to join the Metropolitan Police so he could be with his girlfriend, Martha. I think both of them found the pace of life in London and with the Metropolitan Police a bit daunting, a little too chaotic and crazy. I think he prefers a more bucolic lifestyle, rather than the gritty backdrop of policing in London.

Martha always had the dream to open up her own restaurant. So, they made the decision to move back down to where Martha was born and grew up.

Where do we find DI Humphrey Goodman and Martha Lloyd at the start of the series?

We find Humphrey and Martha having just relocated from London down to Devon in the southwest of England and trying to find their way with their new life. Having moved in with his mother-in-law, there are certain challenges.

Wherever he goes, he leaves a sort of mini tidal wave of madness behind him and he's causing that tidal wave to ripple through the village of Shipton Abbott.

How do you find filming on location in Devon and Cornwall?

I'm a Somerset boy by birth and I grew up there as well. Somerset is the next county along from Devon and Cornwall, so it's all part of the West Country and in my opinion it's the most beautiful part of the UK. It has everything; cider, cheese, countryside, amazing coastline. Probably my favourite spot in the area is in Cornwall, and it's a Cove called Kynance Cove. It's like a smuggler's paradise down there. The sand is white and there’s crystal clear blue sea. If it wasn’t so cold, you would think you were in the Caribbean.

What sort of crimes and cases is DI Humphrey Goodman up against?

Whereas in Death in Paradise it was always about the death in paradise, in Beyond Paradise, we don’t have so many deaths. We have more kidnapping, sheep rustling, art thefts, ghostly apparitions… It's great because it's revisiting a lot of the same feelings and processes, and the structure of the show is very similar, but it's a completely different show, so it's fresh. It’s brilliant!

Is there anyone DI Humphrey Goodman misses from his time in Saint Marie?

Well, he does miss Harry the lizard, of course. But maybe there's a new Harry the lizard in Beyond Paradise… who's not called Harry, and isn't a lizard!

What is the global appeal of this series?

In my experience of doing Death in Paradise, when people have come up to me and said how much they enjoy the show - all over the world - they've often said how much it's made them bond with members of their own family. Mothers and fathers have said it's helped them bond with their teenage kids, parents have said they can bond with their parents and grandparents. It's a family show that you can sit down and watch with everyone. Despite the subject matter, it’s kind of feel good.

With there being many gritty and brilliant cop dramas out there, I think in our kind of shows sail down a different path and make it more fun and more tongue-in-cheek. We don't take ourselves too seriously.

Why will existing fans of Death in Paradise love Beyond Paradise?

Beyond Paradise has the same sort of structure as Death in Paradise, but we're also a completely new show. There’s some of the favourite characters from Death in Paradise, but with a whole new spin on it. It's still paradise, it's just a different kind of paradise.

How will the series appeal to new audiences?

It's a really unique show. I don't think it's a show that's been done before in terms of the way we shoot. Without giving too much away, the way we shoot the denouements and how we solve the crime is completely unique. There are a lot of laughs and there is lot of fun in the show, but I think it's also very thought provoking. We're maintaining that sunny disposition.

Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton)

Smart, down-to-earth and funny, Martha is the Yin to Humphrey’s Yang. Growing up as an only child, Martha looked up to her hard-working father. This gave her the drive to make her own way in the world which is why she’s got so much riding on her new café. At times, she has to pinch herself – she’s finally realising her dream. Martha is her own harshest critic however, so needs to be kinder to herself.

Interview with Sally Bretton

How did you find re-visiting Martha Lloyd after five years?

It was wonderful to come back to this character after five years. I really like Martha, she's very warm and driven, but she overthinks things, so she's interesting to play.

How has life been for Martha Lloyd since leaving Saint Marie and what has it been like for her to go back to her hometown?

Since Martha and Humphrey left Saint Marie - obviously we had that lovely romantic reunion - but she went back to run a restaurant in central London, which would have been quite a step up for her at the time. That would have been intense and then Humphrey joined the Metropolitan Police. I imagine that was very frantic and fast-paced, but also very exciting because they got engaged and they're together - they love each other very much.

When Martha loses her dad, it's a moment of reflection, a chance to pause and to reassess what she wants and how she wants her life to be. That's why they decide to move away from London and go for a slower pace of life and follow a dream.

Where does the story pick up in Beyond Paradise?

Martha and Humphrey are in the spare room at Martha’s mum's house - they don't have anywhere to live. Humphrey hasn't started work at the local police station yet and Martha doesn’t have premises for this restaurant dream of hers. They've landed and all these things need to happen; where will they live? Will they have the finances? You're right at the beginning of the journey with them.

Tell us about Martha’s restaurant and what it means to her and Humphrey Goodman…

The café is so beautiful! It's been a long-held dream for Martha to run her own place. Her dad was a very driven man, he was hardworking. He was roots and wings for Martha and was always encouraging her to chase her dreams and make them happen.

When he goes, she honours that love by taking that leap of faith and going for it, of course, with Humphrey’s backing. They want to spend more time together and not work long hours – in a restaurant or with the Met - and slow things down, realise this dream together, but still have more time to settle together as well.

It's a bit of a struggle for Martha to get the restaurant off the ground. It’s a bit touch-and-go for a while whether she'll manage it, but an old friend steps in and invests in the restaurant and becomes part of the team. The café is called the Ten Mile Kitchen because all the ingredients that they use within the kitchen will be sourced within ten miles of Shipton Abbott, including their wine! The chap who owns the vineyard is someone from Martha's past, Archie, and he comes in and helps her, becoming a partner in the restaurant. That's interesting, him coming back into her life, and what he brings by doing that.

What is Martha’s relationship like with her mum, Anne Lloyd?

Martha's mum, Anne, can get quite involved in Martha's life, so she's very guarded about what she shares. She does end up always telling her everything, but she starts off trying to keep her slightly at arm's length as she is very interested and has strong opinions about what Martha should do. Martha's always trying to keep a few boundaries in place, which her mum usually just walks straight through!

Do you have a favourite scene from the series?

A scene I really like is when Humphrey and Archie first meet. That's full of awkward moments, which is fun to play!

How will Beyond Paradise appeal internationally?

Beyond Paradise will appeal internationally because it has a bit of everything. It has the quintessential, beautiful British countryside and that slice of the West Country way. You've got the crime, you've got the love, the relationships. It’s funny in places, it's warm. I think that people will enjoy the escapism that we know from Death in Paradise, but we have our own paradise here.

What can Death in Paradise fans expect from Beyond Paradise?

It’s got the same tone, it’s got that lightness of touch, you've got the crime and the fun elements too. Humphrey was a very popular detective and people care about him. I got asked a lot about what happened and whether they lived happily ever after.

It's lovely to watch, how their holiday romance has deepened into a relationship which is now more grown up and real. Hopefully people will enjoy coming on that journey with them. You don't need to have seen Death in Paradise to enjoy Beyond Paradise because we're starting with a new beginning for these characters. Death in Paradise is all about the crime with the relationship being more peripheral. Whereas Beyond Paradise follows their relationship and how they navigate life's ups and downs, as well as the crime happening.

Detective Sergeant Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi)

After falling pregnant at 17, Esther secretly felt like a failure, but her life changed when she took a chance and applied for a job as a Police Constable. Ultra-smart, with a tenacious drive to help the town she grew up in, Esther rose through the ranks quickly. Her encyclopaedic knowledge of the local community and tireless professionalism complement Humphrey's more unconventional working methods.

Interview with Zahra Ahmadi

Can you introduce yourself, your role and give some background on your character?

I’m playing DS Esther Williams; a single parent who had her child at 17. It wasn’t a planned pregnancy, but she and her daughter are like best friends and Esther always makes sure she has done right by her - working and taking care of her at the same time. She found the police force later in life; it took her a few jobs to get to this point, but she loves it. It’s her passion, she’s really good at what she does and has finally found her place now.

What attracted you to this role and what can we expect from the series?

Primarily it was about where the character was from as I am from the Southwest. I’ve never had the opportunity in my professional career to play a character from the West Country, so initially, that was the draw for me. I know it sounds really clichéd, but Esther is a strong, independent woman and I really respected that about her.

What can audiences expect from this series?

To be enthralled and hooked on the cases we solve this series. The audience are invited along to try and work out the case with us, at the same time as being massively entertained by the great scripts. As well as the core cast, the guest artists have got strong backgrounds in comedy, so there are some hilarious moments. We had a brilliant time filming, with probably quite a few outtakes as well!

Esther seems a bit wary at first of DI Humphrey Goodman’s police antics, how does their relationship evolve as the series progresses?

The first time Esther meets Humphrey - because of the circumstances - she’s in complete disbelief and cannot comprehend that he is her new boss. She’s questioning if this guy is really from the Met! He defies all stereotypes that you would associate with a high achieving police officer. He appears like a bit of a bumbling idiot, but, as the series progresses, her opinion changes of him and she realises that he is a brilliant detective. He thinks in ways that Esther doesn't and that's why their relationship really works. They are the yin to each other’s yang.

What is DS Esther Williams’ relationship like with the rest of the team?

Slightly dysfunctional, but really great. With PC Kelby Hartford, she takes him under her wing slightly. He's very young, earnest and he really loves his job. He's not hugely street smart, so Esther guides him along - he's almost like a little brother to her. Then we have office support, Margo Martins - the mother hen of the office who doesn't suffer fools gladly. You have to be on top form to be in Margo's good books.

You’re local to the area of Devon & Cornwall. How has it been working locally? Any favourite spots?

I live here, so for me, the real pleasure has been working from home, which is something that is very rare when shooting. I’m always in a hotel or an apartment, so it's such a privilege to wake up in my own bed. This job has been such a dream for me and I'm proud to be from the West Country. I love the fact that the cast and crew are asking me for tips on where they should visit or where’s good to eat and drink.

Do you have a favourite scene or scenes from the series?

I enjoyed it at all! It’s such an honour to work with Kris, Felicity and Dylan - they are so talented. They give so much to their roles and the energy in the room when the four of us are together is best bar none. One of my favourite scenes is one Kris and I did together in episode six. It's quite an emotional scene for various reasons- and it was really nice to do because it was exploring more of the human side of Esther and Humphrey, as opposed to the professional police side.

How does DS Esther Williams’ courageous backstory contribute to her work ethic? How did this inform how you portrayed your character?

Esther's background contributes to her work ethic. The relationship between the two lends itself naturally into police work because you have a certain level of responsibility for the community. Also being a young single mother meant she always had work and could provide for her daughter, not only financially, but also emotionally.

Esther has the right priorities as well, which you can see in her police work. She's got a human touch. As seriously as she takes the job, she's also able to understand that people are human beings. The team work in a small police station in a tight-knit community, so they know a lot of the people they are dealing with personally. Esther takes her role even more seriously because of that personal connection.

Can you describe DS Esther Williams in three words?

She is honest, loyal and fun. She’s actually very fun, which I don’t think you would get upon meeting her straight away. She certainly knows how to let her hair down and has a good sense of humour.

What can audiences expect from Beyond Paradise?

They can expect to laugh, to be moved and be hooked right from the beginning. The webs that are weaved in each episode are really intricate, and there were many episodes where I had no idea who it was until it was revealed. It really is a mystery tour every episode!

Police Constable Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn)

If you’ve never met him before, your first impression of Kelby would be that he’s uncomplicated, a bit slow maybe. You’d be half right. His naivety stems from being raised by a doting mother who tended to his every need, but despite this, he is not stupid. Hardworking and dedicated, Kelby sees his job in the police as the closest thing to a real-life superhero. He’s keen to impress the new Detective Inspector whenever he can.

Interview with Dylan Llewellyn

Can you introduce yourself, your role and give some background on your character?

I play PC Kelby Hartford - a local lad who grew up in Shipton Abbott, a close-knit community where everybody knows everyone. Which means a lot of criminals they catch, he knows!

He’s a good lad with good drive and wants to get the job done. When it comes to his police work, he’s determined but can sometimes be naïve. He’s got golden retriever energy. Kelby is a people pleaser, but at times can be quite slow. He is an endearing, kind-hearted ‘Jack the lad’, which I think makes him a very good police officer.

What attracted you to this role?

A number of things. It looked like such a great project, a spin off to Death in Paradise immediately sounded amazing, and it’s got a great script and cast. The character seemed different to my previous work as I’m used to playing a teen!

What was your character's first impression of DI Humphrey Goodman?

It was a mixture of confusion but at the same time thinking, ‘this guy is kind of cool!’. Kelby looks up to Humphrey, he is really impressed and in awe of his work. He always wants to do better and improve, so enjoys learning from Humphrey and sees him as almost a father figure.

What can we expect from the series?

Lots of stuff goes down! A couple of chase scenes, especially by me. I have really enjoyed the physical elements of the role; I’ve finally had the chance to do some action scenes as I have never done these before.

What is PC Kelby Hartford’s relationship like with the rest of the team?

Everyone sees him as a little brother, so I think they all look after him. Margo and Esther are very close to Kelby, I can imagine they know his family well too! You can see their close-knit friendships play out on screen. Kelby and Margo have a bit of back and forth, butting heads at times, but there is still a lot of love there.

How have you found filming on location in Devon & Cornwall?

Shooting around the West Country was amazing. It is a lovely, beautiful place to be with the countryside and the beaches. Shooting towards the end of summer meant we were able to enjoy some great weather, too. At times it was difficult to shoot inside the set of the police station as it got really hot! But I loved having my own desk there. We shot a lot in Looe, which I would say was my favourite location.

How is this role different from others you’ve had? Is tackling crime more or less difficult than taking part in High School escapades?

Playing PC Kelby Hartford has been a real shift from my previous characters. Finally, I’m playing an adult! It’s been fun and different in comparison to playing an awkward teen or a university student. He is a working man, a police officer, with a lot of confidence and drive, who doesn’t take any nonsense. There are similarities with my past roles in that he has a good heart - I love playing characters like that. I cannot wait for the audience to meet him.

Do you have a favourite scene or scenes from the series that you could share with us?

I really enjoyed the chase scenes, trying to catch a criminal - especially as I got the chance to jump on a boat! There is also a slapstick scene with Kelby choking on an éclair, which was fun!

What do you think the international appeal of the series is?

Audiences will really enjoy Beyond Paradise because of the similarities and differences between this, and Death in Paradise. The series will be easy to watch with great plot lines and actors.

Office Support Margo Martins (Felicity Montagu)

Margo Martins is a tough cookie, but her sharp tongue hides genuine vulnerability and a life of tragedy: she's buried three husbands, two dogs and eleven cats, and rarely sees her grown-up children. Despite threatening to retire on a yearly basis, Margo secretly relishes her job supporting the team; as Esther comments, she practically runs the place. Margo doesn't immediately warm to the new Detective Inspector...but, to be fair, she doesn't immediately warm to anyone.

Interview with Felicity Montagu

What attracted you to the role of Margo Martins?

When I first read the script, she made me laugh - she is beautifully written. The rhythm is beautifully brought together, and I immediately thought I could really play her with relish. So, I really went for it, which means there was lots and lots of hard work!

How would you describe Margo?

I would describe Margo as a complete free spirit.

What was Margo’s first impression of DI Humphrey Goodman?

Margo’s first impression of Humphrey, if I'm going to go by the script is… bafflement. She's been at this police station a long time. She knows how it runs and he just doesn't stick to the book. Although, she doesn’t stick to the book either. I think eventually, maybe, she starts to appreciate him more.

What can audiences expect from Beyond Paradise?

What I would love for the audience to expect from the series is escapism, humour, heartbreak. A nice roller coaster of getting away from it. Getting home after a long day, hearing the news and saying, ‘this is really enjoyable’. We’ve got a star of immeasurable talent in Kris Marshall, who is just so delightful to watch, and I'm watching all the other actors in this, and they're just delightful to watch, too.

What’s Margo’s relationship like with the rest of the team?

On the surface, she's very tough on everyone and she doesn't really want to give much away about herself. Underneath it all, I think she lives for them. She has a very interesting life and nobody quite knows what Margo gets up to but she's very fond of them all in her own way. I think she would probably go to the ends of the earth for them. It's quite heart rending because she hasn't got a massive family homelife, this is her job and she's very, very proud to be there. Although she does have a great social life. I don’t think she would show the team, but she's very loyal to them. She's a very loyal animal.

How have you found filming on location in Devon & Cornwall?

I have lots of different favourite spots in Devon and Cornwall because I’ve filmed a lot down in this area. I've done quite a lot of walking and the landscapes are so beautiful. I’ve been getting to know the drivers who live in the area and they're very proud of it. It's been quite inspiring.

Do you have a favourite scene that you’ve filmed?

I love it when I'm in a spat with Kris Marshall’s character Humphrey. I find them just delicious. His expressions are so bewitching. I love working with Zahra (Ahmadi – DS Esther Williams) and Dylan (Llewellyn – PC Kelby Hartford) in the police station too. I love it when things go wrong and then we have to sort it out, and the day-to-day office life where people get very fed up. I'm really enjoying working with the team, I think they're all incredible.

Why will fans of Death in Paradise love the show?

Fans of Death in Paradise would love Beyond Paradise because it is beyond paradise. It's not abroad in the Caribbean, but it's in Devon and Cornwall - the most beautiful part of England. You've got mystery, you've got heartbreak, you've got humour. When you've had all day commuting and we're getting bad news all the time, this is - and I hate the word in a way - but ‘feel-good’. There is a place for it and I'm very proud to be part of it.

This is a really ace team. The Red Planet Pictures team are hot - I was absolutely crazy excited to know I'd be working with this team. They know how to bewitch an audience and give them an hour's paradise, if you like, when they get home from work.

Anne Lloyd (Barbara Flynn)

From a generation where the men were the breadwinners and a woman’s role was very much running the home and family, Martha’s mother Anne has always been a force to be reckoned with. Devastated by her husband’s recent death, Anne has embraced life in the community in order to fill the void. Delighted that Martha has moved back home – even if Humphrey frequently baffles her - her future is starting to look a little brighter...

Interview with Anne Lloyd

What can you tell us about Anne Lloyd?

Anne Lloyd is the mother of Martha, who, as we know, has been elsewhere: abroad and away from her hometown. Anne’s husband – and Martha’s father - has died and Martha comes down to Shipton Abbott to keep an eye on her mother and be with her. With Martha comes Humphrey Goodman, and Humphrey, of course, slips seamlessly into a Detective Inspector job and solves a myriad of problems that occur in the area.

What attracted you to this role?

It's very lovingly approached and I really responded to that. I was thrilled to be asked to play Anne. It was a no-brainer, really. The scripts are great fun and there are adorable, lovely locations. You could see that it was going to be highly entertaining, highly relaxing and also intriguing for an audience. So, I thought, yep! That's for me.

How would you describe Anne Lloyd?

Anne is a little bit at sea at the moment. in her life down in Shipton Abbott with her husband and Mottie (Martha) growing up – she would have been an easy woman who is very supportive to her husband and her daughter, knowing that the relationship ups and downs in families grow and change. At that time, she was probably joining a lot of groups and knowing most people in the area because it’s quite a close-knit community. Her husband dies and that changes a bit, but she still continues and tries to find the old life.

She's quite a jolly person. She's not overly accommodating. She has a relationship with her daughter that is very interesting, special and real. It's beautifully drawn by the writing and has a reality to it that I've enjoyed.

What is Anne’s relationship like with Humphrey Goodman?

Anne’s relationship with Humphrey is not as plain sailing as, ‘Oh, my goodness me, this man is in love with my daughter, I'm going to open my gate’. She finds him rather bewildering and astonishingly… tall! In a way, in this first series, the relationship between the mother-in-law - if indeed they do marry and stay together - is not totally decided. It’s a discovery, it's nice and really enjoyable.

What can audiences expect from Beyond Paradise?

Audiences can expect a stunning new series, highly accented by the series that it springs from which we all know and love over in Guadeloupe, Death in Paradise. Audiences will be taken to the glorified, lovely English countryside. They will notice the similarities between the shows and pick up on the familiar details from the mother ship. So, viewers can expect exactly the same, but in a completely different way. It will be a delight and it'll appeal to all ages because it very cleverly involves so many different characters;charismatic, funny, irritating and brilliant. It's a kaleidoscope of colour and it's beautifully presented by an incredibly talented production company and crew - the talent of the costumes and the makeup and everything else is of such a high quality. And the acting, of course. It's been a delight and it will be a favourite for everyone.

Do you have a favourite scene?

I have a lovely quantity - and I would wish for many, many more lovely quantities - of scenes with Sally Bretton, who plays Martha, Anne’s daughter. I have had some glorious scenes on the beach. Can you imagine? Coming to work on a beach in Devon, Cornwall? Astonishing!

Why will existing fans of Death in Paradise love the show?

Kris and Sally will bring them there for a start because they will have seen every episode that's been made - people absolutely adore it. Millions and millions and millions of people are completely glued. But there will also be the fresh approach that Beyond Paradise has.

I think out of loyalty there may be preferences one way or another, but it’s a natural progression, which is so interesting and we’re glorifying our own country, which is terrific.

Interview with Tony Jordan - Writer and Executive Producer

Why did you want to create Beyond Paradise?

Everyone knows about Death in Paradise; it’s been around for a long time now and brings a lot of joy to a lot of people. There aren’t many shows around like that; everything’s a bit gritty, dark and depressing. There are not many shows that make you feel good by the time you get to the end of them. Death in Paradise does that, so we thought why don’t we do it again and find a way of expanding that universe? That was the first kernel of thought for Beyond Paradise.

Why did you want to revisit DI Humphrey Goodman’s story?

Humphrey is one of the most popular detectives we’ve had on the show, people loved him. There’s something about what Kris Marshall brings to the role. He’s got a warmth and a presence on-screen. He left with the love of his life, Martha, to go back to the UK. The question was always hanging in the air: whatever happened to Humphrey and Martha?

What is it about Humphrey that really resonates with audiences around the world?

It’s a lot to do with Kris, he’s an amazing actor. Those great actors have something: whatever the story is, you want to be sat in the room with them. If they’re on screen in a bar, you want to be in that bar and if they’re in conversation, you want to be a part of that conversation, too. You’re drawn to them, and Kris has that in abundance. Humphrey has this unerring zest for life, people are drawn to that positive energy. Humphrey was always a special character, so why not go back and see what he’s up to?

Tell me a bit about what Sally brings to the role of Martha…

Sally Bretton as Martha has been a revelation. The character of Martha was set up, but there wasn’t any deep characterisation in Death in Paradise - she was there as Humphrey’s ex-girlfriend. They had some amazing scenes, then he decided that they should be together, and they left the island. To dig deeper into that and to watch the work that Sally has done in bringing Martha to life and make her a multidimensional character has been amazing. This is a real partnership with all the ups and downs of any kind of relationship and that serial element within the show is as important as the crime stories that we do, that journey that we take those two characters on is an integral part of the show.

Where do we find Humphrey and Martha at the beginning of the series and what is the journey that they go on?

We talk about what Humphrey and Martha have been doing since the end of Death in Paradise. They went to London, Humphrey worked for the Met, Martha worked in a restaurant and then they got hit with the pandemic. As we came out of the pandemic, nothing was the same again and life wasn’t what they expected it to be. While they were deciding if they wanted to be in London, Martha discovered that her father had died suddenly in Devon, and her mother was now alone.

What we discover is that they’re back, that this is where Martha was born and where she grew up, they’re staying with her mother when they first move to Shipton Abbott. Humphrey has left the Met and has taken up a position in the Devon police.

Could you tell us about the new characters and Humphrey’s new police team?

The team that surrounds Humphrey are very important. The main element in Beyond Paradise which ties it to Death in Paradise at the very heart of it is the puzzle, and how Humphrey has to try and unlock that puzzle. So, we had to put the right kind of team around him to help.

Because Humphrey is so chaotic, instinctive and wild in a way, you feel like you want to put quite a harsh partner with him. Someone who’s going to be quite tough, by the book and unyielding to try and create some conflict. But we didn’t really want to do that. We wanted a real partner, but one that we could love independently of Humphrey and we would warm to, but will still give us that friction. We created this character called DS Esther Williams, and Zahra Ahmadi who plays her is amazing. She’s done such a brilliant job - a job I wasn’t sure anyone could do if I’m honest, which is walk the tightrope between being a foil and a source of conflict for Humphrey. To bring out the best in him, but also to create a character who’s warm and has a heart that the audience will love in her own right. Zahra walks that tightrope perfectly.

Then we have Margo Martins, played by the amazing Felicity Montagu who is civilian support, but she basically runs the place. She knows where all the bodies are buried, she knows what everyone does. If you want anything you need to ask Margo first. She runs that place with a rod of iron and she’s very suspicious of Humphrey when he first arrives. She’s incredibly quirky, you never know what she’s going to look like episode by episode; her clothes change, her hair changes, her makeup changes, and everything about her is a surprise. Every now and again she’ll drop something into conversation about something she’s done in the past and it’s like, “what? Did I hear that right?!” Margo is a constant source of mystery, she’s amazing.

Then we’ve got young cop PC Kelby Hartford. We wanted someone who is funny and Dylan Llewellyn who plays him is certainly that. But we didn’t want the stupid or dumb kind of funny, we wanted a naivety of youth. He doesn’t quite understand yet the professional policing that we get from Esther and certainly doesn’t understand - because no one does - the chaotic nature of Margo. He sits there in the middle somewhere and is the one that asks the questions, sometimes on behalf of the audience. Suddenly you put those four together in that small room in the old police station and suddenly, it feels quite magical, almost like policing of a time gone by. I think that’s really cool.

What can we expect from this new series?

Two things: one hundred per cent it will make you laugh, and I also hope it will make you cry, because the serial story between Humphrey and Martha is touching. Every episode will give you a puzzle and you can join in and try and work it out. Beyond Paradise is about merging the weekly crime narrative with Martha and Humphrey’s story.

What makes Beyond Paradise distinctive?

The brief we had was for a show exactly like Death in Paradise, but at the same time completely different, and I think that’s what we have ended up with! The things that link them together is they are both joyful, it’s a treat every week. Both shows give you a puzzle and those great moments where people are sitting on the sofa together solving the mysteries.

There are a lot of differences in the balance between the personal stories of our characters and the crime stories. In Death in Paradise, the majority of the story content is about the case, we don’t really go into much personal detail. In Beyond Paradise its completely different. Humphrey and Martha’s relationship is a drama in its own right, we follow their journey throughout the duration of the six episodes. The crime story then fits in with that, but there is a huge personal story within the show.

At the end of the crime story in Death in Paradise, the detective gathers all the suspects together and explains what happened and who the guilty party is in an Agatha Christie fashion. We knew we couldn’t do the same thing on Beyond Paradise. We had to find something as distinct, but different. We came up with the idea of Humphrey cracking the case and while explaining to the team and the audience, we lift him up from the station and take him back in time, replaying the crime exactly as it happened but this time with Humphrey in the scene as it’s taking place.

Can you take us through the writing process for this series?

Setting up a new show is always tough as you’re starting from ground zero. It doesn’t matter that it’s a spin off as we’re not in the Caribbean and it’s not the same detective. You start with a blank sheet of paper and must question “what is this show and what makes it different?” The first big thing we had to decide was whether we were doing murders again. We decided it wouldn’t be solely murders, and I think that was a really important choice to make which already differentiates it from the mothership. To get the pilot episode right, we had to think of a crime and then introduce all the characters, the world that they exist within and their dynamics.

Why did you choose to set the series in the West Country?

The Caribbean is a tough act to follow! There are lots of beautiful places in the UK, and it was a tough choice. I remember growing up as a kid and my family holidays were in Devon, staying in caravans in Westwood Ho. I love Cornwall and the West Country and lived in Bristol for a while, so it’s very familiar to me. It is paradise in its own way, so was a perfect fit and gave me everything the show needed. It’s not set on the sea front, but the sea is there. What is amazing about the west country with the small towns and villages is the genuine community feel.

Interview with Tim Key - Executive Producer

Can you introduce yourself and your role?

I’m the Executive Producer of Beyond Paradise and have been on board since the very start. I also look after Death in Paradise, so I work closely with Tony Jordan on developing, making, editing, and delivering both shows.

What can you tell us about the series?

Beyond Paradise has its own unique premise, hewn from Death in Paradise. We spent a long time discussing Death in Paradise to ensure this show shared the same spirit and joy, but it’s also very much its own show. It’s got a puzzle in every episode, with warm, funny characters, a great score, and a bucolic setting, similar to the mothership. Beyond Paradise offers more time with the characters and their lives, making it a real treat to watch.

Why did you want to expand the Death in Paradise universe?

We had been talking for a long time about spinning off the show. It’s been running for twelve years and it always felt like there was a way of playing that spirit into other programmes. The answer to it came in the form of Kris Marshall’s character DI Humphrey Goodman. When Kris left Death in Paradise, we knew we wanted to do more with him. When Sally Bretton joined the show as his love interest Martha Lloyd, we could just see the amazing chemistry they had together. They have continued to professionally bump into each other over the years and have coincidentally worked together between Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise. There’s some serendipity in the world that kept leading them to work together and we just knew we could do something special with them both.

Where do we find these characters at the beginning of the series?

We last saw Humphrey and Martha together in 2017 when they left Saint Marie, returning to London. We find them now a few years on having gotten a little tired of life in the city, where things haven’t worked out quite as they hoped, and they miss the peace and beauty of Saint Marie. On top of that, Martha’s father died recently, so she wanted to support her mother Anne by moving back to her hometown of Shipton Abbott in Devon. The town is beautiful, situated near the coast, full of character. They are living with Martha’s mother, which is testing at times due to her house being quite small, and Humphrey being tall and clumsy!

In episode one, Humphrey’s about to start his new job in the local police force and Martha has a dream of running her own business, a restaurant. She is looking for premises and Humphrey’s looking forward to getting stuck in and seeing what life has in store for them both after Saint Marie.

What inspiration did you take from Death in Paradise?

We spent a long time analysing the spirit of Death in Paradise, making sure that we had that essence in this show. There is a lot going on in Death in Paradise - there is the location and the literal warmth of the show, but also the joy and the relationships between the characters. The music is a huge part of the success of the show, which immediately takes you to a specific place. I have become obsessed with bringing a music identity to Beyond Paradise. We are lucky to be working with Magnus Fiennes after working with him on Death in Paradise. We have worked hard to bring a modern, folk influence to the show, making a unique sound which I am really excited about. And getting Bellowhead on board was amazing.

There are links in terms of the tone, but it is also its own thing, as we cannot, nor would we want to, rip off Death in Paradise. I think people who haven’t seen Death in Paradise will enjoy it and take to it the same way as the people who have religiously watched the show from the start.

What is it about Humphrey that resonates so well with the audience?

Humphrey is a glorious, clumsy, genius mess. Kris is so talented and unique. He’s a great physical comedian but is also hugely empathetic. You have no trouble believing Humphrey is very clever, his physicality makes him clumsy and he’s incredibly over enthusiastic about everything and flings himself into new opportunities. Kris is quite similar; he is full of energy and gets really excited about things. Humphrey is also quite vulnerable, you just know he has been looking for the person to complete him, and he found that person in Martha. I really do see them as two sides of the same coin, they are a tight unit.

Why was it important to continue Humphrey and Martha’s story?

The personal relationship between the two is key to the series. It’s the thing that really takes us into new territory. We wanted to tell a truthful story about a couple finding their way, after the high point of their romantic union in Death in Paradise where they sailed off into the sunset. Our question was, what happened next? We explore this in all sorts of different ways, particularly through their journey wanting to start a family and become parents. We wanted to tell an honest story of how hard this is, and what the definition of family means. They bring such truth and heart and warmth to that story that we knew we could do something surprising which people wouldn’t expect from the show, alongside what people absolutely do expect, such as the puzzles and warm-hearted fun. Their life journey is very truthful and very relatable, and the show is a glorious mix of emotions.

This series offers more of an insight into their relationship, covering real-life issues. Why was this important?

The relatability of their story was vital. We wanted to flesh out all of our characters and the town itself as a real, living, breathing place with real people and Humphrey and Martha. When it comes to Anne, she’s not just the tricky mother-in-law, she’s the woman who has recently lost her husband, trying to work out who she is now out there on her own. All these things allow us to take the story into truthful but surprising places.

Could you talk us through what the setting brings to the show?

Being a Death in Paradise show we knew it had to be set somewhere beautiful and, in the UK, we are spoilt for choice. There were lots of conversations about where we take it but we settled quite quickly on the West Country as we felt that Devon hadn’t had a huge amount of exposure in TV drama, Cornwall often nabs the glory. We travelled around lots of different places and were on the hunt to find somewhere that felt like a real town over a seaside resort. When we went to Looe, which is actually in Cornwall, it was a beautiful tourist town, but also a thriving community with fishing businesses, so we felt we had found our home. The fictional town is set slightly back from the coast, so we have all sorts of story worlds to dive into, including the folklore of the town, which is touched upon in episode one. The series looks beautiful, and we were lucky with the weather as well!

What makes Beyond Paradise distinctive?

Its spirit. I think unlike most detective shows, it’s warm, joyful and should be an absolute pleasure to watch, but it’s surprisingly moving and truthful at the same time. There are very few shows that blend these elements together. We want our audiences to sit down as a family and feel like they have spent an hour whisked away to somewhere else which has moved and amused them.

Could you introduce us to the new characters?

At the police station, we knew we needed an eclectic mix of characters who complement and challenge Humphrey. He mainly spends his time with DS Esther Williams played by Zahra Ahmadi. Zahra is amazing, we are so lucky to have her. In Esther, we have created a very rounded, realistic young professional woman who also has a daughter she is raising on her own. She’s balancing some tricky challenges, but Zahra brings huge warmth to it, walking the difficult line of finding Humphrey hugely frustrating and challenging while remaining likeable herself. Esther is very protective of her team, no one more so than PC Kelby Hartford who she works alongside, played by Dylan Llewellyn. He is a revelation and is naturally hilarious, but he brings more than just the comedy. There is a vulnerability to him and a naivety in the way he plays the character. Then you have Margo Martins played by Felicity Montagu, who is an unusual character. We wanted her to be a complete contradiction in every sense, so you can never quite work out who she is. She is gloriously eclectic and unpredictable, never wearing the same costume twice and her hair is different in every episode. She really enjoys winding Humphrey up, but you know she would do anything for the team. Felicity is comedy royalty; she is a great actress. The minute she came onboard the team completely fell into place.

What sets Beyond Paradise apart from other crime dramas?

We are very proudly part of one of the oldest genres there is. Some of our inspiration for Beyond Paradise was the Agatha Christie short stories and we span off from there. I think people are fascinated by crime and love playing along, trying to work out who did it. The biggest misconception with Death in Paradise is that it’s a ‘whodunnit’. It’s a ‘howdunnit’. Once you work out the how, you then get the who. To be part of that genre is joyous but also a huge challenge to do something fresh and surprising with it. Trying to be traditional and modern at the exact same time is a tricky road to walk, but I think we have managed it with this.

Programme Information

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