After a long while, not one but two Don characters show up! As Don Gilbert and Don Warrington appear together on Zoom, they share their thoughts about the popular BBC drama Death in Paradise. In this series, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, played by Don Warrington, introduces a new detective inspector, Mervin Wilson, to the island of Saint Marie during Christmas. With over seven million viewers, it’s been the second most-watched drama during the holiday season, marking the debut of the 58-year-old Don Gilbert.
Previously, the Dons have collaborated, and it wasn’t just during their recent project. In fact, they had a previous encounter in a 2017 BBC4 radio drama titled Deacon. Interestingly, Warrington can’t seem to remember this meeting, but it seems to provide laughter for Gilet. However, it’s worth noting that Warrington does recall Gilet’s audition for Death in Paradise, an impression that left him quite impressed.
He walked in, and there was a spark between us, he explains in a deep, resonant voice that takes me back to my childhood, thanks to my dad’s fondness for the 70s sitcom Rising Damp, where he portrayed Leonard Rossiter’s charming character Philip Smith. “Don G possesses an energy that I felt was ideal for the part,” he comments. “I was very eager for him to secure the role because I believed we could collaborate effectively.” There’s obvious respect between them, and the newcomer, Gilet, seems at ease around his seasoned co-star.
Starting on a well-established series like Death in Paradise can be intimidating due to various factors, one being that the cast and crew are already quite familiar with each other. To help break the ice, the production team organized a barbecue in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, where the show is filmed. This gathering aimed to reunite everyone and welcome their newest addition. Although the actor from Walsall initially felt shy and didn’t stay long, he appreciates the warmth shown by the team. “They welcomed me with open arms,” he explains, “and that hasn’t changed. I’m still feeling the camaraderie, which I’m incredibly grateful for. Now, I feel like I’m part of their family.
Since the series debuted in 2011, Warrington has been portraying Saint Marie’s Commissioner Patterson at the age of 73. Over four different lead detectives have appeared, each one introducing a unique element to the character and setting. Richard Poole (played by Ben Miller) disliked the place intensely, which I found fascinating – that was his character. Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall), on the other hand, was full of energy, excited about being there. Jack Mooney (Ardal O’Hanlon) seemed curious about the island, and Neville Parker (Ralf Little) had a sort of awkwardness, as if his shoes were too big and his clothes didn’t quite fit him right.
Don intrigues me because there’s a double aspect to him. While Mervin might not be aware of it, there seems to be a form of inherited memory at play. It’s like an internal pull towards something familiar, even if you don’t recognize it consciously, a subconscious force is guiding us.
Indeed, Warrington is talking about the Christmas special’s disclosure that Mervin traveled to Saint Marie in search of his biological mother, who sadly had already passed away a few months prior. This unexpected news left Mervin heartbroken and he chose to extend his time on the island to pursue a “personal quest.
Gilet remarks, “He hails from the energetic, crowded city of London, which stands in stark contrast to peaceful Saint Marie.” He’s attempting to transplant the essence of London into Saint Marie, but that’s an uphill battle. Naturally, he’ll clash with many locals, and they view him as impolite. I think a more accurate description would be blunt. He wants things accomplished swiftly and efficiently, and he expects results in a specific timeframe.
Given his five-decade long career, it’s undeniably meaningful for Trinidad-born Warrington, who grew up in Newcastle from the age of seven, to witness a black actor in the leading role of the most-watched BBC series. “Absolutely,” he reflects thoughtfully. “It’s not just significant, but it’s something I can’t overstate. In one sense, it’s a tremendous achievement, and yet, words can hardly express how impactful it is.
It’s worth mentioning that Death in Paradise features an entirely black cast now, which some might find significant, a step towards progress signifying change. Do you share this view, Warrington? “Indeed, one would hope so. One must approach such matters with caution, given the current political climate where there’s a lot of backlash. However, I believe initiatives like this serve as a counterbalance to such sentiments. Regardless of the original motives, it’s undeniably having a very positive impact – and that’s something to be applauded.
Gilet has made it clear that he wants to excel in his role on Death in Paradise and win over his superiors. While the strong Christmas ratings indicate he’s succeeded, he appears hesitant to find satisfaction in them. He emphasizes, “I don’t want to come off as trite or self-indulgent, but no one works for ratings. I prefer knowing that my supervisors appreciate my work. I like knowing that my family and friends enjoyed it, especially those who were already fans.
Ratings serve as a boost for an actor’s self-confidence, but they ultimately signify achievement, which is crucial for executives. Moreover, they demonstrate that the right choice was made in casting him or her. Warrington concurs: “I believe it’s significant that it performed well – for strategic reasons, I think we need to be mindful of that, and it was positive news. It’s intriguing to observe the global response. It serves as solid evidence.
In the opening episode of the new season, the Honoré police station, previously characterized by camaraderie and audience affection, is grappling with contemporary workplace issues as budget cuts threaten the smooth sailing of Death in Paradise. Despite the harmonious relationship between the two Dons, it appears that the show may be navigating challenging times.
I tentatively ask how Don senior feels about Selwyn’s job potentially being at risk.
He expressed concern, saying, “It’s quite troubling,” as he watches his life being flipped around, but he recognizes that he must face the situation, which is out of his hands. As a devoted viewer, I can hardly fathom Saint Marie without the powerful demeanor of the Commissioner. To this, he wisely replied, “Who knows? Life has its unexpected twists.
During the filming of this season, Gilet preferred to focus solely on memorizing lines and delivering his best without any distractions from friends or family in Guadeloupe. However, now that he’s comfortable with his role, there might be a chance for them to join him when filming resumes if he feels ready. In a playful tone, he says, “I’m not sure yet if I want others in the villa they provide me or if I want to enjoy my pool all by myself!” He jokes, “If anyone plans on visiting, it would be for their own vacation and not mine. It might happen eventually, but I don’t want to give anyone any ideas during this interview!
Instead of asking “How about Warrington – is he excited about filming the next season?”, you could rephrase it as: “Is there any news about Warrington’s enthusiasm for shooting the upcoming season?” The Commissioner’s response, “Well, I can’t answer that,” serves as a hint that both the Commissioner and our beloved Honoré character are uncertain about their future. After this, the senior figure and his young companion depart.
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2025-01-21 04:04