Home TV News Ralf Little Joins ‘Death in Paradise’ Season 9 As New DI

Ralf Little Joins ‘Death in Paradise’ Season 9 As New DI

by Dave Elliott

Ralf Little Joins ‘Death in Paradise’ Season 9 As New DI

Following the news that Ardal O’Hanlon’s D.I. Jack Mooney would be leaving the series, Ralf Little has been revealed as the new lead detective in award-winning BBC drama Death in Paradise which returns for Season 9 on BBC One from January 2020.

Little takes on the role of Detective Inspector Neville Parker, who is reluctantly dispatched to the fictional island of Saint Marie to investigate the suspicious death of a woman from his home city, Manchester. He joins series regulars Don Warrington, Tobi Bakare, Shyko Amos, Aude Legastelois and Elizabeth Bourgine in Guadeloupe where the series is filmed.

“It took less than 0.005 seconds to say yes to playing the new DI! How could I not?” commented Little. “Ardal has been wonderful in the last few series and to follow in his footsteps in a place as idyllic as Guadeloupe was a great honour and a dream come true. It is a joy to play Neville and I can’t wait for viewers to see him in Paradise this series.”

Ralf Little got his big break as Antony on ‘The Royle Family’, following that with the sitcom ‘Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps’. Since then he has appeared in tv series such as ‘The Cafe’, ‘Our Zoo’, and ‘Borderline’, along with films such as ’24 Hour Party People’ and ‘Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey?!’ 

Renowned for its weekly dose of clever whodunnit murder mysteries against a stunning Caribbean backdrop, Death in Paradise remains one of television’s highest-rated dramas and series ten has already been commissioned by the BBC.

“We’re delighted to welcome Ralf to the team,” comments Red Planet Pictures Executive Producer, Tim Key. “He’s not only a great actor but also extremely funny and from the moment he stepped on set we knew the show was in safe hands. Neville is a true fish out of water and the island of Saint Marie is going to test him to the core. We’re hugely excited about the future and can’t wait for the audience to meet D.I Parker.”

This is not the first time there has been a change of leadership for the Caribbean police unit. Ben Miller starred as D.I. Richard Poole for the first few seasons, and was then followed by Kris Marshall as D.I. Humphrey Goodman up to Season 6. O’Hanlon’s D.I. Jack Mooney will depart at some point in Season 9, but viewers will need to tune in to see exactly how and why he leaves.

“I am so pleased to welcome Ralf Little to the island, who we know will be brilliant in the role of D.I. Parker,” adds Tommy Bulfin, Commissioning Editor, BBC Drama. “Death in Paradise brings escapism and joy to BBC One and I can’t wait for viewers to see what’s in store in the new year.”

Ralf Little as Detective Inspector Neville Parker

Ralf Little as Detective Inspector Neville Parker

‘Death in Paradise’ is commissioned for the BBC by Charlotte Moore, Director of Content, and Piers Wenger, Controller of Drama Commissioning. Tim Key will continue to executive produce for Red Planet Pictures and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC. Death in Paradise is a Red Planet Pictures production, produced with the support of the region of Guadeloupe and distributed by BBC Studios.

Death in Paradise‘ Season 9 premieres January 2020 on BBC One.

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