Death in Paradise newcomer Don Gilet has revealed his character doesn’t get off to the best start in Saint Marie. The EastEnders star has taken over the lead role in the series following the exit of Ralf Little, who portrayed DI Neville Parker.
Don will make his debut as DI Mervin Wilson in the Death in Paradise Christmas special, which is due to air on 22 December. Ahead of the festive episode, the actor appeared on The One Show to discuss what fans can expect from DI Wilson as he settles into life in Saint Marie.
“He’s not really liked, to start with. He doesn’t wanna be there, doesn’t like the place, the pace of the place… All this is working against him and against his methods,” Don admitted.
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Don will portray DI Mervin Wilson in Death in Paradise -Credit:(Image: BBC)
“He doesn’t suffer fools gladly. He doesn’t have much patience, he’s a guy who doesn’t stand still. Everything needs to be happening like that, at the pace of London and if it’s not, he gets impatient. And that’s when you decide if you’re gonna like him or not because he rubs his colleagues up the wrong way,” he added.
Don explained that his character is supposed to be leaving the island, but gets a call to work on a murder case while enjoying a “kind of” holiday. This leads him to get involved in the festive mystery, albeit reluctantly.
The One Show hosts Alex Jones and Clara Amfo showed a clip of Mervin’s boss calling him as he boards a plane to leave. While he’s desperate to leave the island, he’s unsuccessful in doing so.
The Death in Paradise Christmas special will air on 22 December -Credit:BBC
The synopsis for the Death in Paradise Christmas special reads: “We’re back on the beautiful island of Saint Marie, and this time with a new detective inspector in tow. Londoner Mervin Wilson ruffles some feathers as he clashes with the island’s way of life. But he quickly sinks his teeth into one of the team’s most puzzling murder cases yet: three men, all unconnected apart from the fact that they’re dressed as Santa Claus, are shot with the exact same gun at the exact same time.
“As Mervin wrangles with this impossible murder, his colleagues struggle with their new boss’s unusual working methods. And Dwayne’s Christmas with his father doesn’t exactly go to plan…”
The Death in Paradise Christmas Special will air on 22 December at 8.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.