Return to Paradise stars react to Death in Paradise cameo in first episode

As a long-time fan of Death in Paradise, I must admit that my heart skipped a beat when I saw Ardal O’Hanlon reprising his role as DI Jack Mooney in Return to Paradise. The nostalgia was palpable and it felt like coming home after a long absence. It was a delightful surprise that added an extra layer of excitement to the show.


*Warning – contains spoilers for Return to Paradise episode 1*

Initially, when it was revealed that “Return to Paradise” was coming, fans of “Death in Paradise” anticipated that this new spin-off would be quite distinct from its predecessor, “Beyond Paradise.

Contrary to expectations, the latest season of Death in Paradise, starring Kris Marshall as Humphrey Goodman, wasn’t just about revisiting an old favorite character. In fact, it was intended to introduce a fresh set of characters and avoid any significant returns – or so it seemed.

Tonight’s opening installment brought joy to viewers as Ardal O’Hanlon made a special appearance, once again taking on the character of DI Jack Mooney from the initial show.

Samson mentioned: “Ardal O’Hanlon portrays my superior at the Metropolitan Police in London, and since Mackenzie has disappeared possibly involving some misconduct there, she’s persistently trying to reach out to his character, Mooney, to learn more about the situation. So when will she be able to return to London? When can she come back home?

In the story, he portrays both her superior and a character she adores. She doesn’t have numerous close relationships or friends, but he is among those few. This becomes evident even in the brief conversations over the phone that we observe.

Ardal and I didn’t have a chance to personally connect, as he filmed all his scenes in England while I was working on mine in Australia. However, we stayed in touch over the phone.

Griffith later remarked: “Moreover, the dullness of it all. My British friends who are currently residing in Australia were viewing it before us, and I received updates at around 10:30 on a Sunday morning while they watched it. Then, about 20 minutes into it, they excitedly exclaimed, ‘Ardal’s here! Ardal’s here!’

Fans who’ve followed Death in Paradise and appreciate the series often go into a frenzy upon seeing that Jack is part of it.

It’s fantastic! Moreover, while it’s not exactly the same production, there’s an element of familiarity that makes it feel both new and comfortably familiar. This duality might be what resonates with audiences and enhances their affection for it.

Samson agreed, stressing the significance of not replicating it exactly but rather honoring its origins. He noted the happiness and fanbase associated with the original, emphasizing that both are crucial and he plays a significant role in maintaining that.

From seasons 6 (in 2017) to 9 (in 2020), O’Hanlon played a role in Death in Paradise, but his character Jack has been absent from both the show and Beyond Paradise since then. Fans are undoubtedly excited to see him return now.

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2024-11-23 01:05