Death in Paradise star was “sceptical” of Saint-Pierre role due to similarities – but insists “the vibe is different”

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Joséphine Jobert, known for her role as Florence Cassell in the popular BBC One series Death in Paradise over the past ten years, is back on UK television in the new crime drama, Saint-Pierre.

The Canadian TV series has already aired in the US on CBS, and now it’s coming to the UK next week on U&Alibi.

To be honest, when I first heard about the new show, I was surprised how similar it seemed to Death in Paradise. Apparently, the lead actress, Jobert, was hesitant about taking the role of Deputy Chief Archambault at first – she even admitted she was sceptical!

I recently learned, from an interview with TopMob, what drew actress Jobert to the role. She admitted that when her agents first told her about the show, she was honestly a little hesitant. But then she explained everything that ultimately appealed to her!

“I was like, ‘Yeah, but it’s another crime show on a small island.’ It’s a duo, two cops.”

The actress talked about her character Veda, originally named Catherine, who was first envisioned as a bartender – much like herself! She playfully noted the similarities, saying Veda was initially meant to be doing the same job as her, and referred to Veda as her ‘best friend’ and a ‘hacker’.

The script was revised, and I was a little unsure at first. But then they encouraged me to simply read it and decide if I wanted to be involved. Once I did, I immediately connected with the character of Arch, as well as all the other characters and the story itself.

After becoming popular on Death in Paradise, Jobert likely faced the possibility of being typecast. But did this concern her when she decided to leave the show?

Honestly, I hadn’t given much thought to what my next job would be. There are so many roles I’d love to play, but realistically, I know I won’t get the chance to do them all.

I had a feeling I’d be offered comparable roles. Like you mentioned, people tend to cast actors in roles that fit their established image, and I was okay with that.

Jobert explained that when he first read the script, it felt very different from Death in Paradise. He believes Death in Paradise, much like the island of Guadeloupe, treats the location itself as a character. He feels the same is true for Saint-Pierre, viewing the island as a character in its own right, but distinct from the world of Death in Paradise.

The Caribbean offers warmth and sunshine, while Saint Pierre is quite cold and has a completely different atmosphere. I’m also getting offers to appear in other crime dramas, but I’m declining because I feel I’ve already explored that genre enough.

Saint-Pierre stars Jobert and Allan Hawco, known for his role in Jack Ryan, who plays Donny ‘Fitz’ Fitzpatrick, the show’s other lead.

I’m really intrigued by the premise of this show! It follows two detectives, both really experienced but with totally different ways of working, who are unexpectedly paired up to investigate some unusual and captivating crimes. It’s set on these gorgeous islands that seem like paradise, but don’t let that fool you – underneath the pretty surface, there’s a lot of dark and serious criminal activity happening. It sounds like the kind of place where trouble literally washes ashore.

Arch and Fitz initially didn’t trust each other, but they quickly realized they worked better as a team.

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Saint-Pierre airs on U&Alibi from 9pm on Wednesday 22 April 2026.

Don’t miss out! Add Saint-Pierre to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download it today for daily TV suggestions, exclusive features, and more.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

I’m a big fan of Morgan Cormack’s work! She’s a Drama Writer at TopMob, and she really knows her stuff when it comes to TV and streaming. Before that, she was writing about entertainment for Stylist, and she’s also got experience in content marketing and freelancing. Plus, she has a degree in English Literature, which I think really shines through in her writing.

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2026-04-15 19:36