Beyond Paradise is back with its annual Christmas Special, and 2024's offering brings wise men (well, one at least), and plenty of good cheer - here's everything you need to know, from release date to plot.

We last saw DI Humphrey Goodman and his fiancée Martha Lloyd at the end of series 2, which aired in April 2024.

The second season came to a rather bittersweet ending, with Humphrey and Martha calling off their wedding after feeling too pressured. That didn't mean they'd split up, though. They were still very much in love, and looking forward to continuing their fostering journey together...

So what happens in the Christmas special of Beyond Paradise in 2024? Read on to find out about the plot, release date, and cast...

Is there a Beyond Paradise Christmas Special in 2024?

Beyond Paradise continues its Christmas Special annual tradition in 2024, after its very first festive offering in 2023.

This year's trip to Shipton Abbott sees Humphrey and the team tackling two
festive cases. Firstly, they are called to investigate when recently widowed Bob Holland is thrown into emotional turmoil after seeing visions of his late
wife Linda. As if revisiting his grief wasn't bad enough, the ghostly apparition orders him to leave his home...

Unsure whether Bob's ghostly visions are a manifestation of grief or something more sinister, Humphrey and Esther get to work unravelling the mystery.

Meanwhile, Kelby and Margo investigate a break-in at the church, which leaves the nativity scene missing a Virgin Mary!

Away from the station, Humphrey and Martha's fostering journey continues as they open their home to introverted teenager Jaiden.

When is the Beyond Paradise Christmas Special 2024 on?

The Beyond Paradise Christmas Special airs on Friday, December 27, 2024 at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Unlike the Death in Paradise festive offering, it it NOT feature length. Instead, it is an hour long, the same as a normal episode.

Who's in the cast of the festive episode?

The Beyond Paradise Christmas Special 2024 welcomes back the popular cast from series 1 and 2 - as well as some great guests.

Kris Marshall, who first played DI Humphrey Goodman in Death in Paradise, returns opposite Not Going Out's Sally Bretton as Martha Lloyd.

Meanwhile, former EastEnders' actress Zahra Ahmadi returns as DS Esther Williams, and Derry Girls' Dylan Llewellyn reprises his role of PC Kelby Hartford.

Cracker's Barbara Flynn plays Anne Lloyd, I'm Alan Partridge's Felicity Montagu stars as Margo Martins, Hollyoaks' Jade Harrison is CS Charlie Woods, and newcomer Melina Sinadinou plays Zoe Williams.

The guest cast includes Friday Night Dinner actor Mark Heap, who portrays haunted widower Bob Holland. Ted Lasso actress Rosalind Adler plays his late wife Linda.

The Ipcress File actress Tamla Kari stars as Bob's daughter Fiona, while comedian Seann Walsh plays her maverick inventor husband Colin. Of course, Seann is most famous for THAT Strictly scandal back in 2018.

Another Strictly alumni, Chizzy Akulodu, also guest stars in the Beyond Paradise Christmas Special. She plays Reverend Kate Beccles.

Lastly, Austin Taylor portrays introverted teenager Jaiden, who stays with Humphrey and Martha over the festive period.

What happened in the series 2 finale?

In the Beyond Paradise series 2 finale, Humphrey and Martha's wedding day finally arrived… However, the pair did NOT go ahead with the wedding.

Anne had organised a lavish affair, but her plans were far grander than anything the bride or groom actually wanted. Frankly, Anne had become TOO invested in their fairy-tale ceremony, following her own recent break-up with Richard.

In an emotional twist, Anne cancelled the wedding, realising that her daughter and future son-in-law didn't want such a fuss. In the end, Martha and Humphrey agreed NOT to get married on that day. However, they vowed to do so in the future, and threw a not-getting-married party on the beach.

Meanwhile, Humphrey and Martha got closer to fostering a child, and Kelby and CS Charlie Woods shared a kiss on the beach!

The Beyond Paradise Christmas Special 2024 airs on Friday, December 27 at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.