BBC Death in Paradise viewers were overjoyed to see the return of a beloved character in the first episode of the new spin-off.
Return to Paradise star Anna Samson, 34, will appear in the idyllic Australian coastal town of Dolphin Cove as DI Mackenzie Clarke.
The new spin-off is also the first in the series to feature a female lead detective.
Friday’s episode saw DI Clarke return to Australia after a stint with the London Metropolitan Police.
Her first arrival in Dolphin Cove coincides with her first case, the murder of a real estate salesman during a surfing competition.
However, fans were particularly excited to the see the return of a familiar face of a fan-favourite detective.
Anna Samson leads a cast of new characters in the new Death in Paradise spin-off
BBC
Ardal O’Hanlon’s lovable DI Jack Mooney was a surprise guest on Friday’s episode – delighting fans.
O’Hanlon starred as Death in Paradise’s beloved lead detective between 2017 and 2020.
Mooney was last seen on screens as he chose to leave the Carribean island of St Marie to live in London with his daughter.
The endearing detective is now Clarke’s boss back in the capital with hints at an intriguing new plot.
DI Mooney returns in the new series
BBC
“Mooney,” the fan-favourite said while picking up his phone to Clarke.
Almost anticipating the viewers desire to see more of Mooney, Clarke urged: “Don’t hang up!”
Fans were left guessing about what could be going on as Clarke frustratedly asked: “What is the situation? Is there going to be an inquiry?”
Mooney cleverly swerved the question, wittily replying: “No, I am pretty happy with my mobile plan at the moment. More data than I could ever need, thank you.”
Dropping another hint about further developments, Clarke demanded “I need to know” but was hang-up on.
Confirming there is more to come, Samson, who plays Clarke, has revealed O’Hanlon’s Mooney will be a recurring character.
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“We can expect Ardal to make more than one appearance than just in the first episode because he plays my boss back at the Metropolitan Police,” she revealed.
The 34-year-old actress explained that her character keeps in touch with Mooney for advice about potentially returning to London.
Though the pair didn’t film their scenes together, with O’Hanlon shooting his parts in London, Samson expressed her desire to meet up with him as soon as she and her commitments to Dolphin Cove allow.