As part of the recent publicity for new series Return to Paradise, we learn Robert Thorogood’s franchise is now using the name paraverse. This led me to wonder — what next for the current portfolio and future spin-offs? Before I ramble too far, I try to capture the essence of the various series as a guide.
What makes a paraverse show?
I think we can stick to a few essentials:
- Attractive coastal location so viewers in the UK winter can wish they were there
- Cosy crime (murders solved in an Agatha Christie puzzle / denouement)
- A fish our of water detective with excellent if eccentric puzzle solving skills
- A supporting cast of regularly impressed locals.
From what we see of Return to Paradise, most of this is still true. It’s also important to talk longevity. The key to the continued success of Death in Paradise must be a mixture of the fabulous (on screen) setting and the continued change of lead.
What does this all mean for the future?
Death in Paradise — no reason to stop now
Whoever replaces Neville in the soon to film series 14, the Commissioner, Catherine and the scenery will remain. I suspect Wayne will stay for at least a while. Longer term we have to look at the day when Selwyn finally retires and even when Catherine has someone help with the bar.
I can’t see why we wouldn’t get at least series 14-16 with the new lead, and wonder if some of that will be announced as and when the casting is revealed.
Beyond Paradise — inherently time-boxed?
With Humphrey and Martha about to tie the knot, and Martha’s mother living in Shepton Abbot, I wonder if it’s all going towards a happy-ending. We’ve an existential threat of the centralisation of police services, but one thing I can’t see happening is the show without Humphrey. Why would he and Martha leave (ignoring going back to St Marie!)?
Will the show end with series 3 or 4? How will another fish out of water be introduced?
Return to Paradise
There’s a production cost vs popularity analysis to come. Until we see series 1, it’s hard to judge. On paper this should make 2-3 seasons, but the show is particularly engineered around the lead. The UK audience wants a UK connection of sorts and I wonder if this show can make more than a couple of cycles of lead detective.
Future spin-offs?
Skipping over Richard Poole coming back as a supernatural crime solver from beyond the grave (and I want to write one if he does), it’s too early to bring Neville (and or Florence back). Could Jack Mooney carry a new show? What’s the hook? Is Ireland as location too obvious — great scenery, local for filming but too Father Ted?
Could Jack go to the US? It’s a reasonable angle, and there’s some idyllic locations, even if LA / California might stretch the budget. I could imagine a couple of series — would that be worth the investment?
Longer term lets have Nevill and Florence in the South of France by all means, but as I said it’s a long way off.
Other new threads?
We’ve had the Caribbean, Devon and Australia. I’ve talked US, and New Zealand (to UK viewers) perhaps not different enough. What about an Indian spin-off? Easy to pull together some ideas for a family connection and fish out of water for an nth generation emigrant returning for some reason.
Of course St Marie isn’t real, so what about a made-up island near Hong Kong? Singapore? It it just St Marie in a different t-shirt? Bottom line I suspect something could be created with some creative push, and look forward to seeing what actually happens.
Let me know your ideas in the comments.
Symmetry Junction 