*Warning: Contains spoilers for Return to Paradise season 1.*

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Return to Paradise returns for its second outing and it promises to be a highly eventful season.

Speaking to RadioTimes.com about season 1's romantic cliffhanger, which saw Mackenzie's ex Glenn declare his love for her, despite his engagement to Daisy — and in earshot of Mack, lead Anna Samson said: "I think she may have suspected it, but I think to hear those words is a very different thing. There's a reality you can't ignore or suppress once you've heard them. However, he doesn't know she's heard them.

"So she starts series 2 with a decision to make, basically, because she can go about her life as if that didn't happen in terms of him – she'll always know – but will she? Will she say, ‘Hey, I heard that’, or won't she? And how will that impact their dynamic? I don't think the guilt that motors her around Glenn has gone at all for leaving him at the altar all those years ago."

Samson added: "I think what she did, the pain she caused him, is a huge weight on her and dictates a lot of her behaviour and a lot of her oddity around him. Mackenzie has no worry about being liked, but a very true, deep part of her, and maybe all humans, is that she does want to be loved.

"And they're slightly different things, and the person that maybe loves her with the most purity is also the person that she's hurt the most. So that's not a simple dynamic for her. And looking at someone you've hurt, looking at it, facing your own mistakes, and how that has impacted someone you care about, is a very hard thing for us to do, especially with a character who's quite proud and avoidant."

So, things are as complicated as ever, then.

But when can you watch the fireworks? Read on to find out when Return to Paradise season 2 will be released, who’s coming back, and what else to expect.

Return to Paradise season 2 release date: When will it air?

Return to Paradise season 2 will kick off at 8pm on Friday 31st October on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Return to Paradise season 2 cast: Who's returning?

Anna Samson and Tai Hara in Return to Paradise. They are looking at once another while knelt down at a crime scene.
Anna Samson and Tai Hara in Return to Paradise. John Platt

It has been confirmed that all of the central cast will be back for season 2, with Anna Samson and Lloyd Griffith amongst the returnees.

Ardal O'Hanlon will also be back as Jack Mooney, the former Death in Paradise lead detective and Mackenzie's former boss when she was working in London.

Meanwhile, guest stars announced to be appearing in the new season include Danielle Cormack, Meyne Wyatt, Roz Hammond, Justine Clarke, Michelle Lim Davidson, Greg Stone, Zoe Carides, Simon Lyndon, Miah Madden and Tim Rogers.

Here's a full list of the currently announced central and recurring cast for Return to Paradise season 2:

  • Anna Samson as Mackenzie Clarke
  • Lloyd Griffith as Colin Cartwright
  • Tai Hara as Glenn Strong
  • Catherine McClements as Philomena Strong
  • Celia Ireland as Reggie Rocco
  • Andrea Demetriades as Daisy Dixon
  • Aaron McGrath as Felix Wilkinson
  • Ardal O’Hanlon as Jack Mooney

Return to Paradise season 2 plot: What will happen?

Anna Samson as DS Mackenzie Clarke, Tai Hara as Glenn Strong and Andrea Demetriades as Daisy Dixon in Return to Paradise. Mackenzie is stood in front of the other two, talking to them. Glenn and Daisy are holding hands.
Anna Samson as DS Mackenzie Clarke, Tai Hara as Glenn Strong and Andrea Demetriades as Daisy Dixon in Return to Paradise. Red Planet / BBC Studios / John Platt

The official synopsis says that season 2 will "reunite us with Detective Sergeant Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Clarke (Anna Samson), who’s longing to get back to the UK and the life she’s always craved".

The synopsis continues: "But for now she’s stuck in Dolphin Cove, dodging her ex-fiancée Glenn’s (Tai Hara) upcoming wedding after overhearing his unexpected declaration of love in the series one finale - a confession that she can’t unhear.

"Luckily for Mack, her compulsion to solve impossible cases serves as a great distraction, and there’s no shortage of murders to investigate.

"From the literary world to state-of-the-art shark labs, dating apps and rock concerts, Mack and her team face challenging mysteries with their unique blend of humour and tenacity. But Mack’s biggest challenge of all? Finding a way to exist in Dolphin Cove as the ultimate outsider."

At the end of season 1, Mackenzie made the decision to head back to London after she was cleared of evidence tampering, but despite her initial reluctance to return to Dolphin Cove, she wasn't ecstatic about leaving.

But what does the future hold for her and Glenn? He is now engaged to Daisy after she proposed to him, but Mackenzie then overheard her ex telling Frankie the dog that he thinks he still loves her, which is quite the pickle indeed.

It's safe to say Glenn and Daisy aren't built to last, but how long will Glenn continue to pretend that everything's hunky dory?

Daisy could clearly sense that there was still something bubbling away between her partner and his ex. Will she decide to pull the plug on her relationship?

And will Mack and Glenn be able to take that next step and actually tie the knot if they do get back together?

Not long until we find out...

Return to Paradise season 2 trailer: When can I watch it?

Right now. Enjoy it below.

Return to Paradise season 2 will start airing at 8pm on Friday 31st October on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Add Return to Paradise to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

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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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