The Rapture: Who was Danielle Scott-Haughton? BBC One honours her in end-of-credits tribute
"We will all miss her enormously."
The Rapture episode 1 ended on a sombre note, with BBC One paying touching tribute to friend of the show Danielle Scott-Haughton.
The new drama, which is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer, started this Sunday (July 26). And as the first instalment drew to a close, the show took the opportunity to remember a valued member of the team now gone, but never forgotten.
Just after the end credits of the episode, a tribute appeared on screen. It read: “In loving memory of Danielle Scott-Haughton. May 1989 – January 2026.”
Of course, this means that Danielle was just 36 years old when she died tragically young. Here’s everything we know about the woman behind the tribute, Danielle Scott-Haughton, who worked on The Rapture and other huge BBC dramas.
Who was Danielle Scott-Haughton?
Zimbabwe-born Danielle Scott-Haughton studied at the London College of Fashion, before becoming an executive producer, writer, director, and commissioning editor in TV. She tragically died in January 2026 at the age of 36.
She joined the BBC in 2023 as a commissioning editor, overseeing shows including EastEnders, the upcoming Agatha Christie series Endless Night, and comedy Just Act Normal. Fans of Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise might well recognise her name, as she worked as an executive producer on both detective dramas. She also worked on Peaky Blinders, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, and Towards Zero.
Before her time at the BBC, Scott-Haughton worked at Balloon Entertainment for more than six years, with notable credits including Candice Carty-Williams’ drama Champion.
She began at Balloon Entertainment, where she set up the Balloon Diverse Writers’ Initiative (one of many moves to platform underrepresented talent throughout her career). In a statement, her former colleagues at Balloon said: “We are heartbroken at the death of our beloved Dani. She was simply the best person and we will love and cherish her forever.”
Scott-Haughton also wrote and directed episodes of Dear Jesus and The Alexis Show in the early 2010s. Beyond her TV commitments, she was a respected writer. More recently, Danielle worked on Babies.
What happened to Danielle Scott-Haughton?
Danielle Scott-Haughton‘s sudden death was announced by BBC content chief Kate Phillips and Lindsay Salt, director of drama. In an email, they said: “We have some truly awful news to share. Dani Scott-Haughton, one of our brilliant drama commissioners, died unexpectedly in her sleep.”
They continued: “For those of you who knew Dani, you will understand just how extraordinary and special she was – full of joy for her job, super smart, deeply committed, bursting with integrity and a hugely talented commissioner who cared passionately about the work and every single person behind it. She lit up every room she walked into, and infused the drama team with positivity, kindness and the most infectious, warm energy.”
The duo described her as “a real force in the industry”, and “the most beautiful soul”. The statement continued: “None of us can quite believe that she’s gone.”
Death in Paradise team pay tribute to ‘friend’ Danielle Scott-Haughton
Following her death, the official Death in Paradise Instagram account shared an emotional tribute. “It is impossible to put into words the energy and joy she brought with her each time she visited our shoots, or the wonderful collaboration of working with her,” the page wrote.
“Her enthusiasm, positivity and determination not only to make every project as good as it could be, but also to take care of the people and world around her, was infectious and inspiring.
“We will all miss her enormously. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult and very sad time.”
Meanwhile, the team at Death in Paradise producer Red Planet Pictures said: “We were devastated to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague Danielle Scott-Haughton. Dani was the BBC commissioning editor for our Paradise series and was a passionate champion of these shows, as well as every programme she worked on.
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