Death in Paradise series 14 may have introduced a new Detective Inspector, but it's threatening to take away beloved character Commissioner Selwyn Patterson - so is Don Warrington leaving the BBC show?

Viewers of the current series will know that Selwyn's future looks uncertain. In unsettling scenes, the Saint Marie Police Commissioner was told his job was being "phased out".

So is actor Don Warrington really leaving Death in Paradise, and his role of Commissioner Selwyn Patterson behind? Here's everything we know so far.

Has Selwyn really lost his job?

In early series 14, Selwyn was told that his position was being "phased out", due to job cuts and lack of money.

In episode two, Officer JP Hooper (Tobi Bakare) told him his role was being scrapped.

Finding out about the shocking decision, Elizabeth Bourgine's character Catherine Bordey said: "Selwyn, JP just called and told me about your job and that they're phasing it out.

"I knew something wasn't right about you. But they can't do this."

Sadly, Selwyn said: "But, it seems they can and they have. The Chief Commissioner officially informed me yesterday. It seems it comes back to one thing: to save money."

Catherine spoke for all of us when she said: "But we need you here. The island needs you, so what are you going to do?"

In episode three, Selwyn finally decided to share the news with his team. Apologising to Darlene for being "rather severe", he continued: "I think you will make an exceedingly fine Sergeant one day."

He went on to say: "I have been keeping something from you. The position of Saint Marie Police Commissioner is being phased out. I am being phased out. The can do it. And they are doing it."

In Death in Paradise episode six, Selwyn's replacement arrives in Saint Marie, and it's really beginning to look like the Commissioner is leaving for good.

Who is Selwyn's replacement?

In the latest episode (Friday, March 07, 2025), Selwyn's 'replacement' arrives in Saint Marie for a "handover". And he's as subtle as a sledgehammer covered in a feather boa. Not only does he arrive in a flashy sports car, he shows no subtlety towards his predecessor's predicament.

Basically, you'll hate him. But mostly because he's ousted Selwyn. Former Holby City actor Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge joins the cast as Sterling Fox, the man taking over Selwyn's position. And by that we mean he'll be on the island "every other Wednesday" from his usual position in Jamaica.

And it might not just be Selwyn who's in the line of fire. Make no mistake, Sterling is on the island "to cut costs", and he's keen to meet all the staff for "one-to-one meetings". Yikes.

Is Don Warrington's character Commissioner Selwyn Patterson leaving Death in Paradise?

A central storyline in Death in Paradise series 14 has been the threat of Don Warrington's Selwyn Patterson losing his job. As the series has progressed, the threat has become a reality.

Don Warrington's Commissioner Selwyn Patterson is one of Death in Paradise's most beloved characters. Some might even say he's the "heart of the show". He's been on the BBC One detective show ever since it started in 2011. In fact, in 2024, his character celebrated 50 years of police service.

Selwyn has seen many staff come and go, not least the main detectives - Ben Miller's DI Richard Poole, Kris Marshall's DI Humphrey Goodman, Ardal O'Hanlon's DI Jack Mooney, and Ralf Little's DI Neville Parker.

So it would be a heartbreaking loss to viewers if he left. In series 14, the Commissioner was told they were "phasing his job out".

However, in the penultimate episode of Death in Paradise series 14, Selwyn reopens Dorna Bray's case, allowing Merv to catch her killer... At the end of the episode, Merv asks Sterling to "reinstate the Commissioner, so mistakes don't happen".

A sneak preview of the series finale, which is set to air on Friday, March 28, 2025 - a week later than expected because of Comic Relief - shows Selwyn telling his colleagues "they've offered me the job back". YES!

What has Don Warrington said about Selwyn leaving?

Don, 73, has teased that there may be more twists ahead. In a press interview for series 14, he addressed the job bombshell.

He admitted his character Commissioner Selwyn Patterson doesn't take the news well, adding: "It's shocking for him, and he does his best to get the superiors to change their decision and see things differently…

"It's very interesting because we discover other aspects of Selwyn and that's always the joy about playing a character like him - there are so many different sides to him."

He added: "You think you know about somebody but due to life events, you learn more about them. He's opening up, he's a bit like a flower coming in to bloom.

Whether Selwyn will stay on the island if he lost his job remains to be seen...

Fans react to Selwyn's storyline

Understandably, many Death in Paradise fans have been upset at the very suggestion of Commissioner Selwyn Patterson leaving the show.

One fan blasted: "If they remove the excellent role of Commissioner Selwyn, Death in Paradise will no longer be a show worth watching. It will be trash."

Another said: "Not gonna happen. Selwyn is the backbone of Death in Paradise. No Selwyn means last season of the show."

A third fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "If they sack Selwyn, we all riot, right?"

"Is it true that Don Warrington is leaving for real?" another asked. "What a blow to the series. Some characters are simply unique and not replaceable. Selwyn is a 'constant' even when the DI's come and go!"

Death in Paradise series 14 currently airs on Fridays at 9pm on BBC One until Friday, March 28, 2025.