Death in Paradise (2011– ) User Reviews

Brilliant!

[milyrouge · 8/10 · 16 November 2011]

British TV viewers have been spoiled with great detective shows over the past decades. Bergerac, Inspector Morse and Frost have trained us to expect quirky, interesting shows with characters who become part of British culture. It's early days yet, but I think that 'Death in Paradise' has the chance to join them.

Backed by Danny John-Jules, Sara Martins and Gary Carr, Ben Miller brings the quintessentially quirky detective to life in this brilliant show. A fish out of water, DI Richard Poole must handle the transition from safe, temperate London to the bright colours of a small French Caribbean island, St. Marie, and bring the essence of British policing to its very un-British environment.

The show's funny, interesting and very addictive. The writing is great and the acting just perfect. Carr and John-Jules bring the underdog policeman to life in the time-honoured way (complaining whilst showing just how much more they know than their boss believes) and Miller plays the lost Brit abroad perfectly whilst adding that touch of off the wall brilliance that a British detective is meant to bring to a show. Martins adds a sparkling performance as his sidekick with a wonderfully wry view of the British policeman's inability to adapt to the island's lovely lifestyle.

This show's one to watch and one I hope will carry on in this vein. If it does, we'll see it treated with the same respect as the big names in British detective shows.

Easily 8/10 stars.

Simple Murder Mystery Pleasure

[charlie-54-779219 · 9/10 · 1 December 2011]

So many TV shows try to make "guessing" the murderer nearly impossible. They add irrelevant sub-plots, secrets that are only revealed at the end and over complicated characters that cause confusion. I've just watched episode 6 and I guessed the murderer straight away. But do you think this took away any of the enjoyment of this excellent murder mystery? not in the slightest. The characters are witty & charming and every episode draws one closer to each off the personalities. I eagerly await every new episode. I'm a Brit living in Cape Town, which I consider to be paradise, but one can't help but fall in love with this quirky little Caribbean island.

It's light hearted and laid back

[jonnithomas · 7/10 · 3 April 2013]

well the stereotypes are pleasant and the program is very easy to watch.

it's set in a lovely part of the world and the characters are well played.

there's nothing taxing about this program but it's a very pleasant hour with your feet up watching TV.

the Englishman abroad that hates the sun and misses the rain is such a stuffed shirt role and it should be irritating as it is such an unrealistic stereotype but somehow all the characters work well together and it just works.

it's like your comfortable slippers and the cardigan with a hole in it that you just can't throw away.

An exceptional programme, Needs a second series!!!!

[rac-129-182750 · 9/10 · 27 December 2011]

Death in Paradise is very easy to watch, even if you despise the old fashioned workings of the likes of Miss Marple and Poiroit you can grow to love this murder mystery.

Set in more sunnier climbs than your usual crime drama, the quirky Caribbean police force combined with some brilliant acting from Ben Miller (The hapless, yet genius detective)this has all the recipe for a fun loving watch that isn't as dark and dreary as other such shows allowing for the thrill of the chase as the team track down the evidence in their ramshackle police hut and jungle 4x4 (not as classy as your usual detective company car)

All in all a brilliant series that is brimming with rich and colourful characters and story lines that captivate the imagination as this somewhat old genre is taken to new territory. Whether you watch one episode in a bit of spare time or you decide to emerse yourself with all 8 episodes, Death in Paradise does not disappoint and hopefully will return for a second series with even more Carribbean Crime!

Great Characters

[renegadewriter008 · 10/10 · 23 December 2011]

The brits never seem to get tired of their sherlock holmes stories but I guess we Americans like our Inspectors with lots of Gadgets...Anyways, I only watched this show because one of the reviewers on here said that the lead character was a classic in the making. I have to agree with that. What makes this show interesting is the characters. With a title like "Death In Paradise" it sounds like a dark drama but it's really quite light and very enjoyable watching the typical stiff arrogant brit making his way a round a crime scene in Saint Marie island while also looking for afternoon tea and biscuits in the noon hour. This show has huge potential. I like it a lot

Old school, with a twist!

[diverdiva · 9/10 · 10 April 2013]

I agree with the other reviewers of this show, that it is witty, charming and strangely addictive. I think the reason it works so well is not the murder mysteries themselves, but the interplay of the characters and the quirkiness of DI Poole (a great role for Ben Miller). All the actors involved seem to be having a good time and there is great chemistry between them. The list of guest 'suspects' is also impressive. The beautiful setting doesn't hurt either! It is an old school, comfy, Brit detective show - but with a unique style - and I hope it runs for as long as "Midsomer" did. I'm finding I need my weekly fix of Ste. Honore!

Sunshine and murder, still going strong.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 19 January 2020]

It's 2020, and I'll try and give my thoughts, a snapshot on the series so far. It's still remarkably successful, it's even now commanding massive audiences, greater than the first few series even.

It's normally transmitted in January, it's cold, wet and after Christmas, a little bit grim. Death in Paradise offers sunshine, fun and murder.

We will all have our favourites as to best Detective and favourite cops, but each has had their moments, I've enjoyed them all. We've had some terrific episodes, my favourite story thus far has been 2019's Beyond the Shining Sea, it showed that years after it started it could still shock, entertain and remain hugely relevant, the show has never suffered fatigue or become stale.

It comes as no surprise to me that it keeps on going. 8/10

Humorous and different kind of detective series

[ctyankee1 · 14 May 2013]

It is on in 2013. It has no episode titles.

Ben Miller/DI Richard Poole is very funny. He looks serious, does his job, is transferred out of London and sent to this island to become a supervisor over other police.

He solves the crimes in distinct funny way. At the end of the program he has all the people like Poirot gather together in one place. All the people that had a reason to commit the crime. He puts on a one man show and puts the pieces together of the crime and solves it.

The good features about this series, there is no sex, no swearing, good music and nice clean cut characters. Sarah Martin/Camille has a crush on DI Poole. The show has light hearted fun and a lizard that lives in Poole's cottage. It started that he cannot stand the lizard but now he considers the lizard his friend and named him Harry.

DI Poole is kind of stand-offish. He does not show much emotion but he works well with his police crew and respects them all. CPTV is running the series.

Great first 2 seasons

[phwagz-46691 · 7/10 · 14 September 2015]

This show began as a master craft of wit and a perfect balance of sexual tension .. I gave the first 2 seasons with Ben Miller and Sara Martins a perfect 10 .. Then the wit and sarcasm were replaced with the fumbling milquetoast Kris Marshall and thus began the descent ...then Sara Martins leaves and poof ..the decline hastens ... Oh, I almost failed to mention the replacement of Gary Carr, this was just the last nail in the coffin.. From a solid 10 to a marginal 7 .. What a shame ... This was my favorite show .. Once upon a time. The entire premise of the show was replaced with characters ,who in other venues might have added something to the story but us viewers having feasted on the wit and sarcasm of D.I. Poole which played off perfectly against Sara Martins attempts to loosen his tie and her admiration for his intellect are now left asking

who these characters are and why we should be interested in the mundane .

A breath of fresh air

[yerlo · 9/10 · 3 June 2013]

Totally delightful. Very clean so far which is refreshing. I don't have to worry about who watches it, or be embarrassed. My hubby and I are veteran mystery fans in all genres. We seldom guess the ending or the twists along the way. Clever plots. Accents do take a little getting used to and I sometimes just don't catch what they say. And like most productions these days, the ambient noise blurs the dialog a bit--wish all films would just quit doing that. Lead man, DI Poole, is a great character--combines a little of Miss Marple and Poirot. Sara Martins is exotically gorgeous and a good character. Sometimes it starts to slide towards cheesiness but usually stops short so keeps the show from becoming slapstick. Goofy characters make me switch channels and this show doesn't have one. Have now got other family hooked on it. I hope it has a long run.

Brilliant, but ...

[ebada_shawky · 7/10 · 27 September 2016]

I would have given this a 10 out of 10 if Ben Miller was still the lead, he was absolutely brilliant as DI Poole; he was natural and funny, smart in his own way, and, most of all, the culture clash was very entertaining. However, once Ben Miller was out, followed by Sara Martins, the show lost its unique appeal. I'm still watching because of the gorgeous setting and the brilliant writing, however, Kris Marshall as DI Goodman is just boring, and why did they resort to that cliché of a clumsy man trying to find a woman? It is the worst aspect of the show. I understand that Ben Miller wanted out to spend more time with his family, but they should have found a better replacement for him.

Great series!

[hmflashgordon · 10/10 · 3 May 2013]

This series is an absolute winner. It was created with flair, humour and suspense. The actors were well chosen and truly work well together. I just love watching each episode and with my PVR able to watch them over and over again. This is one series that must be and should be continued. Each show is well photographed, acted and well written. This is truly a top rated show and I really hope it will continue. It is such a relief to be able to watch a series that is both entertaining and interesting. The tropical setting adds a totally different aspect and is well integrated. Very well done. Whoever thought this one up should be proud of their effort. Let's keep this one going. As usual another British show is first class and puts the USA and Canadian programmes out in the cold. Keep up the good work folks!

Perfect--No More

[pensman · 6/10 · 22 January 2012]

DI Richard Poole, Ben Miller, finds himself unwilling transferred to an island in the Caribbean that has a very French flare. Initially he is sent to investigate the murder of a colleague but his success brings him complications: what was to be a one off becomes a permanent mission. The lush surroundings and assistance by Camile Borday, Sara Martins, an undercover officer who now finds herself playing Watson to Pool's Holmes add to the fun. The writing is sharp and the supporting characters are excellent. But will DI Poole who retains his London suits and longs for a decent cuppa ever find contentment on what for anyone else would be the assignment of a lifetime. Don't bet on it.

Unfortunately this series has gone off as Ben Miller has exited and Kris Marshall has replaced him as DI Humphrey Goodman. The chemistry between Miller and the supporting cast was brilliant. Miller's uptight DI Richard Poole was perfect as the fish out of water (or in water) who was determined to preserve his British props at all cost: wear a suit regardless of weather or situation and eschew all in favor of tea and all things British. Marshall's Goodman is a sort of mock British beach boy who is completely at home in an over sized beach shirt and "grooving" on the local life style. As a result the chemistry among the cast has gone completely awry and the show has lost all of its charm.

Cast changes ended my interest

[robinwestmiller-08883 · 2/10 · 23 August 2020]

I really enjoyed the first 6 seasons - but after so many of my favorite actors left and were replaced with truly AWFUL ones - I stopped watching. The lizard had more appeal than any of the new cast -

The plots became boring. Watched the first 10 minutes to see who died, and the last 10 minutes to see who did it, the rest of the show became boring and tedious and frankly I didn't care at all about any of the characters.

I loved Chief Inspector Poole!! - 10 for the first 2 Seasons

[mmalariem · 10/10 · 3 August 2015]

Not since Monk have I had such a good time watching a crime/detective series. Ben Miller was absolutely perfect for the role as was the entire cast, so you can imagine my complete and utter surprise and disappointment when I popped in Season 3 and saw him get killed. I could not believe my eyes!!! (To make matters worse, I was watching in the dark and put in disc 2 instead of one by mistake and saw this tall clunky looking guy and kept wondering where the heck was Ben Miller??? It was not until I grabbed the DVD box and looked at the cover and new something had gone terribly wrong with my favorite TV show. I turned the lights on and read the synopsis and realized that I must have put in the DVD out of order because it explained that the Chief had been murdered. As I plunked down disc #1 it was like watching a pin get stuck in a balloon and then to continue to watch as said balloon deflates. The show has lost all of its flavor, humor and charm in my opinion. I hate the new Chief! I couldn't make it past the first episode and all I keep thinking is why, why, why!!! (While I respect the actor's reason for leaving, boy how I wish the executives of the show could have talked his family into moving on location with him!) As they say, all good things must come to an end but I just wish this one would have last longer.

Bloody excellent

[sentosasam · 10/10 · 14 February 2013]

As an Aussie I obviously lean towards British titles when it comes to favoritism. Death in Paradise is no exception. I love it. The characters are great (particularly DI Richard Poole, played by Ben Miller), he is exemplary.

But what really sets the show apart is its mood and setting. It seems to maintain all the murder and intrigue without going down a dark path. Which, come to think of it, would undoubtedly be difficult considering its set on an island in the Caribbean. The location gives the genre a whole new spin and ultimately a unique direction.

Check it out.

I miss Richard

[allianam · 8/10 · 7 August 2015]

I miss Richard, why did they have to kill him off?! He made the story so much fun. The new guy just bores me. There is no chemistry, no expression in him that makes me think he is a real police detective. He just looks like a bumbling, disoriented tourist. I liked Richard He was exactly how an English officer/detective thrown on an island should be. Apprehensive to take on new things,clinging to his former routines but every now and then you see a glimmer of acceptance. I now watch it for the other characters which make their roles seem real. My husband says it is too boring now and refuses to watch the new episodes with me, he will just start the series over and continue to watch the episodes with Richard. I wish they did not have to have the new guy.

Simply Brilliant

[nowego · 9/10 · 4 March 2014]

Personally I absolutely love detective shows, I grew up on them you might say, and British TV was basically all I got while growing up. We have been spoiled by all the really good detective shows from the UK, although the US shows are right up there with the best now.

Death in Paradise is destined for greatness in my opinion as well. The first two seasons were nothing short of brilliant. Ben Miller is just superb in the roll of DI Richard Poole and is well backed up by the characters played by Danny John-Jules, Sara Martins and Gary Carr. You also can not leave out the Commissioner played by Don Warrington.

DI Richard Poole gets transplanted overnight from his cushy surrounding in London to the bright sunshine and heat of small French Caribbean island, St. Marie. Something he does with much reluctance.

The show is extremely funny and will have you laughing out loud at some of the antics the characters get up to, in particular DI Poole and Dwayne played by Danny John-Jules. You will be addicted very quickly and if you are like me you will be hanging out for the next installment.

The writing is great and the acting is spot on. Particularly the lesser if you can call them that of Fidel and Dwayne played by Gary Carr and Danny John-Jules.

Death in Paradise is very easy to watch, set in such a great location with lots of sunshine and heat it is not your usual crime drama, and this is what sets it apart. With the quirkiness of the Caribbean police force combined superb acting from Ben Miller in the first 2 seasons and Kris Marshall in the 3rd season this show is one you should not miss.

The thrill of the chase as the team track down evidence is made even funnier by the use of great locations and very basic Police buildings and vehicles that you will not be used to seeing in most Police shows.

Do not miss this show. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Losing Ground

[riinwyl · 7/10 · 18 May 2022]

I love this show despite the constant character changes. Sadly, it seems the writing and characters are all losing authenticity and the storylines are getting weaker and weaker. Having lived in the Caribbean, I love the blend of Europe and the Caribbean, but I would humbly suggest going back to the original seasons with Ben Miller and Sara Martins to find that old magic that worked so well back then.

Special mention to Danny John -Jules, Josephine Jobert, Gary Carr, Tobi Blake and Ardal O'Hanlon from previous seasons. Dan Warrington of course, and Elizabeth Bourgine continue on as favourites.

Seasons One and Two - brilliant fun

[hamish-25851 · 8/10 · 26 December 2015]

Saint Marie, a fictional Caribbean island, has changed hands many times, as the Police Commissioner tells Detective Inspector Richard Poole upon his arrival. From the French, to the Dutch, to the English, to the Dutch, to the French, and then back to the English again... but it's still mostly French. Oh, great, says Poole, with no amusement whatever, having just found that the airline has managed to lose his baggage. There's only one flight, there's only one airport - but it's happened anyway - and there's a murder to solve.

And this sets the stage. DI Poole is the quintessential starchy Brit abroad, an Englishman wearing formal suits in tropical heat and desperately in search of a simple cup of tea. He doesn't like sun, sand, or salt water. Or the French, or island food, or island time, or most of what nearly everyone else would consider paradise. Which is a problem, if you're trapped on a Caribbean island by scheming superior officers back in good old London.

DI Poole is awkward. Infuriating, even. He's breathtakingly rude - without meaning to be, or even aware of it - but still. He doesn't understand people, and people don't understand him. But he does understand murder. When it comes to solving an impossible murder, nobody does it better.

It's not really about the denouement, though. Yes, there's a rather traditional gathering of suspects in a room and explaining who, how and why, but the clever murders and equally clever detective work aren't the show's greatest strength. Where the show excels is in the interplay between the characters and their clearly drawn and very different personalities. Most of the fun is seeing how people play off each other along the way.

Ben Miller's turn as DI Poole anchors the show. He's every bit the social outcast, but there's steel under the gaffes. It makes him a man to be reckoned with, and therein lies his charisma. It's not an easy role for an actor to do. Poole could very easily have been an unsympathetic character, but Miller manages to humanise him.

It'd be easy, and a mistake, to overlook Sara Martins' turn as Camille Bowden, Poole's second in command and crime-scene partner. Everything that Poole isn't, Bowden is. It's a difficult balancing act, frequently quite bluntly done, but the show simply wouldn't work without it.

They're supported by Danny John-Jules and Gary Carr, as the seasoned but carefree Constable Dwayne, and the young and idealistic Constable Fidel. The screenwriters allow quite a bit of time for these two characters to stand up in their own ways, further rounding out the team. There's a delightfully sly Police Commissioner popping in from time to time as well.

There aren't car chases, shootouts, or sex scenes. It's not that kind of show. Instead, people have parents or babies – or, in Dwayne's case, ex-girfriends – and forget about the very expensive, very detailed sets typical of high-budget American shows. The series works with what it can get, and is all the stronger for it.

Wit, charm, and good clean fun - an absolute delight.

Plot for an episode....bump off Ruby

[one_pat123 · 6/10 · 7 February 2019]

I would have rated this a 10 until this season. I love this show. Probably because I love the tropical location in the middle of a Canadian winter. I don't mind the change in actors, I grieve their loss for a while but then move on. But....I HATE Ruby. Please drown/shoot/stab/poison her. I'll even fly down there and do it myself she is so annoying. Keep,the show going, just get rid of her.

Ralf's character traits are annoying

[scolob-63791 · 9/10 · 30 July 2021]

Love this series; however, the character traits of the current DI is exceedingly annoying. I suggest the writers do away with them with some sort of magic cure all pill and dispense with all of these traits about bugs, etc. Get back to making the series we all love. Otherwise, this series will go down the tubes.

A story of dramatic decline

[jdhb-768-61234 · 6/10 · 15 January 2023]

What on earth has happened to what used to be a 'must watch' programme ?

In recent times, it has deteriorated so badly as to be bordering on the unwatchable. The acting is stiff and wooden and the stories formulaic, the direction jumps around all over the place and the scripts are on the verge of becoming ludicrous. The cast have become stereotypical and unattractive, with only Don Warrington and Elizabeth Bourgine surviving from the original series and now providing the only relief from the tedium created by a series of almost identical story lines which are dull, tedious and boring.

Ben Miller, Kris Marshall and Ardal O'Hanlon with the wonderful support of Danny John-Jules, Sara Martins and Josephine Jobert brought character and interest to the programmes, almost all of which has now been lost with a third rate cast of nonentities. I'll give it 6 out of 10 on the basis that the earlier series were worth 9s and 10s, while the recent episodes barely rate a 1 or 2.

Time for 'Death in Paradise' to be its own final victim.

Disappointed

[CatSweet · 5/10 · 26 February 2022]

Loved to watch this show which was and still is I guess fun with beautiful landscape. What's not to love, sea sunshine and comedy. The thing I'm disappointed with is this constant change of cast. I've never seen a show that changes or renews actors so fast. Such a high turn over. What I find annoying is that we get used to a character than bang......he or she is gone.

I'd normally put a 10 stars but because of this I'll just leave a 5.

Great ensemble and individual acting, good detective stories

[CornanTheIowan · 10/10 · 21 July 2013]

I give Death in Paradise a "10" not because I can't imagine a better show, but simply because I can't think of any specific thing I would change.

Yes, Sara Martins is wonderful as Camille and it was nice to see Ben Miller again (after Primeval) as another stiff, grumpy guy (but considerably more brilliant in this series).

But I am particularly impressed by the whole ensemble, where each character is so thoroughly distinct, much more so than in many other shows.

To somebody who watches a LOT of detective stories there are of course familiar plot devices, but they are few hints of what's coming next in these scripts. (After all, each victim and potential perpetrator either DID or did NOT take part in the deed, so the total "universe" of detective plots probably numbers in the hundreds to thousands in one way of looking at things, but it's the WAY those possibilities are revealed that makes for a good detective yarn).

I'm sorry to read that Ben Miller will be leaving the show during the third season. It's hard for me to imagine that the show will improve, or even maintain its level.

But I'll be there watching, once it reaches the USA.