Death in Paradise Christmas special 2025: Release date and latest news

Tonight's the night – Death in Paradise is returning for its 2025 Christmas special – and there's yet another baffling case for the residents of Saint Marie to solve.

A stranger is found dead in a villa swimming pool, but the murder weapon was locked in a drawer in Swindon, England when he was killed – leaving the team completely stumped.

The official synopsis teases: "How is that possible? And why did the victim have the name of one of Santa's reindeer inked on his palm?"

Meanwhile, Mervin and co are also mourning the loss of Selwyn, who decided not to take his job back in the season 14 finale.

"It's a very interesting thing to think about, that one of the characters that's the beating heart of this whole thing, that has been there from day dot... may not be there anymore," said Don Gilet.

"He's the closest thing to a father figure [that Mervin's had], and then to think he's back to feeling almost like an orphan again...that the guy that's behind keeping him there, that understands him, may not be around anymore, it's a great thing to play."

Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com ahead of this year's Death in Paradise Christmas special, actor Don Warrington also said that fans of the show are "right to worry" they might have seen the last of the commissioner.

"He made a decision, and who knows. Is he going to change his mind? Is he not? Is something going to happen to help him one way or the other? I’ve no idea."

So, what else is there to know about the Death in Paradise Christmas special, and when will it air? Read on for everything you need to know.

Death in Paradise Christmas special 2025 release date: When will it air?

This year's festive episode will air tonight – 28th December at 8:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Death in Paradise Christmas special 2025 cast: Who stars?

The confirmed returning cast of the special is as follows:

• Don Gilet's DI Mervin Wilson
• Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas
• Ginny Holder as Officer Darlene Curtis
• Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Officer Sebastian Rose
• Élizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey

And a number of new guest stars have also joined them:

• Josie Lawrence (Outside Edge)
• Kate Ashfield (Shaun of the Dead)
• Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who)
• James Baxter (Waterloo Road)
• Billy Harris (Ted Lasso)
• Oriana Charles (Cyborg Invasion)
• Alix Serman

Death in Paradise Christmas special 2025 plot: What will happen?

The official synopsis reads: "The office Christmas party of a lifetime takes a dark turn when four co-workers wake up to find a stranger dead in the pool of their Caribbean villa.

"DI Mervin Wilson and the team identify the murder weapon, but they’re left baffled when they find that it was locked in a drawer when the murder took place... thousands of miles away from the crime scene, in Swindon! Stuck in Saint Marie, the team calls on the help of a familiar face to crack the case.

"Meanwhile, Mervin’s anxiously waiting to hear back from his newly discovered brother, which prevents him from embracing Saint Marie's Christmas celebrations. Can Mervin resolve his family situation and get into the festive spirit – for the sake of his team and the island?"

Is there a trailer for the Death in Paradise Christmas special 2025?

Not yet. Unfortunately, no trailer has been released for the Death in Paradise Christmas special, but if anything changes, we'll make sure to update you here.

You can watch a trailer for the latest season below.

The 2025 Death in Paradise Christmas special airs on 28th December at 8:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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