Beyond Paradise series 4: Episode 1 of new season kicks off with guest appearance from Alex Macqueen in cast
Humphrey and Martha embark on a journey to find a new home, and an impossible decision looms for Humphrey's team
Beyond Paradise returns to our screens with series 4 and, as if that wasn’t already exciting enough, episode 1 kicks off with a brilliant guest cast of famous faces.
Humphrey Goodman is back and there’s highs and lows for the bumbling but effective DI this year. While Humphrey and Martha embark on a journey to find a new home, he faces an “impossible decision” at work.
As the team consider staff cuts, work goes on. This week, when the circumstances of a crime novelist’s death eerily mirror the details of his final novel, Humphrey must uncover whether it was a coincidence or murder by design. And very pleasing set of guest actors arrive to help up the drama…
So who plays who in the cast of Beyond Paradise series 4 episode 1 (Friday, March 27)? Read on to find out.
Beyond Paradise series 4 episode 1 cast: Vincent Franklin plays James Smith
Yorkshire-born Vincent Franklin, 59, stars as James Smith in the first episode of Beyond Paradise. But let’s just say the character isn’t a welcome addition to Shipton Abbott in Devon. Far from it, in fact. Humphrey’s superior officer, he arrives with the news that the team need to make some staff cutbacks…
Actor Vincent has been on our screens since 1996, and is largely known for his comedic roles in Sir Gadabout, the Worst Knight in the Land, Cucumber, The Thick of It, Banana, and Twenty Twelve.
Drama fans will also know him for some pretty pivotal roles. In 2007, he Vincent portrayed Rawdon Hull in the David Morrissey thriller Five Days, before going on to play Mr Limbkins in the Tom Hardy version of Oliver Twist that year.
In 2015, Vincent starred as Drawlight in the fantastic BBC adaptation of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Other notable drama roles include Mike Travis in Bodyguard, Christopher Rawson in Gentleman Jack, and Chris Parsons in Doc Martin.
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Happy Valleys fans will know him as Andy Shepherd in the unparalleled crime drama. Andy Shepherd was the Detective Superintendent in Yorkshire Police, who oversaw several of Catherine Cawood’s investigations into serious crimes.
More recently, the actor played got a promotion to Prime Minister Harry Shaw in the Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea.
He’s been in multiple films, too, including some very, very good ones. We’re talking Vera Drake, Topsy Turvy, Mr Turner, and The Bourne Identity.
Michael Cochrane portrays Kenneth Linder
Sussex-born Michael Cochrane, 78, portrays novelist Kenneth Linder in this week’s episode of Beyond Paradise. He shouldn’t need much of an introduction as he’s been on our screens since 1974!
Significant roles in his early career include Lt. Charles Gaylion in WWI drama Wings, Nigel Crimmond in The Chief, and Terence Bentley in Perfect World. Between 1993 and 2008, Michael starred as Sir Henry Simmerson in the popular Sean Bean drama Sharpe.
He moved on to another period drama, this time playing Reverend Travis in Downton Abbey from 2011 to 2015. More recently, he’s played Mr Kingsley in The Outlaws, and has popped up in episodes of Father Brown, I Hate You, Call the Midwife,
Fans of The Archers will know his voice as that of Oliver Sterling, a role he’s played since 2007. He’s been in tonnes of films, too, including The Saint, The Iron Lady, and Escape to Victory.
Beyond Paradise series 4 episode 1 cast: Andrea Lowe plays Helen Linder
Nottinghamshire actress Andrea Lowe, 52, guest stars as Helen Linder in Beyond Paradise this week. She’s probably most famous for playing DS Annie Cabbot in DCI Banks between 2010 and 2016.
She’s also known for Melanie Woods in Rescue Me, Liz Leech in A Thing Called Love, and Zoe Phelps in Where the Heart Is. Other notable appearances include Philippa Lucas in The Innocence Project, DC Kim Goodall in James Nesbitt drama Murphy’s Law, Lady Eleanor Luke in The Tudors, and Zeta in Shameless.
More recently, she starred as DI Taylor in the brilliant 2022 first series of Sherwood, Bobbi Carter in Without Sin, and Jade Turtle in Meera Syal’s Mrs Sidhu Investigates.
Alex Macqueen guest stars as Anthony Westley
Surrey-born actor Alex Macqueen, 52, pops up as Anthony Westley in the cast of this week’s Beyond Paradise. He’s perhaps best known as a comedic actor, having played Julius Nicholson in The Thick of It, Neil’s Dad in The Inbetweeners, and Edmund in Hunderby.
A jobbing actor for years, he subsequently won the role of sarcastic consultant anaesthetist Keith Greene in Holby City, a role he played between May 2005 and July 2010.
Other notable roles include Captain Justice in The Wrong Door, Barnabus in Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire, Fay’s dad in This Is England ’88, Martin in Trying Again, and Patrick Jarvis MP in Peaky Blinders.
More recently, he’s portrayed Patrick Jarvis MP in Becoming Elizabeth, Tindall in Hijack, Harold White in Rivals, and George Lomax in Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials.
Of course, those of you who suspended disbelief long enough to watch Channel 5’s The Feud will remember him as actively hostile neighbour Nick Hewitt.
Who else stars in the cast of Beyond Paradise series 4 episode 1?
Nimmy March stars as Bethan Hughes. She’s actually Lady Naomi Anna Gordon-Lennox, but goes by Nimmy for short. The Earl and Countess of March and Kinrara adopted her after she was abandoned by her parents. They later became the Duke and Duchess of Richmond. The adoption cause quite the stir at the time.
The Surrey-born actress, 64, has been on our screens since 1986, and is most famous for playing Claudette in The Lenny Henry Show, Aggie in Rides, and Denice Andrews in Common As Muck. She’s popped up in dozens of TV series over the years, including Split Ends, Goodnight Sweetheart, My Good Friend, London’s Burning, Down to Earth, and Undercover Heart. More recently, Nimmy played Margaret Packham in an episode of Grace, and Carole Sloane in Vera.
Welsh actor Wayne Cater plays Dafydd Bevan. He played George the Butcher in Stella between 2013 and 2016. Other significant roles have included Wyn in Parch, and Gethin Boyce in Three Little Birds. More recently, he’s played Jules in Emmerdale, Melvyn in Creisis, and Dylan Onion in The Red King.
Sandra Hale portrays Jill. She’s been acting since the 60s! But has only appeared in a handle of TV shows, including Dixon of Dock Green, Special Branch, Bergerac, Pulaski, London’s Burning, and The Crown,
Omar Ibrahim is Eddie. Ted Lasso fans will know him as Jonny in the 2023 series 3. In 2024, Omar played Númenor Guard in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. More recently, she starred as PC Wells in comedy Things You Should Have Done.
Full cast list for Beyond Paradise series 4 episode 1:
Kris Marshall returns as DI Humphrey Goodman.
Sally Bretton is back as Martha Goodman.
Zahra Ahmadi stars as DS Esther Williams.
Dylan Llewellyn is PC Kelby Hartford.
Felicity Montagu portrays Margo Martins.
Barbara Flynn plays Anne Lloyd.
Melina Sinadinou stars as Zoe Williams.
Guest cast list includes:
Michael Cochrane as Kenneth Linder.
Vincent Franklin as James Smith.
Andrea Lowe as Helen Linder.
Alex Macqueen as Anthony Westley.
Nimmy March as Bethan Hughes.
Wayne Cater as Dafydd Bevan.
Sandra Hale as Jill.
Omar Ibrahim as Eddie.
Death in Paradise detectives ranked (by superfan writer David Hollingsworth)
5. Ralf Little as DI Neville Parker
Sorry, Ralf but there's a strong argument that Neville outstayed his welcome on Saint Marie. Neville was the longest serving detective, joining in series 9 before finally leaving at the end of series 13. And it got to the point where the character was going around in circles.
With his long list of neuroses, Neville was probably the most gentle of the cops, and developed great relationships with all his team. However, the problem then became there wasn't much tension between the cops. Eventually Neville sailed off into the sunset with Florence at the end of series 13.
4. Ardal O'Hanlon as DI Jack Mooney
A few eyebrows were raised when Ardal O'Hanlon was cast as the lead detective. After all, could anyone imagine the man who played Father Ted's dimwitted Father Dougal solving anything?
However, Ardal was great as DI Jack Mooney. Jack is arguably the most complex of all the lead detectives. Struggling with the death of his wife, he heads to the Caribbean for a new start. He provided plenty of laughs, and Jack remains a popular character. So much so in fact that Ardal has reprised his role as Jack in Aussie spin off Return to Paradise.
3. Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson
Don Gilet joined the show as DI Mervin Wilson in the 2024 Christmas special and immediately made an impact. Ralf Little's tenure had rather run out of steam and the show needed a bit more of an edge.
Cue Mervin, who arrived on Saint Marie seemingly set on annoying everyone. Mervin hated everything about the island and even Naomi, who seems to like everyone, started to lose her temper with him. However, he comes with his own story, and there's a lot more of Mervin's story to tell.
2. Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman
The makers had a massive headache when Ben Miller revealed he wanted to quit the show. They knew that the wrong pick could doom the series. Luckily, they chose Kris Marshall, who proved brilliant as Humphrey.
Kris Marshall brought a lot of laughs to the show, particularly in Humphrey's relationship with his boss, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson. The Commissioner initially saw Humphrey as a bumbling buffoon. He was especially unimpressed when Humphrey bought a battered old boat in an attempt to join his swanky yacht club. However, the Commissioner eventually came to respect Humphrey for his crime-solving talent.
The writers also gave Humphrey a lovely romantic storyline with Martha (Sally Bretton). Indeed, the plot was so successful it became the foundation for spin-off Beyond Paradise.
1. Death in Paradise detectives ranked: Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole
The original and the best. Ben Miller was perfect as DI Richard Poole. The character was pompous, annoying but everyone ended up loving him anyway. Richard was never comfortable in the heat. Funnily, Ben Miller admitted he once got so hot during filming he ripped off all his clothes and ran into the sea!
Richard complained about everything and spent much of his time trying to source an English cup of tea. But the original team of Detective Sergeant Camille Bordey, Officer Dwayne Myers and Officer Fidel Best were soon impressed with his sleuthing.
There was a beautiful chemistry between Richard and Camille. Fans hoped that the pair would become an item. But sadly Richard's time on Saint Marie was cut short when he was murdered. Ben Miller was helped that the plots were also generally sharper at the start of Death in Paradise. Richard was the most complex, infuriating, and engrossing of all the detectives. That's why for me he's the greatest of them all.
Read more: Death in Paradise: When you can watch the final episode as BBC One changes the schedules yet again
