Death in Paradise’s Don Gilet recalls forgotten role on BBC drama years before becoming new detective
DEATH in Paradise’s latest star Don Gilet has opened up on his origins with the BBC drama after signing up to play the leading role.
The former EastEnders actor made his debut in the show during the Christmas special but now he is back as the full-time leading detective, DI Mervin Wilson.
But before Don bagged the leading role, he had headed to Saint Marie in a forgotten role alongside lead show star Kris Marshall.
Speaking about his previous show cameo, he admitted he thought he’d never play the main man of the show.
Don said: “It was a long time ago now, but I certainly remember enjoying it!
“I remember thinking I’m here just playing the
villain.
“I’ll never have to play that character who speaks for seven pages nonstop.
“Cut to now, and I’m now playing the character who speaks for seven pages nonstop…”
Ahead of his first day in the role, Don admitted he was both “excited and terrified” to be returning full-time.
The actor said: “I’m sure it won’t be a surprise to say that it was both exciting and terrifying in equal measure.
“I liken it to one of those scary rides at a theme park. I’m going on it, and I know it’s going to be scary, but I’m going to do it.
“You’re daring yourself. Then you sit in the seat going, “What have I just let myself in for?!”
“But it was exciting because I knew I was embarking on this new journey.”
But despite filming in the sunny climates of Guadeloupe, Don admitted he was all about work and less about play when it came to his stint on the island.
Don said: “I did get recommendations for some nice restaurants as well as places to go and visit from the cast.
“They wanted to take me out, but I really wanted to knuckle down while we were filming so I could look back and say that I put all my energy into this role.
“We’ve spent so much time together and there’s such a beautiful, warm bond between us.”
Most memorable Death in Paradise episodes
By Conor O’Brien
- Arriving in Paradise: The show’s very first episode, introducing Ben Miller as the straight-laced DI Richard Poole. This episode also introduces Poole’s team and the fictional island location location of Saint Marie.
- Amongst Us: The eighth episode of series one sees Richard uncover a major secret about Aidan (Adrian Dunbar), who has been dating Catherine (Elizabeth Bourgine). Far from his Line of Duty character Ted Hastings, Aidan is revealed to be a murderer.
- Death of a Detective: The first episode of series three marks a major turning point for Death in Paradise. DI Poole is killed off – with his murder being the first case for replacement DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall). This mirrors two years earlier, when Poole solved his predecessor’s murder.
- Stab in the Dark: This instalment, the first episode of series four, proved memorable for two reasons. It marked the introduction of Florence Cassell (Josephine Jobert) who became a long-running character. Meanwhile, Don Gilet guest-starred as the killer – almost a decade before becoming the show’s latest DI.
- Swimming in Murder: Similarly to above, this episode marks the first appearance of JP Hooper (Tobi Bakare), who starred for seven series.
- Man Overboard (Part One and Two): This two-parter in series six had a lot of different elements involved. Some of the team travelled to London, DI Goodman exited the show – while newcomer DI Jack Mooney (Ardal O’Hanlon) made his first appearance.
- Switcharoo: Airing as the fifth episode of series nine, this was the first intalment following DI Mooney’s departure. In his place came DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little) – who became the show’s longest-serving DI.
- Sins of the Detective: The latter half of a two-parter in series 12, which saw Neville in the frame for murdering smarmy criminologist David Cartwright. Although the team eventually uncover the actual murder, it comes with a big shock.
- A Murder in the Skies: The finale of series 13 marked Neville’s exit from Saint Marie. The unlucky-in-love detective got a happy ending by sailing into the sunset with love interest Florence Cassell – who’d returned a few episodes earlier.