Death in Paradise fans are delighted the crime drama seems to be expanding, with a second spin-off series making history this week after announcing the show's lead.
The original series has left several questions unanswered though, with viewers still desperate to find out who will be stepping into Ralf Little’s shoes as the new detective inspector of the Saint Marie police force.
The BBC show’s four detectives have all been male characters, but it was recently announced comedian Diane Morgan was among the favourites to take over the role after Little left as DI Neville Parker.
Parker’s departure shocked fans because he’d become the longest-running main character on the show.
Morgan was previously announced as the frontrunner to take over the role and would be the first female protagonist on the show.
However, according to Betfred, The Inbetweeners star Simon Bird has taken over as the favourite to become the new star of the show, with odds of 7/4.
Ralf Little left his role as Neville Parker in the latest series
Getty/BBC
However, the gambling site reports there have been increased odds for Morgan as well as Matthew Horne.
The two are currently neck and neck, with 5/1 odds of jetting to the Caribbean island as the new face of the iconic police force.
Betfred’s Kayley Cornelius stated: "Simon Bird still remains the frontrunner to replace Ralf Little, however, we have witnessed a sharp boost in odds for Diane Morgan and Matthew Horne as they now both closely follow behind Simon so it could be a tight call for who could be the next Neville Parker!"
Other names in the mix include Romesh Ranganathan, Jodie Whittaker and Jaye Gritthis.
Fans are trying to predict who might replace Little in the series
BBC
The show’s second spin-off, Return to Paradise, is set to air later this year following Beyond Paradise’s debut last year.
Set in Australia, the new series will see Anna Samson take on the role of DI Mackenzie Clarke as she attempts to solve a whole host of mysterious murders in her hometown of Dolphin Cove.
Her arrival back to her hometown comes after her reputation was damaged as she was accused of tampering with evidence in London, but her return is not necessarily welcomed.
Sue Deeks, head of BBC Programme Acquisition, said: "Everything we all love about Death in Paradise - the humour, the beautiful scenery, the likeable characters, the ingenious plots - now in a fabulous Australian setting."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Former Home and Away star Anna Samson is set to star in the second spin-off series, Return to Paradise
Channel 5
Samson is the franchise’s first female lead, but could the original show follow in its footsteps with Morgan, Whittaker or Griffiths replacing Little?
Or will Bird be taking on the role after the comedian and actor's most recent gig came in last year's Hulu series, Such Brave Girls?
