Death in Paradise followers divided over Don Gilet’s casting

Death In Paradise viewers have been left divided after it was revealed Don Gilet would be taking over from Ralf Little as the lead in the beloved BBC series.

Acclaimed actor Don, 57, will make his debut in a feature-length Christmas special later this year, before a brand-new series in 2025. 

While some fans praised the historic choice, with Don being the first lead actor of colour, others branded it a ‘missed opportunity’ after bosses opted not to change tact and cast a woman.

Taking to the social media viewers wrote: ‘Finally a person of colour! The white man savour / fish out of water was getting really old. Tho I was hoping for a woman’: ‘Was hoping 4 a woman this time (Diane Morgan). But think Don Gilet’s not a bad shout. He has charisma’.

‘Still not a female lead, but at least it’s something new. Hopefully he’s not as much of a klutz as Neville  (Ralf Little) because I grew sick of those antics during his run and fell off after his second season’.

Death In Paradise viewers have been left divided after it was revealed Don Gilet (pictured) would be taking over from Ralf Little as the lead in the beloved BBC series

While some fans praised the historic choice, with Don being the first lead actor of colour, others branded it a ‘missed opportunity’ after bosses opted not to change tact and cast a woman (Ralf Little pictured) 

Announcing the news on Thursday, the official Death Of Paradise Instagram account shared: ‘We’ve got some really exciting news… there’s a new detective in Saint Marie!

‘Please give a very warm welcome to Don Gilet who will play DI Mervin Wilson!’

And Ralf was quick to send his support to the star as he replied: ‘Have a wonderful time Don! It’s a magical experience.’ 

Death In Paradise fans have been left feeling confused with the decision to cast Don as he has already starred in the series in a different role.

Don first appeared on the show in 2015 – when Kris Marshall was the detective – playing a murderer who killed the owner of a rum distillery during a seance.

Eagle-eyed fans took to X – formerly Twitter – to share their confusion as Don now returns as a detective. 

One user mused: ‘Ah ha was in Series 4 Ep1, got rid of 2 people! Think avid fans wouldn’t notice! But welcome anyway Don Gilet, you’re going to be brilliant, because you’re such a fabulous actor. Have to admit some brilliant actors have passed through Death in Paradise.’ 

Others added: ‘I like him but I guess this throws contingency out the window.’; ‘He’s already been in it as a killer of his boss at a rum distillery…. Why must TV shows keep doing this I love Death in Paradise but now I can’t watch because I just see him in the part he played in it.’;

Acclaimed actor Don , 57, will make his debut in a feature-length Christmas special later this year, before a brand-new series in 2025

Taking to the social media viewers wrote: ‘Finally a person of colour! The white man savour / fish out of water was getting really old. Tho I was hoping for a woman’

‘This has got Columbo vibes……an actor who played a killer coming back as someone else later!’; ‘Yeah I didn’t like it then either, it’s not that hard to maintain continuity.’;

‘Are they going to acknowledge his previous involvement in the show, or just make him a new character? Twin maybe?’; 

‘Wasn’t he a murderer in season 4? How they gonna explain that one’; ‘Hasn’t he already been a baddie in this? In the Mama Beth episode?’.

Fans have been left confused by the choice after Don first appeared on the show in 2015 – when Kris Marshall was the detective – playing a murderer who killed the owner of a rum distillery during a séance