As Humphrey and his colleagues investigate the break-ins, it is soon clear that these are no usual burglaries, leaving the team stumped, but the resolution soon makes them all "reconsider the true meaning" of Christmas.
But with CS Charlie Woods questioning the future status of the local station house, who knows what changes lie ahead in the new year.
Kelby also has his hands full with a "cheeky young shoplifter, a chance encounter gives Martha food for thought about the future, and Esther's daughter Zoe is less than impressed when she is made to work in Santa's Grotto".
More like this
Read on to find out who else is returning for the Christmas special and which new faces have been drafted in.
Beyond Paradise Christmas special cast
- Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman
- Sally Bretton as Martha Lloyd
- Zahra Ahmadi as Detective Sergeant Esther Williams
- Dylan Llewellyn as Police Constable Kelby Hartford
- Felicity Montagu as Office Support Margo Martins
- Barbara Flynn as Anne Lloyd
- Melina Sinadinou as Zoe
- Chris Jenks as Josh Woods
- Jade Harrison as Charlie Woods
- Eva Feiler as Lucy
- Isaac Vincent-Norgate as Ryan
- James Fleet as Ernest
- Amalia Vitale as Hannah Owen
- Kulvinder Ghir as Frank
- Sheila Reid as Kathleen Jones
For more about the Beyond Paradise cast, read on...
Kris Marshall plays DI Humphrey Goodman
Who is DI Humphrey Goodman? After leaving Saint Marie to follow his love interest Martha Lloyd back to the UK to explore a relationship with her, they're now engaged. Humphrey is working a new beat in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott in Devon. His colleagues aren't sure what to make of him when he first arrives, but they quickly fall into a rhythm. In the first season, his relationship with Martha was driven to the brink.
Where have I seen Kris Marshall before? Aside from Death in Paradise, he's best known for Love Actually, My Family and Sanditon, among others.
Sally Bretton plays Martha Lloyd
Who is Martha Lloyd? Martha, Humphrey's partner, runs a cáfe of her own. In the first season, she and Humphrey were trying for a baby, but have since shelved those plans, the fallout from which very nearly destroyed their relationship. But they are back on solid ground.
"It was wonderful to come back to this character after five years," said Bretton. "I really like Martha. She's very warm and driven, but she overthinks things, so she's interesting to play."
Where have I seen Sally Bretton before? You've probably also watched her in comedy Not Going Out with Lee Mack.
Zahra Ahmadi plays Detective Sergeant Esther Williams
Who is Detective Sergeant Esther Williams? Like many people, Esther is bemused by Humphrey when she first meets him and is unsure of his approach to policing. She's intelligent and driven, rising through the police ranks at a rapid rate, and she knows the community inside and out having grown up there, which is invaluable during their investigations. She had a child when she 17, which was a challenging moment in her life, but she rose to the occasion.
Where have I seen Zahra Ahmadi before? She played the original Shabnam in EastEnders, starred in BBC sitcom Count Arthur Strong and appeared in season 3 of ITV's The Bay. Ahmadi also appeared in a single episode of Death in Paradise in 2018.
Dylan Llewellyn plays Police Constable Kelby Hartford
Who is Police Constable Kelby Hartford? He was born and raised in Shipton Abbott, which means he knows a lot of the criminals he catches. He's naive at times, but he's also hard-working and determined – attributes which serve him well in the job – and wants to impress Humphrey.
"Kelby looks up to Humphrey, he is really impressed and in awe of his work," said Llewellyn. "He always wants to do better and improve, so enjoys learning from Humphrey and sees him as almost a father figure."
Where have I seen Dylan Llewellyn before? He starred as the "wee English fella" in Derry Girls and Jack in Big Boys.
Felicity Montagu plays Office Support Margo Martins
Who is Office Support Margo Martins? She's permanently based at the police station, manning the phones and throwing a withering stare at whoever crosses her. She loves the job, although she'd never admit it.
Margo has had three husbands, all of whom are dead (no, she's not a serial killer – we hope not, anyway) and she hardly ever sees her grown-up children. She's not a fan of Humphrey when he first arrives on the scene.
"On the surface, she's very tough on everyone and she doesn't really want to give much away about herself," said Montagu. "Underneath it all, I think she lives for them. She has a very interesting life and nobody quite knows what Margo gets up to but she's very fond of them all in her own way."
Where have I seen Felicity Montagu before? She best known as Lynn in Alan Partridge. She recently appeared in Channel 4 comedy Hullraisers.
Barbara Flynn plays Anne Lloyd
Who is Anne Lloyd? Martha's mum. Her husband recently died, leaving her bereft. She is very close to her daughter.
"Anne is a little bit at sea at the moment," said Flynn. "She would have been an easy woman who is very supportive to her husband and her daughter, knowing that the relationship ups and downs in families grow and change. She's quite a jolly person. She's not overly accommodating. She has a relationship with her daughter that is very interesting, special and real."
Describing Anne's relationship with Humphrey, Flynn said: "[It] is not as plain sailing as, 'Oh, my goodness me, this man is in love with my daughter, I'm going to open my gate.' She finds him rather bewildering and astonishingly tall."
Where have I seen Barbara Flynn before? You might have watched her in ITV's Kate & Koji and The Durrells, BBC's Cranford and Cracker with Robbie Coltrane.
Melina Sinadinou plays Zoe
Who is Zoe? Esther's teenage daughter. The pair have a loving relationship, but can clash on occasion.
Where have I seen Melina Sinadinou before? This is her biggest role to date.
Chris Jenks plays Josh Woods
Who is Josh Woods? He lives in Shipton Abbott and has been in trouble with the police on more than a few occasions.
Where have I seen Chris Jenks before? You might have watched him in Netflix comedy Sex Education and the second season of BBC thriller Vigil.
Jade Harrison plays Charlie Woods
Who is Charlie Woods? A chief superintendent who takes no prisoners.
Where have I seen Jade Harrison before? You might know her from Netflix's The Stranger, Disney Plus series Wedding Season and Hollyoaks.
Additional cast includes:
Eva Feiler (The Crown) as Lucy - a nurse who is in a relationship with Josh.
Beyond Paradise Christmas special guest cast
- Isaac Vincent-Norgate (Sanditon) as Ryan - a young boy who Kelby catches stealing a sausage roll. He claims his name is Rishi Sunak.
- James Fleet (The Vicar of Dibley) as Ernest - Ryan's grandad.
- Amalia Vitale (Endeavour) as Hannah Owen - a social worker whose house is broken into.
- Kulvinder Ghir (Still Open All Hours) as Frank - another Shipton Abbott resident who reports a break in.
- Sheila Reid (Benidorm) as Kathleen Jones - her house is also broken into.
Beyond Paradise season 2 will arrive in 2024. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on.
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