Death in Paradise cast explain how “great loss” of “irreplaceable” Selwyn will impact the series

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Fans were shocked when Commissioner Selwyn Patterson left Death in Paradise at the end of season 14, and it seems the characters within the show are just as upset about his departure.

After many years working in Saint Marie, Selwyn (Don Warrington) decided not to come back as commissioner, even though he had the chance. Instead, he’s chosen to focus on his own well-being after a very difficult period in his life.

Although there’s still a chance he might come back, everyone will definitely miss him when the show goes on.

Don Gilet, who plays DI Mervin Wilson, described how important Selwyn was to the team and especially to his character, Mervin, after the commissioner’s departure.

Gilet explained that the story explores how characters react when someone they’ve worked for a long time unexpectedly decides to quit, leaving them to cope with the change.

He went on to explain that Selwyn was the only person who truly understood Mervin as a father figure. Mervin confided his deepest struggles and fears only in Selwyn, and Selwyn consistently seemed to know what Mervin was going through before anyone else.

It’s deeply sad to lose someone you always relied on. His absence has created a real emotional void within the team, and it will be fascinating to see how they cope and move forward without him.

Selwyn has consistently brought a calm, insightful presence to the show since the beginning, so his leaving is a huge loss. It won’t be easy for Mervin to adjust, and others will likely feel the impact too.

Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas, played by Shantol Jackson, shared that the commissioner was much more than just a supervisor to the Honoré Police Department.

She explained that when someone leaves, like the former Inspector, they have to keep moving forward, though things are never quite the same. The town really felt the loss of the Commissioner and his vibrant personality; he was more than just a supervisor to everyone.

He wasn’t just a friend; he felt like family – a comforting uncle and a guiding father figure all in one. His advice and insight were truly unique, and losing him has left a void that can never be truly filled.

Fans last saw Selwyn leave the island of Saint Marie after helping Mervin mend things with his brother and sharing a heartfelt, but open-ended, goodbye with Catherine Bordey. With actor Chris Warrington recently appearing as Selwyn in the Beyond Paradise Christmas special, many viewers are hoping he might return to the show in the future.

When Death in Paradise returns for a Christmas special in 2025, fans will definitely miss him. The new case involves a puzzling mystery: a body is found in a pool at a Caribbean villa, and the possible murder weapon is locked away in a drawer all the way back in Swindon. Mervin and the team will have their work cut out for them solving this baffling crime.

The special will star Gilet, Jackson, Ginny Holder, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, and Élizabeth Bourgine, with guest appearances by Josie Lawrence, Kate Ashfield, and Pearl Mackie.

Don’t miss the Death in Paradise Christmas special tonight, December 28th, at 8:30 PM on BBC One.

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Authors

Morgan JefferyDigital Editor

Morgan Jeffery leads the editorial content for TopMob across all its digital platforms as Digital Editor. Before joining TopMob, he worked as TV Editor at Digital Spy and has appeared as a television commentator on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live, and Sky Atlantic.

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2025-12-28 14:34