Former Death In Paradise star Kris Marshall has responded to complaints about the spin-off series he stars in, Beyond Paradise.
The BBC drama, which made its debut last year, has received a mixed response from viewers, with many being vocal about their criticisms.
Marshall starred as DI Humphrey Goodman in the crime drama series from 2014 to 2017 and has fronted the new show in the same role.
It follows his character and Goodman’s wife Martha Lloyd (played by Sally Bretton) in their new life away from the Caribbean island.
It was recently confirmed Marshall would be reprising the role for series two, and ahead of the new episodes he’s addressed the complaints made about the programme.
“You always want critics to like your work,” he stated, adding: “I have a theory – not a theory, actually, it’s a fact – that to make a show like Death in Paradise or Beyond Paradise, that has a broad demographic, that you can sit down and watch with your kids, that bonds all family members in the room, is incredibly hard to do.
The Death in Paradise spin off is returning to screens
BBC
"And to have people scorn it… I’m fine with it now, but it bothered me a bit in the past.”
He added: “These shows are hard to make and they bring people together – that’s got to be lauded a little bit, right?”
It was announced last week Beyond Paradise would be returning to screens for series two later in the month.
Also coming back will be Bretton, Zahra Ahmadi as DS Esther Williams, Barbara Flynn and Anne Lloyd, Dylan Llewellyn as PC Kerby Hartford and Felicity Montagu as Margo Martins.
Beyond Paradise has received some negative feedback
BBC
Meanwhile, the original show has caused some upset amongst fans recently as one of the fan favourite characters, Officer Marlon Pryce (Tahj Miles) exited the show.
Fans were disappointed by one of the newer key characters leaving the show, and actor Miles reflected on his time as Pryce in a social media post.
The actor posted a snap of himself behind the scenes of the latest season.
"It’s been real people, Marlon out," he wrote, while fans flocked to the comments to express their sadness over his departure.
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Marshall addressed the backlash to the spin-off series
BBC
However, while Miles waved goodbye to the show, another familiar face from the series seemed to make a comeback.
Viewers were in meltdown during the latest instalment as Florence Cassell (Josephine Jobert) returned to Saint Marie.
Florence has left and returned to the show on a couple of occasions, initially taking a break in 2019 before returning for four episodes in 2022.
Another familiar face also returned, as Danny John-Jules returned as Dwayne Myers to offer the team some support.
