Beyond Paradise cast: New and returning faces for season 4

Beyond Paradise returns for season 4 – and the Shipton Abbott police team are busier than ever.

"Fact and folklore blur as they investigate the death of a novelist who predicted their own demise, a magical night of Dark Morris that soon turns sour, a stolen treasure map that mysteriously reappears, and the alleged sighting of a vengeful mermaid lurking at sea," reads the official synopsis.

Elsewhere, Humphrey (Kris Marshall) and Martha (Sally Bretton) continue their search for a place to call home, while Humphrey faces "an impossible decision that could change the lives of everyone at the station forever".

"I'm not used to playing characters for more than three years before saying I’ve had enough and moving on, but I've been playing Humphrey now, off and on, for 13 years. So this is new ground for me, evolving the character," Marshall told Radio Times magazine.

"But he's getting older, as am I, and one of the things I love about Beyond Paradise is that it's not just a detective show. It's cosy crime, for sure, but there are elements of melodrama and comedy. And it's about a community and family."

Joining the main cast is a raft of guest stars, including Gavin & Stacey favourite Melanie Walters, while EastEnders' Phil Daniels returns as fisherman Marvelous Harris, last seen in season 1.

But who else can you expect to see?

Here's a full rundown of the Beyond Paradise season 4 cast.

Beyond Paradise cast

• Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman
• Sally Bretton as Martha Lloyd
• Zahra Ahmadi as DS Esther Williams
• Dylan Llewellyn as PC Kelby Hartford
• Felicity Montagu as Margo Martins
• Barbara Flynn as Anne Lloyd
• Melina Sinadinou as Zoe Williams
• Jamie Bamber as Archie Hughes

Read on for everything you need to know about the characters in Beyond Paradise season 4 and where you've seen the actors who play them before.

Kris Marshall plays DI Humphrey Goodman

Who is DI Humphrey Goodman? He left Saint Marie to pursue a relationship with love interest Martha Lloyd, and they're now living and working in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott in Devon. His colleagues weren't sure what to make of him when he first arrived, but they quickly fell into a rhythm.

In the first season, his relationship with Martha was driven to the brink as they struggled to conceive, but they got themselves firmly back on track and decided to explore fostering – although they were left heartbroken in season 3 when foster child Rosie returned home to live with her biological mum. Humphrey and Martha were also going to get married in season 2, but the timing wasn't right. They are now officially married, however, after tying the knot in the 2025 Christmas special.

Where have I seen Kris Marshall before? Aside from Death in Paradise, he's best known for Love Actually, My Family and Sanditon, among others.

Sally Bretton plays Martha Lloyd

Who is Martha Lloyd? Martha, Humphrey's partner, runs her own restaurant, which moved to a new venue in season 3. In the first season, she and Humphrey were trying for a baby, but eventually turned their attention to fostering after the constant disappointment proved too great a strain. But they've decided to pause things for now.

Where have I seen Sally Bretton before? You've probably also watched her in comedy Not Going Out with Lee Mack.

Zahra Ahmadi plays Detective Sergeant Esther Williams

Who is Detective Sergeant Esther Williams? Like many people, Esther was bemused by Humphrey when she first met him and was unsure of his approach to policing, but they've since developed a strong working relationship and friendship.

She's intelligent and driven, rising through the police ranks at a rapid rate, and she knows the community inside and out having grown up there, which is invaluable during their investigations. She had a child when she 17, which was a challenging moment in her life, but she rose to the occasion. Esther previously dated Martha's ex Archie, but she got cold feet and ended it – even though there were clearly feelings on both sides.

Where have I seen Zahra Ahmadi before? She played the original Shabnam in EastEnders, starred in BBC sitcom Count Arthur Strong and appeared in season 3 of ITV's The Bay. Ahmadi also appeared in a single episode of Death in Paradise in 2018.

Dylan Llewellyn plays Police Constable Kelby Hartford

Who is Police Constable Kelby Hartford? He was born and raised in Shipton Abbott, which means he knows a lot of the criminals he catches.

Kelby is naive at times, but he's also hard-working and determined – attributes which serve him well in the job. He also strives to impress Humphrey.

Where have I seen Dylan Llewellyn before? He starred as the "wee English fella" in Derry Girls and Jack in Big Boys.

Felicity Montagu plays Office Support Margo Martins

Who is Office Support Margo Martins? She's permanently based at the police station, manning the phones and throwing a withering stare at whoever crosses her. She loves the job, although she'd never admit it.

Margo has had three husbands, all of whom are dead (no, she's not a serial killer – we hope not, anyway) and she hardly ever sees her grown-up children. She's not a fan of Humphrey when he first arrives on the scene, but grows to appreciate him.

Where have I seen Felicity Montagu before? She best known as Lynn in Alan Partridge. She recently appeared in Channel 4 comedy Hullraisers.

Barbara Flynn plays Anne Lloyd

Who is Anne Lloyd? Martha's mum. Her husband died a few years ago, leaving her bereft. She's also very close to her daughter. In season 2, she explored the dating scene, which caused some friction with Martha and left Anne heartbroken. In season 3, she suffered a health scare, which saw her pull away from her daughter, but they're back on track. In season 4, we find out she's become a local counsellor.

Where have I seen Barbara Flynn before? You might have watched her in ITV's Kate & Koji and The Durrells, BBC's Cranford and Cracker with Robbie Coltrane.

Melina Sinadinou plays Zoe Williams

Who is Zoe Williams? Esther's teenage daughter. The pair have a loving relationship, but they also lock horns. Esther works at Martha's restaurant and formed an unlikely friendship with Anne in the last instalment. In season 4, she sets her sights beyond Shipton Abbott.

Where have I seen Melina Sinadinou before? This is her biggest role to date.

Jamie Bamber plays Archie Hughes

Who is Archie Hughes? A vineyard owner and Martha's ex. He tried to kiss her in season 1 and ended up getting into a physical fight with Humphrey, but Archie and Martha are now firmly friends. In season 3, he started to have feelings for Esther and they spent the night together, but she pushed him away. Will they eventually find their way back to one anorher?

Where have I seen Jamie Bamber before? You might know him from DI Ray, Innocent, Strike Back, Marcella, Law & Order: UK, and Battlestar Galactica.

Beyond Paradise season 4 guest stars

Episode 1

• Michael Cochrane (The Archers) as Kenneth Linder - a novelist who is murdered.
• Andrea Lowe (DCI Banks) as Helen Linder - Kenneth's daughter. She found his body.
• Nimmy March (The Lenny Henry Show) as Bethan Hughes - Kenneth's agent.
• Alex Macqueen (The Thick of It) as Anthony Westley - Kenneth's publisher.
• Wayne Cater (Stella) as Dafydd Bevan - a local man who reports an assault.
• Vincent Franklin (The Thick of It, Happy Valley) as James Smith - he's replaced CSI Charlie Woods. He summons Humphrey to The Hub for an important meeting.

Episode 2

• Raquel Cassidy (The Worst Witch, Downton Abbey) as June Harris - she's shaken up after everything in her home is turned upside down.
• Tristan Sturrock (Poldark, Bad Girls) as Dr Clive Harris - June's husband.
• Colin McFarlane (Outlander, The War Between the Land and the Sea) as Dr Roger Franklin - a rival of Clive's.
• Noah Thomas (Everything Now) as Adam Walsh - Roger imprisons him in his shed after stealing food.
• Emily Stott (Foundation) as Amy Riley and Teddy Jay (EastEnders) as Sam - patients of Clive's.
• Gina Bramhill (The Flatshare) as Amelia - a masseuse who's also dating Archie.

Episode 3

• Elliot Janks (Royal Mob) as Craig - someone makes an attempt on his life during an evening of morris dancing.
• Tom McCall (Silent Witness) as Matthew - Matthew hates Craig because he has feelings for his wife.
• Rebecca Knight as Holly - Matthew's wife.
• Phil Daniels (EastEnders) as Marvelous Harris - a fisherman who also has history with Margo.
• Alec Nicholls (This England) as Bob Turner - another member of the morris dancing group.
• Eva Feiler (We Were the Lucky Ones) as Lucy - a nurse.
• Gina Bramhill (The Flatshare) as Amelia - Archie's new girlfriend.
• Vincent Franklin (The Thick of It, Happy Valley) as James Smith - he's replaced CSI Charlie Woods. He orders Humphrey to lay off a member of his team.

Episode 4

• Henry Miller (Grace) as Jeff Simmons - a fisherman who is suspected of sabotage.
• Rina Mahoney (The Archers) as Diana Cooper - she works for Tideline farms and is planning to expand the business.
• Susan George (EastEnders) as Dr Mary Rhodes - a marine conversationist who constantly writes to the council about seaweed farms.
• Susan Penhaligon (Emmerdale, A Fine Romance) as Maud Dingleby - a friend of Mary's who spends her days litter picking on the beach.
• Talia Robens as Lacy Dingleby - Maud's granddaughter. She's passionate about conservation.
• Xander Pang as Elijah Moore - a friend of lacy's and a surfer.

Beyond Paradise season 4 arrives on BBC One and iPlayer on Friday 27 March at 8pm.

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