With the new holiday season of Death in Paradise about to premiere—featuring Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson for the second time—viewers are hoping we haven’t seen the last of Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, played by Don Warrington, who has been a beloved part of the show for years. They’re secretly wishing for a Christmas miracle to ensure his return!
The previous season ended with the experienced commissioner being unexpectedly replaced by a younger, overconfident official, all in an effort to save money. This change angered the police force in Honoré, upset the local community, and frustrated viewers of Death in Paradise.
RT hosted a conversation between the two Dons, where they discussed their experiences working together and what they had planned for the holidays.
What were your first impressions of each other?
DON WARRINGTON: Well, I knew him before Death in Paradise.
DON GILET: Even though he denies remembering working with me.
WARRINGTON: I knew he’d bring this up!
I first met Don on a radio show – he was the main host, and I was a guest. It was great to recognize him at the audition for ‘Death in Paradise’ and mention we’d worked together. He didn’t immediately remember, which made me worry things weren’t going to go well! But what’s special about working with Don isn’t just his writing; he really makes you think about the relationships between the characters and pushes me to fully understand my role beyond just learning the lines.
The Commissioner was a guiding force for Mervin. Did anyone inspire you to become an actor?
For Warrington, Marlon Brando was the actor who inspired him to pursue a career in acting. Growing up in Trinidad with his grandmother, he used to watch movies shown by a local Asian family. He recalls seeing ‘On the Waterfront’ and immediately knowing that’s what he wanted to do with his life.
The Christmas episode is a festive tradition. Will you be tuning in?
For me, being in the Christmas special feels like a satisfying culmination of all our hard work. It’s not about wanting to be on TV, but about seeing if everything we aimed for with the show actually came together as we’d hoped.
What are your festive plans?
Christmas is always hectic for me with family spread out – some live in the Midlands and others up north, so I end up doing a lot of quick trips to see everyone. After all that travelling, I just want to relax at home, curl up in bed with a blanket, and enjoy a glass of Baileys.
Finally, what gift would you buy each other?
GILET: I would buy Don one of those little music boxes where you turn the crank and it plays a tune.
WARRINGTON: Four guitar lessons.
I brought my guitar with me to Guadeloupe, and he kept asking me to play it. I’m open to learning, but I just didn’t have the time or feel up to it then, so I politely declined.
When a task feels difficult or requires effort, it’s work. But when you’re good at something and enjoy doing it, it feels like pleasure.
The Death in Paradise Christmas special for 2025 will be shown on BBC One and iPlayer on December 28th at 8:30 PM.
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2025-12-08 20:39