What time is Death in Paradise’s Christmas special on? BBC schedule and what to expect
Christmas is coming to Saint Marie - and it is time for the festive special of Death in Paradise! 🎅🎄
- Death in Paradise has cooked up another Christmas special.
- It might be the holidays, but murder still stalks Saint Marie.
- But why is a big face missing this time around?
Death in Paradise stars have promised “more heart” in this year’s Christmas special. The hit BBC show is back for a slice of festive action this weekend.
Santa Claus might have come and gone, but he has one late present for those dreaming of a trip to Saint Marie. However, one familiar face will be absent after leaving the island last season.
But what can you expect from this year’s Christmas special? Here’s all you need to know:
What time is Death in Paradise on TV today?
It would not be Christmas without a trip to Saint Marie. Fortunately, the wait is finally over and it is time for another festive episode of the hit BBC series.
Coming a week after spin-off Beyond Paradise had its own Xmas special, Death in Paradise is back. It is set to start at 8.30pm today (December 28) and fans are in for a real treat.
The festive special will be an extra-long episode, running for a whopping 90 minutes in total. It is set to run until 10pm and will be followed by the news.
Where is Commissioner Selwyn in the Christmas special?
Death in Paradise has had many changes over the years - especially when it comes to the British detectives who have ended up in the Caribbean. However, one of the few constants has been Commissioner Selwyn, but he quietly left Saint Marie at the end of the last season.
After the future of his role Commissioner was put at risk, the Island fixture, seemingly exited the show at the end of series 14. He did make a surprise appearance in the Beyond Paradise Christmas special last Sunday (December 21).
Speaking about his absence in the Christmas special, Don Gilet said: “You see how it impacts the characters, thinking that somebody who has employed them and has been there seemingly forever suddenly goes, ‘well, I'm off, I don't want to do this anymore’. Selwyn has been the only one that really gets Mervin from a paternal perspective. He's the only one that he’s shared his demons and fears with and he’s always a step ahead.
“It’s certainly a great loss, that feeling that the person who you can always go to isn’t going to be there anymore. It’s left an emotional hole in the team and it’s going to be interesting for audiences to see how they survive without him.”
Selwyn shocked viewers by appearing as Humphries’ best man during his surprise wedding last weekend.
What to expect from Death in Paradise’s Christmas special?
DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) and the team – DS Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) - identify the murder weapon, but they’re left baffled when they find that it was locked in a drawer when the shooting took place... thousands of miles away from the crime scene, in Swindon!
How is that possible? And why did the victim have the name of one of Santa’s reindeer inked on his palm?
The suspects all claim to have never met the victim. But can they be trusted? As the team are led deeper into a web of secrets and criminality, it becomes clear that they’ll need all the help they can get to solve this baffling case. Perhaps an old colleague spending Christmas in the UK can be tempted to lend a hand...
Meanwhile, Saint Marie’s festivities are gearing up. The annual nativity is afoot, and Mervin has a part to play. But the DI has other things on his mind.
Months back, he reached out to his newly discovered brother but still hasn't received a response. Can Mervin resolve his family situation and get into the festive spirit – for the sake of his team and the island?
Don Gilet added: “There’s plenty of humour, but even more heart. It pushes and pulls emotionally and comedically in equal measure. Mervin faces far more antagonism, and things are a lot more challenging for him, especially now he knows there's a half-brother out there to find.
“However, you can still get cosy, sip your Baileys and enjoy another great Death in Paradise Christmas special!”
The mention of Swindon might open a few eyes, as Commissioner Selwyn is now in the UK visiting his daughter - leading to his surprise appearance in Beyond Paradise. Could he make a shock return in a Christmas miracle?
What has been your favourite watch over the Christmas period and 2025 in general? Let me know by email: [email protected].