The Death in Paradise Christmas Special 2024 introduced new Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson, who'll attempt to settle into life in Saint Marie in the upcoming series 14.

Earlier in 2024, the BBC announced Don Gilet would take the lead after the departure of Ralf Little's DI Neville Parker. And the new character landed in the festive episode alongside a pretty awesome cast of famous faces.

Although he doesn't exactly charm the police department, or any of the residents, we know he'll be back...

So when does Death in Paradise series 14 start? And what do we know about the upcoming series, the first with newcomer Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson? Here's everything the BBC has revealed so far.

***Warning: spoilers from the Death in Paradise Christmas Special 2024 ahead***

Is there a series 14 of Death in Paradise?

BBC bosses confirmed there'd be a series 14 of Death in Paradise coming in 2025. It kicked off with the Christmas special on Sunday, December 22, 2024 at 8.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Back in February 2023, the channel announced that the popular detective series would return for seasons 13 and 14, as well as two feature-length Christmas special episodes in 2023 and 2024.

Executive Producer Tim Key said at the time: "The response to series 12 has been incredible, so we're delighted that we'll be heading back to Guadeloupe for at least two more series.

"We've got an amazing and joyful Christmas special in store, and then series 13 begins with our 100th episode, so we've got plenty of surprises ready to celebrate that milestone."

He added: "We've got huge plans for the future and can't wait to get going again."

Of course, series 13 saw Ralf Little leave the show, having played DI Neville Parker between 2020 and 2024.

When does it start?

Series 14 of Death in Paradise will follow the feature-length festive episode in early 2025.

The BBC has confirmed that episode one will start on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 9pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

This follows the pattern of previous series. Series 13 started with a special Christmas episode, with more episodes following in February 2024. Series 12 started in January 2023. Not a bad way to start the year - heading to a tropical island...

What do we know about new season of Death in Paradise?

BBC One series Death in Paradise will see its new lead detective – none other than EastEnders alumni Don Gilet - take over in Saint Marie.

Don takes over the role from Ralf Little, whose character DI Neville Parker sailed into the sunset with love interest Florence Cassell at the end of series 13.

After making his debut in 2024's Death in Paradise Christmas Special, Don will return as DI Mervin Wilson in series 14.

Speaking about his new gig, Don said: "Being offered the new lead role in Death in Paradise feels like a deeply loved and incredibly precious jewel has been placed in my hands. This is a big show, with a big heart and the love continually grows for it.

"It is my intention to never lose sight of that and to remain grateful, humbled and dedicated. Even during those testing times when every sinew is screaming at me to run off the set and dive into the sea, swimming pool or an ice-cold beer – whichever happens to be closer at the time!"

We also know that all your show favourites will also be back, including Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, Shantol Jackson as Sergeant Naomi Thomas, Ginny Holder as Officer Darlene Curtis, Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey, and Danny John-Jules as Officer Dwayne Myers.

How and why did DI Mervin Wilson arrive in Saint Marie?

During the Death in Paradise Christmas Special 2024, DI Mervin Wilson arrived in Saint Marie VERY reluctantly... In fact, at the beginning of the episode, he was desperate to get off the island.

Like the previous detectives who have arrived on the island, he was a fish out of water - missing his takeaway coffees, his high-tech office, and a decent phone signal. Frankly, he was acting like a bit of a moron.

When a "Santa serial killer" struck in a local hotel, DI Wilson was forced to stick around for a while. After all, the Saint Marie police department were short of a DI.

Later, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson soon got the truth out of newcomer Merv. The real reason he'd been visiting the island was to track down his mum...

Hint, hint: He has a heart buried somewhere deep inside.

Who is DI Mervin Wilson's mum?

DI Mervin Wilson had arrived in Saint Marie in an attempt to track down his birth mum. He told Commissioner Selwyn Patterson that he'd never met his biological mother, but that he knew she lived in a particular house on the island - a house he had been watching for several days.

Having convinced himself no good would come of it after all, he decided to head back to England without having even knocked on her door. He called the visit a "big mistake". We did not discover how Merv and his mum came to be separated, or who bought him up.

However, after sharing his story with Selwyn, Mervin subsequently found out the truth... A neighbour revealed the woman who lived in the house where Mervin believed his mum lived was called Dorna Bray. Sadly, she revealed Dorna had died.

Selwyn tried to convince Mervin to stay on Saint Marie and discover his roots... Although Merv declined the invitation, something must change his mind.

Commissioner Selwyn said: "I think you'd make a good fit here. Perhaps by getting to know Saint Marie, the island where your mother spent her life, you might get to know a little of her."

However, Merv rebuffed: "It's like you don't know me at all. I'm flattered, but I just want to get back to London asap."

Viewers then saw him drive away in his hired car...

Guest cast of Death in Paradise series 14

Sergeant JP Hooper will be back as a guest in season 14, with Tobi Bakare reprising his role. He originally played JP from season 4, before leaving at the end season 10, and popping up again for a one-off episode in season 13.

Meanwhile, the guest cast also includes famous faces such as Doctor Foster's Adam James, Playing Nice's Michelle Greenidge, former Corrie star Bhavna Limbachia, and Queens of Mystery actress Siobhan Redmond. Casualty actor Tony Marshall, The Bay's Imogen King, Detectorists Gerard Horan, and McDonald & Dodds' Tala Gouveia also appear.

Expect to see dozens of other guest stars, too, including Joy Richardson, Stephen Odubola, Anthony J Abraham, Simon Lennon, David Avery, Sofia Oxenham, Patricia Allison, David Mumeni, Madeline Appiah, Chantelle Alle, Rita Bernard-Shaw, Bobby Gordon, and Charlotte Spencer.

Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge, Judith Jacob, Lily Nichol, and Lyndsey Marshal also appear.

What happens in episode 1 of Death in Paradise series 14?

The synopsis for Death in Paradise series 14 says: "We're transported back to the tropical island of Saint Marie, and this time with a new detective inspector in place - but will DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) remain in the job for long?

"Following the recently cracked case of 'who shot the Santas?', along with the revelation that his estranged mother has passed away, Mervin is ready to get back home and leave the island for good.

"But when a case close to the hearts of those at the station presents itself, is he tempted to extend his stay?

"As Mervin continues to ruffle feathers, the police team pull together to solve some of the island’s most confounding cases yet."

Elsewhere, we're told that Commissioner Selwyn Patterson must deal with momentous news from the chief commissioner in Jamaica that rocks the police department to its very core.

Meanwhile, Naomi finds herself at an emotional crossroads when an old flame from St Barnabas makes a surprising appearance on the island.

Death in Paradise starts on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 9pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.