BBC returns to Paradise

Star Kris Marshall is leaving Death in Paradise

The BBC has extended global hit drama Death in Paradise into a seventh season and revealed the show’s new star.

Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Ted, My Hero) will replace Kris Marshall, who is leaving after four years heading up the cast.

Death in Paradise is produced by Red Planet Pictures and is both a global seller for commercial arm BBC Worldwide and a ratings hit for BBC1 in the UK, with the sixth season’s premiere securing more than nine million viewers last month.

In related news, BBC3 has ordered a third season of improv comedy format Murder in Successville, about a hapless yet loveable detective investigating a crime.

The show is produced by Tiger Aspect, with Andy Brereton exec producing, Avril Spary series producing and James de Frond directing.