Death In Paradise fans rejoice at surprise cameo in spin-off Return To Paradise
The BBC crime drama set in Australia is in a Death In Paradise spin-off with a new lead detective, but an old fan favourite popped up in episode one.
What did you miss?
Death in Paradise were celebrating the return of DI Jack Mooney in new spin-off Return to Paradise.
The hit BBC crime drama has spawned yet another spin-off, this time set in Australia and with a new female lead detective. But the first episode, which premiered on Friday, 22 November, saw a cameo from Father Ted star Ardal O'Hanlon.
What, how, and why?
Return To Paradise stars Home and Away's Anna Samson as DI Mackenzie Clarke who returns to her small home town of Dolphin Cove after some time away working with the Metropolitan Police in London. On the day DI Mackenzie Clarke arrives back in town, there just happens to have been a dead body found stabbed on the beach, and she joins the investigation The locals are not pleased to see her, and it emerges that she left Dolphin Cove after jilting her husband-to-be at the alter.
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Less than halfway into the episode DI Clarke gets a call from DI Jack Mooney back in London, revealing she is being investigated for misconduct by tampering with evidence back in the UK. DI Mooney is played by Father Ted star and comedian Ardal O'Hanlon, who starred in Death In Paradise between series six and series nine.
What did viewers say?
Viewers were delighted to see the return of Jack Mooney.
One wrote on social media platform X: "Yay it's Jack. Much missed". Another said: "*screaming*: Jack Mooney cameo on Return to paradise @BBCOne what the..." Someone tweeted: "Didn't realise the Mooney tie in was as substantial as it seems. Hopefully that means plenty of screen time!"
Another viewer posted: "JACK MOONEYYYYY HE’S BACKKKK". And another shared: "I'm loving all this talk of DI Mooney. I've missed Jack".
Viewers were quickly won over by Samson starring as new detective Mackenzie Clarke, loving her character and the soap star in the role.
One confessed on social media: "Bit in love with Mackenzie Clarke already". Another wrote: "Definitely a perfect fit with the other lead detectives in the @deathinparadise universe in #ReturnToParadise" One enthused: "obsessed with her accent" And another raved: "an icon already".
And Death In Paradise fans are delighted by the latest spin-off.
One wrote on X: "I'm loving this show, real damn good, better get future series." Another posted: "That was really enjoyable, a nice addition to the franchise". And another even commented: "That was better than its “parent programme”. Even more cartoonesque at times and brilliant for it."
Return to Paradise airs on BBC One at 8pm on Fridays and is available to stream in iPlayer.
