Death in Paradise fans have every reason to worry about the fate of Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, according to star Don Warrington, who hints the character’s future is far from certain after the events of season 14.
In the buildup to the Christmas special, Selwyn’s arc took a turn when he was dismissed and replaced by a younger colleague. Yet his superiors later acknowledged Selwyn’s exceptional abilities and offered him the position again. He chose retirement instead, leaving police work behind. Still, the question lingers: is this truly the end, or might he be drawn back by an irresistible pull?
In a candid exchange with Radio Times, Warrington embraced the ambiguity surrounding Selwyn’s next chapter. He teased, “Selwyn made a decision, and who knows what happens next? Will he reconsider? Or will something unfold to nudge him in one direction or another? I’m not sure.”
Joining the conversation, co-star Tobi Bakare (JP Hooper) recently asserted that the show can endure without Selwyn, a claim Warrington playfully countered with, “Well, I don’t think so.”
Regardless of Selwyn’s ultimate path, the 2025 Christmas special is set to center on four colleagues who wake up the day after their festive party to find a body in the swimming pool.
The episode features a slate of notable guests, including Doctor Who’s Pearl Mackie, Ted Lasso’s Billy Harris, Shaun of the Dead’s Kate Ashfield, Waterloo Road’s James Baxter, along with Josie Lawrence, Oriana Charles, and Alix Serman.
Meanwhile, Beyond Paradise also has its own Christmas outing this year, and looking ahead, filming has begun on a 15th season of Death in Paradise. A premiere date for the new season has not yet been announced and may wait until after the Christmas special, though the show typically returns in January or early February.
The Paradise franchise airs on BBC One and streams on iPlayer.
About the author: Joe Anderton is a freelance Digital Spy journalist since 2016, covering live events and interviewing a wide range of celebrities. A TV and film enthusiast at heart, Joe also enjoys video games, with a particular fondness for PlayStation. He currently doesn’t use Twitter, except for the occasional plug that urged people to watch Help! I’m a Fish.
