Beyond Paradise series 3 has come to an end, with several of the key characters suffering heartbreak - but will they get a happy ending in series 4?

In the final episode of the third season on BBC One, Humphrey and Martha faced a difficult step in their fostering journey, while Esther made a big decision about her love life, and Kelby made an unlikely friend (times two!).

Here's a recap of what happened at the end of Beyond Paradise series 3, and what we know about a possible series 4.

***Warning: spoilers from the Beyond Paradise series 3 ending ahead***

What happened at the end of Beyond Paradise series 3?

In the final episode of Beyond Paradise series 3, Josh Wood's girlfriend Lucy Thompson vanished on her way to work. But Humphrey and the team soon got to the bottom of it when they discovered that Lucy had been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Local man Trent Morgan, desperate to pay off his debts, had stolen drugs from drug dealer Steve Banley. As payback, Steve kidnapped Trent's beloved mum. Lucy just happened to be cycling past on her way to work and got bundled in the van, too. Luckily, all were rescued at the end.

As for Martha and Humphrey's fostering journey, they were forced to say a bittersweet farewell to their foster child Rosie, when her mum was able to take her back. Devastated, they thought they'd have more time with the girl. Perhaps the day will come when they are able to adopt a foster child and complete their family.

Meanwhile, despite Esther "moping around like a sad, lost puppy", she (rather stupidly if you ask us) refused to get back together with Archie. She hasn't dated anyone since Zoe's dad died when she was a baby. And, although Archie agreed to take their relationship at Esther's pace, she told him she couldn't do it. [Insert exasperated eye roll emoji here.]

Lastly, Kelby made two new friends in the Beyond Paradise series 3 finale. Firstly, he found he had lots in common with his previous nemesis Josh and, secondly, he got himself a dog! Awwwww.

Is there a series 4 of Beyond Paradise?

BBC One has not confirmed if there'll be a series 4 of Beyond Paradise, telling us there's "nothing to report as of yet".

However, we're very confident there'll be another series coming. Like Death in Paradise, which has started filming season 15, and Return to Paradise, which has confirmed a second series, the Devon-set spin-off has legs to go on and on.

Unlike Death in Paradise, which thanks to the title needs someone to die every week, Beyond Paradise centres on murders, robberies, kidnappings, and other strange goings on. There's also the ongoing fostering journey for Martha and Humphrey, and the will-they-won't-they relationship between Esther and Archie.

There's no reason why Beyond Paradise can't carry on for years and years, providing the public still want to watch it.

And don't forget the weekly guest cast, which makes every episode slightly different. Series 3 has included Hugh Dennis, and Caroline Quentin. In the future, we'd quite like to see Ralf Little's Death in Paradise character DI Neville Parker turn up on the coast one week!

Will there be a Christmas special in 2025?

If a series 4 of Beyond Paradise is commissioned, then we're confident a Christmas special will be part of the package.

Series 1, which started in 2023, included a Christmas special. The second series, which followed in 2024, also featured a festive episode.

So, we'd fully expect there to be a Beyond Paradise Christmas special in December 2025. In fact, we'd be very surprised if it hadn't already been filmed... Watch this space for more details on Beyond Paradise series 4.

Read more: Death in Paradise pays tribute to crew member Denis Guyenon at end-of-credits

Beyond Paradise series 1 to 3 are currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.