Death in Paradise has been keeping viewers in the dark about the new detective joining the island after DI Jack Mooney (played by Ardal O’Hanlon) leaves for good. However, the channel has now teased viewers about Neville Parker’s (Ralf Little) arrival ahead of him joining the show in episode five.
Season nine of Death in Paradise is currently airing on BBC One on Thursday evenings as Mooney and his team continue to solve a number of murders.
However, viewers will soon be saying goodbye to Ardal O’Hanlon’s character as he leaves the show for good.
The news was announced at the end of last year with the BBC confirming his replacement Parker will be heading over to the island from Manchester to join the team in his place.
The new detective will be played by The Royle Family and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps actor Ralf Little.
READ MORE: Death in Paradise season 9: How will DI Jack Mooney leave the show?
Ahead of him joining the series, the BBC has released a number of first-look images to give viewers a glimpse at what he looks like in action.
From the looks of the images, it seems like Parker could be setting up for a clash with his fellow members of the police department.
In one image he is pointing angrily while Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) and Madeleine Dumas (Aude Legastelois) look bemused in the background.
Other pictures also seem to hint Parker might not acclimatise to island life very easily as in he is seen scowling in some and in another is perched on the end of his bed looking concerned.
This reportedly soon brings the celebrations of the new luxury hotel resort launching to a swift end.
According to the synopsis: “It looks like a simple case of suicide, but with Jack Mooney no longer around to confirm Commissioner Selwyn’s suspicions, DI Neville Parker is temporarily flown over from Manchester to close the case.
“However, he soon realises that island life is not for him, so when evidence of suspicious activity turns up, he is dismayed to realise he will have to extend his stay and investigate the case as murder.”
This is seemingly setting Parker up for some tension with the existing cast as he attempts to adjust to island life.
The dynamic was also teased by producer Tim Kay in an interview with Hello.
He said: “As a huge compliment, Ardal’s character is very nice and very loveable.
“So we wanted a character who was a bit more challenging for people to bring a bit of friction into the mix.”
As well as Little joining the cast in the fifth episode, there will also be guest appearances by Steve Pemberton and Samantha Bond.
Death in Paradise airs on Thursday evenings at 9pm on BBC One.
