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Will there be a Death in Paradise season 16? Release date speculation, potential cast and what could happen

We're heading back to the island...

Catherine Garton as Sergent Mattie Fletcher, Shantol Jackson as Naomi Thomas and Don Warrington as Selwyn Patterson in Death in Paradise, stood together with a group of people stood behind them.

BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Philippe Virapin

Published: Friday, 27 March 2026 at 6:00 pm

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While the BBC hasn't officially confirmed that Death in Paradise is returning for season 16, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah previously confirmed to Radio Times that filming will kick off at the end of April.

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"Everything commences again," said the Sebastian Rose star earlier this year. "Back out to Guadeloupe, hurry up and get our tan back. I'm looking like Bart Simpson right now. It's going to be exciting."

So what might be in store in the upcoming instalment?

Read on for everything we know so far about Death in Paradise season 16.

When could a potential Death in Paradise season 16 air?

New episodes typically arrive in January, so barring any major shakeups we expect season 16 to debut in January 2027.

Which cast could return for a potential Death in Paradise season 16?

Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Sebastian Rose, Catherine Garton as Sergent Mattie Fletcher, Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson, Shantol Jackson as Naomi Thomas, Elizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey and Don Warrington as Selwyn Patterson in Death in Paradise, stood next to each other on a clifftop with the sea behind them. They are smiling at the camera.

The cast of Death in Paradise BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Lou Denim

It came as a surprise to both fans of the show and the cast when Ginny Holder didn't return for season 15. But as it stands, we'd expect to see the following faces all present and correct:

You can also expect plenty of new guest stars. Notable figures in season 15 included Siobhan Finneran, Hermione Norris and Steffan Rhodri.

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But it remains to be seen if Daniel Ward will return as Mervin's half-brother Solomon, or if we'll see Avah Cotterell reprise her role as the detective's niece Eloise.

What could happen in a potential Death in Paradise season 16?

A man in a light grey shirt looks intensely off to the side in the foreground, while an older man in a red shirt stands blurred in the background, both appearing serious in an indoor setting.

BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Philippe Virapin BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Philippe Virapin

Alongside the weekly investigations, which keep the team firmly on their toes, we could also see Mervin's relationships with Solomon and Eloise deepen – and perhaps even meet more members of the extended Wilson-Clarke clan.

Plus, we'd expect to learn more about Mattie's backstory and the trauma tied to it, which has been teased out across season 15.

As for Selwyn, Naomi, Seb and Catherine, we'll have to wait and see, but we sincerely hope a genuine, lasting romance is on the cards for the mayor.

Death in Paradise airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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Authors

A head and shoulders shot of Abby Robinson. She is in front of a grey background, looking at the camera and smiling. She wears a black zipped-up jacket with an elaborate gold and maroon design

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.

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