Death In Paradise series 15: Who plays Mervin's brother Solomon Clarke as suspicions surface about him being a criminal
Solomon makes a big impression on MervinDeath in Paradise introduces Mervin’s long lost half-brother Solomon Clarke in the first episode of the new series.
DI Mervin Wilson originally arrived in Saint Marie in the hope of reuniting with his mum, who gave him up when he was a baby. Mervin had grown up in the care system and was looking forward to finally being part of a family.
However, the Londoner was sad to find out she’d died. And then Mervin discovered his mum, Dorna Bray, had been murdered!
Towards the end of Death in Paradise series 14, Mervin at last worked out who murdered Dorna, how and why. In the final scenes of season 14, Mervin told The Commissioner he planned to return to London. However, The Commissioner dropped the bombshell that Mervin had a brother and handed Mervin Solomon’s number.
Don Gilet, who plays Mervin, says: “The one thing he was in pursuit of at the start was family and then to throw that in at the end, that he’s not alone… He’s powerless to resist that and he has to stay now for the next chapter in his family quest, because he thought he had no family. So how can he turn his back on that?”
Here’s everything we know about Solomon Clarke including his personality, upcoming plots and who plays him in Death in Paradise series 15.
Who is Solomon Clarke in Death in Paradise?
Solomon Clarke is Mervin’s half brother. During the recent Death in Paradise Christmas special, Mervin got a call from an unknown number in Antigua. Mervin thought it was someone trying to get him to upgrade his mobile phone package. But then the voice at the other end of the phone said: “It’s me, Solomon, your brother. Are you there, Mervin?”
Mervin replied that he was sorry for trying to dismiss the call and that he hadn’t been expecting it. But before they could talk properly Mervin had a brainwave and solved the Christmas case!
At the end of the special, though, Solomon called again just as Mervin was about to sit down with the team to watch his favourite film, The Great Escape. They had a nice chat and agreed to meet up.
Is Mervin like Solomon?
No! Mervin and Solomon Clarke are total opposites. In the first episode of series 15, Mervin waits nervously at Catherine’s bar for Solomon. The pair have arranged to enjoy a drink together. Catherine tries to calm Mervin down and says she’s sure Solomon will be just as nervous as he is.
But as soon as Solomon steps out of his taxi it’s clear he’s nothing like Mervin! Solomon is a much more carefree character. He bounds up to Mervin with a huge smile and joyously shakes Mervin’s hand. Moreover, for some reason he’s carrying a big flamingo toy! While Mervin is a standard beer drinker, Solomon orders a rum on the rocks with a twist of orange.
“Well, I think phrases like ‘two peas in a pod’, do not apply… They couldn’t be more opposite,” explains Don Gilet.
Solomon is a whirlwind and Mervin looks overwhelmed during their first meeting. They toast being brothers. Mervin starts asking Solomon about his life, but then Solomon’s phone goes. Mervin is confused to see that Solomon has several phones. Solomon then leaves and Mervin begins to wonder if there’s something not quite right.
Is Mervin’s brother Solomon Clarke a crook?
It’s heavily hinted in episode 1 that Solomon is a crook. For starters, why does anyone have several mobile phones? We presume Solomon is using multiple devices to cover up his dodgy dealings. The first time they meet Solomon asks Mervin to lend him money to pay for a cab. Later, Solomon arrives at Mervin’s shack with a bottle of booze.
Mervin looks at the bottle and asks: “Shouldn’t there have been a label on this?” But Solomon assures him that it’s a “vintage” tipple and that’s why it doesn’t have a label. So, there’s a hint that Solomon might be smuggling booze. Plus, when they talk about Mervin being a detective, Solomon looks worried.
As for Solomon, he describes his job as being “a bit of this and that, buying and selling.” Now, Solomon sounds like he’s at the Del Boy end of the criminal scale.
It’s implied he’s a small-time crook doing some wheeler-dealing. Solomon then asks Mervin for a $2,000 loan! Mervin is shocked by the amount. Solomon says he wants it for some business opportunities.
Mervin thinks the only reason Solomon wants to see him is to get money. Plus, he’s beginning to fear his brother is a criminal.
Don Gilet says: “Mervin has always wanted a family and a sense of belonging – however, it’s a case of, ‘Be careful what you wish for.’
“He’s getting this feeling that Solomon isn’t the kind of person he would choose for a brother but, as you know, we can never choose our family!
“There’s this imperative in him to do his best to make it work, though. He’s waited all his life for this, so he can’t turn away from it… or can he?”
Who plays Solomon?
Solomon Clarke is played by actor Daniel Ward. Daniel is also a writer and director. He started out in the theatre before moving onto television and films.
Daniel wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed play The Canary And the Crow. His theatre credits include Cat on A Hot Tin Roof which ran at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester and The Amen Corner which was on at London’s National Theatre.
TV wise Daniel enjoyed a small part as Paul in Ben Whishaw’s hit series This is Going to Hurt. He also played Coach Amos in the Netflix teen series Everything Now. Plus, Daniel featured in the film A Bird Flew In, which starred Derek Jacobi.
But playing Solomon Clarke in Death in Paradise is Daniel’s biggest role to date in a major series.
Don Gilet has praised Daniel’s performance, saying he plays him “brilliantly”. It’s not clear how many episodes Daniel plays Solomon for, but we know he’s in the second episode. Hopefully, we will be seeing a lot of Solomon in the new series.
And perhaps Solomon does have a good heart and isn’t really a crook. All will become clear…
Read more: Death in Paradise new series says goodbye to main character
