Beyond Paradise Christmas special 2025 cast: Guest stars includes a British comedy legend and a Corrie two-timer
Famous faces are arriving in Shipton Abbott this Christmas...
Beyond Paradise returns to our screens this Christmas with a festive episode, bringing with it some very familiar faces in the guest cast.
Airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the big lead-up to Christmas Day, the seasonal special reunites us with Humphrey and Martha in the fictional seaside town of Shipton Abbott.
Once again, there is a new mystery heading our way, except this time, there is a festive twist.
This year’s seasonal special of the Death in Paradise spin-off will see a mystery man arriving at the police station with no memory at all – while clutching a photo of Humphrey. The team gets to work to find out who he is and how he knows the Detective Inspector, but can they crack the case before Christmas?
And away from Christmas crime capers, we all finally get the wedding we’ve long been waiting for…
One thing the Paradise universe does well is bringing in famous faces as guest stars for each episode. This year’s Christmas special is no exception as the series welcomes some very familiar TV stars.
Here is everything you need to know about the Beyond Paradise Christmas special 2025 guest cast…
Beyond Paradise Christmas special guest cast: who is joining for the festive episode?
This year sees comedy legend Adrian Edmondson arrive in the Devonshire seaside town for the holidays.
Ted Lasso actor James Lance and One Day star Jonny Weldon join Adrian.
The guest cast join regular Beyond Paradise stars, including Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman. Sally Bretton is also back as his partner, Martha Lloyd. Zahra Ahmadi returns as Humphrey’s colleague, alongside DS Esther Williams and fan favourite Dylan Llewellyn as PC Kelby Hartford.
Barbara Flynn also returns as Anne Lloyd, and Felicity Montagu is back as Margo Martins.
Jamie Bamber will also return as Esther’s love interest, Archie Hughes. Melina Sinadinou is back as Esther’s daughter, Zoe Williams.
Adrian Edmondson as David Haleton
TV icon Adrian will play a mystery character in the episode called David Haleton. David is an elderly man living with dementia, who turns up on the police station steps, clutching only a photograph of Humphrey.
The official synopsis for the episode says: “David is searching for his sister, Louise, and believes that Humphrey is his last hope. But with precious few clues to her whereabouts, the team must work against the clock to unravel the mysteries of his past.”
But who is David Haleton, and how does he know Humphrey?
What else has Adrian Edmondson been in?
Adrian – also known as Ade – has been married to Jennifer Saunders since 1985. He is best known for his roles as Atom Eins in Alien: Earth (2025), Bottom and Daniel Cook in EastEnders between 2019 and 2020.
He also played punk, Vyvyan Basterd, in The Young Ones from 1982 until 1984.
The comedian and actor also co-wrote Bottom with Rik Mayall in the early ’90s. The show featured slapstick comedy and toured with live stage shows.
He has also appeared in Holby City as Dr Percy Durant, Jonathan Creek as Brendan Baxter, War & Peace as Count Ilya Rostov, Star Wars: The Last Jedi in 2017, and he won Celebrity MasterChef in 2013.
The star has also presented many shows, including The Dales (2011-2013) and Ade at Sea (2014).
Jonny Weldon as Robert Martin
The actor plays a character called Robert Martin, who also happens to be Margo’s nephew.
Speaking of Jonny joining the guest cast, series regular Dylan Llewellyn, who plays PC Kelby Hartford, said: “I’d already known Jonny Weldon from his online content, through his TikTok and YouTube, which I always found hilarious. So, it was such a pleasure to work with him and he’s so well-cast as Margo’s nephew.
“Jonny and Felicity (who plays Margo) are such funny people, and they had great chemistry between them. He really fit into the Beyond Paradise family like a glove! Every guest star we’ve had has been lovely, but I think this festive episode was special for everyone, including the guests.”
Beyond Paradise Christmas special cast: What else has Jonny Weldon been in?
Jonny is best known for playing Ian, Emma’s first love interest in the 2024 Netflix series, One Day.
The actor played Samwell in House of the Dragon and gained recognition for his roles in The Outlaws, Breeders and Sister Boniface Mysteries. He has also starred in movies including The People We Hate at the Wedding and American Road Trip.
Jonny has also enjoyed a varied stage career, appearing as Michael Banks in the original West End production of Mary Poppins at just 11 years old.
James Lance as Terry Finch
James Lance has also joined the cast for the Beyond Paradise Christmas special 2025. He will play a character called Terry Finch, who runs the local wine bar.
When there is a shocking break-in at the bar, the police team is faced with a complex case to crack at the same location where they celebrated their Christmas party just hours before.
What else has James Lance been in?
James is, of course, best known for playing sports writer Trent Crimm in Apple TV+ hit, Ted Lasso. He received high praise for the role and even earned himself a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2022.
The TV star has also appeared as George’s father, Uncle Quentin, in the 2023 BBC series The Famous Five.
In 2021, he appeared in The Canterville Ghost, and in 2006, he played Versailles in the movie Marie Antoinette. Other main roles include playing Ben in I’m Alan Partridge in 1997, Matt Harvey in Teachers in 2022 and Adam Wyatt in Mount Pleasant in 2016.
James married TV presenter and producer Kate Quilton in 2016, and they have one child together.
Emma Stansfield as Annie
Emma plays a registrar called Annie in the cast of this year’s Beyond Paradise Christmas Special. She is on hand to help when an elderly man living with dementia turns up on the police station steps, clutching only a photograph of Humphrey.
What else has Emma Stansfield been in?
Emma starred in The Crown series 5. You will also recognise her from the BBC adaptation of Fanny Hill, Salisbury Poisonings, Call the Midwife, Midsomer Murders and The Tudors.
The Welsh-born actress appeared on Emmerdale as Julie Sawyer in 2023 as well as starring in Doctors, Holby City, The Royal, The Bill, Heartbeat, Casualty, Skins and EastEnders.
She has also been in Coronation Street not once, but twice. She played Steve McDonald’s love interest, Ronnie Clayton, between 2005 and 2006. She then returned to the soap in 2021 as Penny Finton, the mum of Hope Stape’s school friend, Marley.
As well as having extensive theatre credits to her name, Emma has also recently taken the lead role in the award-winning short film Exchange Rate.
Full cast list of Beyond Paradise Christmas special:
Kris Marshall is back as DI Humphrey Goodman.
Sally Bretton returns as Martha Lloyd.
Zahra Ahmadi plays DS Esther Williams.
Dylan Llewellyn portrays PC Kelby Hartford.
Barbara Flynn returns as Anne Lloyd.
Felicity Montagu is back as Margo Martins.
Jade Harrison is Charlie Woods.
Jamie Bamber will play Archie Hughes.
Melina Sinadinou is Zoe Williams.
James Lance guest stars as Terry Finch.
Jonny Weldon plays Robert Martin.
Sukh Ojla is Aad Gill.
Alan Williams appears as Derek.
Adrian Edmondson stars as David Haleton.
Emma Stansfield as Annie.
Passage of My Youth’s Rajinder Ladher as Keith.
Doc Martin’s Vivien Keene as Louise Branagh.
Rajinder Ladher plays Keith.
Seb Branagh is Snowman.
Read more: BBC Christmas 2025 TV Preview
