Return to Paradise cast list: Who's who in the Death in Paradise spin-off on BBC One
By Helen Fear | Wed Nov 20 2024Return to Paradise introduces Mackenzie Clarke, the latest detective to take the lead in the Paraverse which includes Death in Paradise, and Beyond Paradise - but who else is in the cast?
The six-part drama arrives on BBC One and iPlayer this week, and it's the latest in the very popular Death in Paradise franchise.
The new series is an Australia-set spin-off from the original Saint Marie-based detective drama. But, for the first time in 13 years, there's a female DI in town.
So who plays DI Mackenzie Clarke in the cast of Return to Paradise, and what's she been in before? Who else joins her in in Dolphin Cove? Here's everything you need to know about the cast of Return to Paradise...
Who plays DI Mackenzie Clarke in Return to Paradise?
Actress Anna Samson, 34, portrays the fish out of water Detective Mack in Return to Paradise. Mackenzie Clarke returns to her small coastal hometown of Dolphin Cove under a cloud, and must face up to her murky past - having left her fiancé at the altar six years before.
Readers, it's safe to say she is NOT going to win any popularity contests on her return.
Anna was actually born in the UK, but spent her early years living in Nigeria. Her family later relocated to Sydney, Australia. As an actress, she made her TV debut playing Natalie in one episode of the 2012 miniseries Conspiracy 365.
She went on to appear in various TV drama series, including Offspring, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, and Winners & Losers.
In 2016, she portrayed Steph Le Guin in the TV series Hunters, followed by roles in Wake in Fright, Jack Irish, and Dead Lucky.
Of course, it's say to say she's popped up in one of the big Aussie soaps, too. In fact, Anna portrayed in Mia Anderson from 2021 to 2022.
She's also known for her theatre roles, and her appearances in films such as Children of the Corn, 36 Questions, and Crime & Punishment.
Return to Paradise cast list: Lloyd Griffith plays Detective Colin Cartwright
DI Clarke will be partnered up with Detective Colin Cartwright, played by British actor and stand-up comedian Lloyd Griffith.
Lincolnshire-born Lloyd, 41, is probably best known for playing journalist Lloyd in all three series of Ted Lasso.
He's also starred in TV series including Drunk History: UK, Bounty Hunters, Not Going Out, It's a Sin, and Whitstable Pearl.
In 2023, Colin played Paul Henry in the Noele Gordon drama Nolly, and popped up as a performer in Brassic. More recently, he's played Nigel in The Outlaws.
As well as acting and stand-up comedy, sports fan Lloyd was a presenter on Sky Sports show Soccer AM until the end of the 2018-19 season. Believe it or not, Lloyd originally trained as a classical choral singer at the University of Exeter before becoming a comedian in 2010!
Tai Hara stars as Glenn Strong
Sydney-born actor Tai Hara, 34, portrays Mack's former fiancé Glenn Strong, who she abruptly left behind years ago.
Like Anna, Tai is also a former Home & Away star, having played Andi Barrett for three years between 2013 and 2016. The character of Andi was known for being troubled, because of his upbringing and the disappearance of his father.
The "extremely unpredictable" character was also known for his relationship with Hannah Wilson.
After choosing to depart the Summer Bay soap, Tai went on to play Kevin Soga in detective drama Hyde & Seek, Vincent Lee in Underbelly: Vanishing Act, and Barman Luke in the Ben Miller comedy Austin.
Between 2022 and 2024, Tai starred as James in the Paramount+ comedy Colin From Accounts.
Return to Paradise cast list: Catherine McClements plays Senior Sergeant Philomena Strong
Australian actress Catherine McClements stars as Mack's boss Senior Sergeant Philomena Strong in the cast of Return to Paradise. She also happens to be Glenn Strong's mum, so Mack's nearly-mother-in-law.
Melbourne-born Catherine, 58, has been on Australian TV screens for nearly four decades. She's also known for her Australian stage and film roles, and for being a presenter.
She is probably best known for playing Detective Senior Constable Rachel 'Goldie' Goldstein in the TV drama Water Rats, a role she portrayed from 1996 to 1999.
Other famous roles include Kerry Vincent in police drama Rush, and Christine Williams in Tangle.
Notable roles include Lorien in The Girl from Tomorrow, Carmen in The Secret Life of Us, Rosie Denton Harfield in CrashBurn, and Meg Jackson in Wentworth Prison.
Between 2019 and 2022, Catherine starred as Birdie Birnside in Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries.
Celia Ireland stars as Reggie Rocco
Actress Celia Ireland, 58, plays volunteer cop Reggie Rocco in the cast of Return to Paradise.
She's another Australian actress known for her extensive TV roles over the course of three decades.
Celia is perhaps best known for playing Regina Butcher in the hospital drama All Saints, a role she played between 1999 and 2005. Wentworth Prison fans will recognise her for playing Liz Birdsworth from 2013 to 2019.
Other notable roles include Shirl in Supernova, Philomena in Swinging, and Connie Callahan in Home and Away.
Return to Paradise cast list: Aaron L McGrath portrays Constable Felix Wilkinson
The supporting cast also includes Aaron L McGrath as Constable Felix Wilkinson. Felix is arguably one of the best characters in the series.
Aaron, 28, is an Aboriginal Australian television and film actor known for playing Young Odin Freeburn in The Gods of Wheat Street, Clarence Boyd in The Code, and Levi Mackay in Ready for This.
In 2018, he portrayed Marley Thompson in the brilliant detective drama Mystery Road. He went on to play Beau McRea in Glitch, and Paddo Steel in Back to the Rafters. More recently, he starred as Albert in the 2023 TV series Gold Diggers.
various roles including Redfern Now, The Code, Glitch, Black Comedy, Jasper Jones and Queen of Oz.
Return to Paradise cast list: Peter O'Brien stars as Artie in episode 5
Fans of Australian soap operas will most definitely recognise the actor who plays Artie in episode number 5. He's played by Peter O'Brien.
Of course, he portrayed dishy Shane Ramsay in Neighbours from 1985 to 1987. However, he popped back in 2022 for what was then thought to be the show's final episodes. Shane returned in November 2024, too.
Shane also portrayed Sam Patterson in the TV series Flying Doctors between 1987 and 1989.
A popular Aussie actor, the 64-year-old is known for his roles in Riptude, Grey Nomad, Tidelands, and Underbelly.
Casualty fans may remember he played Theo 'Stitch' Lambert in the medical drama in 2007. He's also known for playing Det. Joe Hill in White Collar Blue.
Ardal O'Hanlon reprises role as DI Mooney
Irish actor and comedian Ardal O'Hanlon, 59, makes a very very welcome return as DI Jack Mooney in the cast of Return to Paradise on BBC One.
Of course, fans of Death in Paradise know he was the third detective after Ben Miller, and Kris Marshall. DI Mooney appeared on the show between 2017 and 2020. The character has not been seen on screen since he left Saint Marie.
In 2024, Ardal reprises his role as Mooney in Return to Paradise. He appears to be a former colleague of Mackenzie Clarke's, who she calls on the phone during episode one.
Of course, Ardal is also known for portraying Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted, Eamon Donaghy in Big Bad World, and Thermoman in My Hero. More recently, he's starred as Eammon in Derry Girls, Conall in Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything, and Dara in The Woman in the Wall.
Who else is in the cast of Return to Paradise on BBC One?
Perth-born Andrea Demetriades stars as Glenn's new girlfriend Daisy Dixon. She's best known for playing Lina Badir in Crownies, and Lina Badir in Janet King.
Jeremy Lindsay Taylor portrays murder victim Stuart Granger. He starred as Kurt Peterson in Heartbreak High, Ryan Cassidy in Something in the Air, and Petty Officer Pete 'Buffer' Tomaszewski in Sea Patrol. He played Dylan Carter in Home and Away between 2016 and 2019.
Jenni Baird is real estate agent Susan Stirling. She's known for playing Paula Morgan in All Saints, Regina Bligh in A Place to Call Home, and Diane Lawson in The Twelve.
Vivienne Awosoga - aka Neighbours' Alice Azikiwe - stars as Becky Hayden.
Troppo's Ron Smyck portrays taxi driver with a grudge Trevor Bongiovanni.
Wolf Creek's Tess Haubrich stars as Skye Bailey.
Barons' Stephen Hunter portrays Grabt Edgar.
Home and Away's Dylan Hare is Zayne Wyatt.
Barry Conrad - Neighbours' Kane Jones - stars as Jared.
Top of the Lake's Genevieve Lemon is Madge Woodburne.
In episode 2, Naomi Sequeria portrays Jade McCready, Callan Colley is Curtis Faleafa, Roy Joseph plays Nick Dosanjh, Allan Dukes is Ketih Cole, Tom Cossettini is Caleb, and Nicole Yardley stars as Shelley.
