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Return to Paradise cast: Who stars in season 3 of the Death in Paradise spin-off?
Everything you need to know about the characters and where you've seen the cast before.
BBC/John Platt
- Abby Robinson
Published: Friday, 6 November 2026 at 11:15 am
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Return to Paradise returns for season 3, picking up the fallout from the wedding cliffhanger that closed the previous run as Detective Sergeant Mackenzie "Mack" Clarke settles back into life and crime-solving in the fictional coastal town of Dolphin Cove.
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Glenn left to "find himself" after Mack "wrecked" another of his weddings (the first was her own). But he returns – and looks set to battle for Mack, quite literally, when he ends up in a fight with the new pathologist.
"There's something undeniable about the raffish charm of Leo," who takes a shine to Mack.
But who will she choose?
As if that isn't quite enough to contend with, Mack's "force-of-nature mother" Jillian arrives on the scene and "puts Mack's mettle to the ultimate test".
"And, while Dolphin Cove may still look like paradise, it continues to serve up a steady stream of baffling murder mysteries – from the artist stabbed in full view of the public, to the wildlife worker dead in a locked cassowary cage.
"Mack will solve it all with her usual brilliance, and the off-beat help of her loyal team."
Return to Paradise. BBC
The sun-soaked Death in Paradise spin-off keeps its core ensemble while adding fresh faces and tangled romantic complications, with Anna Samson once again anchoring the cast as Mack.
New regulars include Kerry Armstrong as Mack's mother and Jacob Collins-Levy as a new pathologist whose arrival stirs up the station.
One familiar name is missing, with Andrea Demetriades not returning as Daisy Dixon.
Below is a full guide to the actors and characters appearing in the latest season.
Return to Paradise main cast
- Anna Samson as DS Mackenzie "Mack" Clarke
- Tai Hara as Glenn Strong
- Lloyd Griffith as Colin Cartwright
- Catherine McClements as Philomena Strong
- Celia Ireland as Reggie Rocco
- Aaron McGrath as Felix Wilkinson
- Kerry Armstrong as Jillian Clarke
- Jacob Collins-Levy as Dr Leo Drake
For more information about the characters and where you've seen the cast before, read on.
Anna Samson plays Mackenzie Clarke
Anna Samson in Return to Paradise. John Platt
Who is Mackenzie Clarke? Mack is a sharp Australian detective who returned from London to her hometown of Dolphin Cove after controversy forced her out of her post, joining the local police team and reckoning with her past. Samson has said the third season pushed her to new emotional depths as Mack navigates personal upheaval alongside the murders
What else has Anna Samson been in? Most people know her as Mia Anderson in Home and Away.
Tai Hara plays Glenn Strong
Tai Hara as Glenn Strong. Red Planet/BBC Studios/John Platt
Who is Glenn Strong? He's a forensic pathologist and Mackenzie's ex-fiancée. She abandoned him at the alter several years ago. Glenn was all set to get married to another woman, Daisy, last season but she called it off after sensing he still had feelings for Mack. He then left Dolphin Cove to clear his head, but returns this season.
What else has Tai Hara been in? You probably know him from Home and Away. You might also recognise him from Colin from Accounts.
Lloyd Griffith plays Colin Cartwright
Lloyd Griffith in Return to Paradise. John Platt
Who is Colin Cartwright? A detective constable who works closely with Mackenzie.
"Colin is the heart of the community," said Griffith. "He's a police officer. He's been in Dolphin Cove for about five years. He loves the community. He loves the sense of togetherness and belonging. I think it's something that he probably didn't have back in England.
"They've really accepted him here. They love him. He's got a slightly different accent, but you know, he pulls his sleeves up, literally and metaphorically, and he just gets stuck in."
What else has Lloyd Griffith been in? He's best known for Ted Lasso.
Catherine McClements plays Philomena Strong
Catherine McClements as Philomena Strong. Red Planet/BBC Studios/John Platt
Who is Philomena Strong? A senior sergeant. She's also Glenn's mum and was all set to be Mackenzie's mother-in-law before she suddenly left for London.
Samson described the dynamic between Mackenzie and Philomena as "interesting", adding: "They are two very strong, intelligent women who deeply respect and admire each other, but are at odds because of what Mackenzie has done."
What else has Catherine McClements been in? Her credits include Rush, Water Rats and Tangle.
Celia Ireland plays Reggie Rocco
Aaron McGrath plays Felix Wilkinson and Celia Ireland plays Reggie Rocco. Red Planet/BBC Studios/John Platt
Who is Reggie Rocco? A police volunteer. Griffith described Ireland as "the funniest actor you'll ever, ever, ever encounter".
"She's like the queen of corpse, she'll just do something," he added, "and she has this amazing way, like her eyes go when she knows the camera's not on her."
What else Celia Ireland has been in? She's best known for All Saints and Wentworth.
Aaron McGrath plays Felix Wilkinson
Aaron McGrath as Felix Wilkinson. Red Planet/BBC Studios/John Platt
Who is Felix Wilkinson? A police constable who is mostly paired with Reggie. He might be the younger one, but it's Felix who's often telling reggie to behave.
What else has Aaron McGrath been in? You might recognise him from Glitch, Ready for This, Gold Diggers, Preppers and Back to the Rafters.
New cast members in Return to Paradise season 3
Kerry Armstrong as Jillian Clarke
Anna Samson and Kerry Armstrong in Return to Paradise season 3. BBC/John Platt
Who is Jillian Clarke: Armstrong joins the regular cast as Jillian Clarke, Mack's larger-than-life mother, whose arrival shakes up Mack's world.
Where you've seen Kerry Armstrong before: An acclaimed Australian actor, Armstrong is best known for playing Heather Jelly in SeaChange and for her lead role in the film Lantana, winning Australian Film Institute Awards for both in 2001.
Jacob Collins-Levy as Dr Leo Drake
Jacob Collins-Levy as Dr Leo Drake in Return to Paradise season 3. BBC
Who is Dr Leo Drake: Collins-Levy plays Dr Leo Drake, Dolphin Cove's new pathologist, whose arrival brings romantic complications for Mack
Where you've seen Jacob Collins-Levy before: The Australian actor's standout roles include Henry VII in The White Princess, Karl-Axel Munck in Young Wallander and Eredin in The Witcher: Blood Origin, with film credits including True History of the Kelly Gang.
Supporting and guest Return to Paradise cast
Season 3 features a roster of guest stars across its murder-mystery cases, including:
- Mark Lee (A Place to Call Home, La Brea)
- Ngali Shaw (Ladies in Black, The Twelve)
- Anthony Hayes (The Slap, Total Control)
- Zöe Ventoura (Packed to the Rafters, Time Bandits)
- Matt Day (Rake, The Unusual Suspects)
- Robert Mammone (The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions)
- Bruce Spence (Mad Max 2, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)
Return to Paradise season 3 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. It also airs on Friday nights
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Authors
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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