Ardal O’Hanlon wants to do ‘Death in Paradise’ for "at least" 20 years.
The 52-year-old actor – who has taken over the lead role as DI Jack Mooney in the detective series – has only just arrived on the sunny island of Guadeloupe – a French overseas region – but is planning on sticking around for another two decades.
He explained when asked how long he’ll stay on the island for: "Twenty years at least! Maybe 30. I don’t know. If I can be commissioner for the last ten years I’ll be happy enough, and let someone else take over the detective role…"
But Ardal has admitted he’s nervous about taking on the lead role because he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to match up to Kris Marshall – who played DI Humphrey Goodman for four years – as he was so well-loved by the viewers.
Ardal told the Radio Times magazine: "For me the real pleasure is just being there and working with great actors, great directors and interpreting scripts and trying to work out the best way of doing it.
"Whatever happens after that terrifies me. Are people going to like it? Are people going to hate my character? Are people going to continue to watch it?
"I’m so aware that it’s a big show and people love it and you don’t want to do anything to let the side down or to let the viewers down.
"But I think the show is bigger than any character. That’s the thing about this show: the island is a character in this show, the scenery is a special part of this show, the ingenious puzzles at the heart of the show are really what make it.
"At least, that’s what I tell myself. It’s not my fault! It’s not down to me!"
Ardal O’Hanlon wants to do Death in Paradise for 20 years
