The ‘Death in Paradise’ cast have started filming the eighth series.
Ardal O’Hanlon – who is known for playing lead detective DI Jack Mooney in the award-winning crime drama – has returned to sun-soaked island of Guadeloupe to shoot the next instalment alongside Joséphine Jobert (DS Florence Cassell), Tobi Bakare (Officer JP Hooper) and Don Warrington (Commissioner Selwyn Patterson).
The eighth series will see the arrival of a new regular character – Officer Ruby Patterson, played by exciting up-and-coming actor Shyko Amos.
Fresh out of police college, Officer Patterson is more than just an eager new recruit – she’s also Commissioner Patterson’s niece, which presents the team with a challenge or two but it doesn’t take her too long to settle in to the force.
Shyko said: "There is nothing quite like ‘Death in Paradise’ on TV and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet that I’ve joined such a massively popular show.
"It’s given me a butterfly or two but I’m very excited! Officer Ruby Patterson is a bundle of joy! I am very excited for ‘Death in Paradise’ viewers to experience her as the new member of the already amazing law enforcement team of Saint Marie."
However, although there will be a new face gracing Saint Marie, fans will be forced to wave goodbye to Officer Dwayne Myers (Danny John-Jules) after seven years.
Executive Producer, Tim Key, said: "We’re delighted to welcome Shyko to the team. She’s a really exciting young actor who has already made a huge impact on set as Officer Ruby Patterson. We’re very sad to have said goodbye to Danny, whose brilliant performance as Dwayne has helped make the show such a success.
"We wish Danny all the very best and look forward to working with him again. But it’s wonderful to be back in Guadeloupe with our fantastic cast and crew to get stuck in to some more intriguing murder mysteries in the Caribbean sun. We can’t wait for the audience to see what we’ve got in store."
Tommy Bulfin, BBC Executive Producer and Drama Commissioning Editor for Northern Ireland, added: "This is an exciting time for ‘Death in Paradise’ and we are delighted to have such great talent involved in the show.
"We are sad to say goodbye to Danny whose presence and personality has helped contribute towards the success of this long running series, but we are thrilled to have Shyko Amos on board. We can’t wait to see her take the reins as Officer Ruby Patterson and the new dynamic she will bring to the Caribbean police team."
Death in Paradise cast return to Guadeloupe to shoot S8
