New drama Return To Paradise coming to BBC One

A brand new Death in Paradise spin-off is on its way to BBC One.

Return to Paradise, a new Australia-set spin-off from the original UK series, is being made by BBC Studios Productions Australia with Red Planet Pictures for the ABC, in association with the BBC.

Taking charge as the franchise’s first lead female detective is Anna Samson (Dead Lucky, Wake in Fright, Jack Irish) as Mackenzie Clarke.

Unravelling the murder mysteries alongside Anna is the exciting ensemble cast of Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso, Nolly), Tai Hara (Home and Away, Colin From Accounts, Austin), Catherine McClements (Total Control, Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries), Celia Ireland (Wentworth, Total Control), Andrea Demetriades (Mother and Son, The Artful Dodger) and Aaron McGrath (Gold Diggers, Preppers).

Return to Paradise centres on DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson), an Australian expatriate who has distinguished herself within London’s Metropolitan Police by solving seemingly unsolvable murder cases.

Accused of evidence tampering, Mackenzie is forced to return to Australia, specifically to a place she vowed never to revisit – her hometown of Dolphin Cove.

She left the town in notoriety six years earlier, notably abandoning her then fiancé, Glenn (Tai Hara), at the altar, making her return unwelcome.

However, with no alternative employment prospects and a natural aptitude for unravelling mysteries, no matter the complexity, a hesitant Mack joins the Dolphin Cove Police Station team.

The moment a case is assigned to her, she dedicates herself fully until the perpetrator is apprehended. This determination and professional dedication may eventually endear Mackenzie to her colleagues and the residents of Dolphin Cove.

Six-part series Return to Paradise will air on BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

It’s the second spin-off of the original series following Beyond Paradise, the UK-set spin-off which launched in 2023 and recently returned for a second series.

Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, said: “Everything we all love about Death in Paradise – the humour, the beautiful scenery, the likeable characters, the ingenious plots – now in a fabulous Australian setting. I cannot wait for BBC viewers to be introduced to Detective Mack and the good (and not so good!) folk of Dolphin Cove. What a treat we have in store!”

The original Death In Paradise will return with a fourteenth series, following the exit of Ralf Little.