Beyond Paradise’s Humphrey and Martha face fostering “challenges” in Christmas special, says Kris Marshall

As a devoted fan of British detective series who has spent countless winter evenings curled up by the fire with a cup of tea and my trusty old DVD player, I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming Beyond Paradise Christmas episode! The prospect of DI Humphrey Goodman and his team unraveling another haunting mystery in Shipton Abbott during the festive season is nothing short of delightful.

At Christmas time, there’s not only an abundance of holiday specials to anticipate, but also the delightful prospect of revisiting Shipton Abbott in a Beyond Paradise Christmas installment.

In the upcoming installment, Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall, along with his team, delve into an enigmatic case involving supernatural elements. Meanwhile, Humphrey and his spouse Martha (portrayed by Sally Bretton) are on the verge of starting a fresh phase in their private lives.

In the upcoming Christmas special, the couple will welcome a teenager named Jaiden (Austin Taylor) into their temporary home as part of their fostering. To provide further insights, Marshall shared with the BBC in an episode preview: “Thus far, Humphrey and Martha have only had a brief foster placement for a boy named Ryan, who was mischievous, full of energy, and generally manageable – yet that was simply a temporary arrangement.

Speaking from my heart as a film enthusiast, I’d say: “Each kid is one-of-a-kind, and foster care can be quite the emotional thrill ride. Every new placement presents its own set of obstacles, but Martha and Humphrey stand side by side, facing them head-on.

Although both Humphrey and Martha share their responsibilities as parents, it’s mainly Martha who shoulders most of the day-to-day tasks. However, Humphrey derives great satisfaction from their fostering journey.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ll share my perspective: Jaiden, much like any typical teenager, seems hard to crack at first. He’s engrossed in his digital world, with his eyes glued to the screen and ears filled with music, making it tough for Martha to strike up a conversation. Yet, she persistently tries to establish a bond, but it’s not an easy task.

As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Jaiden is finding it difficult to be apart from his younger brother. This presents a new challenge for Martha and Humphrey, who have previously worked only with younger kids.

Despite the fresh set of hurdles that come with dealing with a teenager, Martha is resolute on ensuring this Christmas becomes an exceptional memory for Jaiden.

The upcoming episode is scheduled for December 27th, and it includes a touch of a holiday-themed ghost tale. Enjoy!

As per the episode summary: “A widower encounters what appears to be the spirit of his deceased spouse, prompting DI Humphrey Goodman and his team to step in for an investigation.

DS Esther Williams expresses some reservations, while Humphrey eagerly embraces the opportunity for his initial ghost-hunting adventure, seeing as it’s Christmastime, and isn’t everyone intrigued by a spooky holiday tale?

If diehard fans of Beyond Paradise are yearning for more of the Shipton Abbott Christmas tales, it’s worth mentioning that filming for the 2025 installment has already been completed by Marshall.

During an appearance on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with The National Lottery on Virgin Radio UK, Marshall shared that they had recently completed filming for Christmas 2025. As a result, he is currently one step ahead of the holiday season, having wrapped up production just last Friday.

The “Beyond Paradise” Christmas 2024 broadcast is set for Friday, the 27th of December at 9:00 PM, on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer. You can currently watch seasons 1 and 2 on BBC iPlayer.

2024-12-17 14:34

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