Death in Paradise boss warns there’ll be a ‘difficult’ shake-up after series 10 & admits ‘we need to do better’

DEATH in Paradise’s boss has warned there will be a ‘difficult’ shake-up after series 10 and admitted ‘we need to do better’.

The BBC crime drama returned for its 10th series last week, with Ralf Little back as DI Neville Parker.

He is joined on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie by a diverse cast including Josephine Jobert, Don Warrington and Tobi Bakare, but Executive Producer Tim Key has revealed more can be done when it comes to diversity.

He said: “All of the conversations that have been happening this year we want to be part of those conversations and we are part of those conversations.

“Without wanting to sound sort of corny about it I really have been doing a huge amount of talking and listening this year and trying to think where can we do better but also where can the industry do better.”

Tim revealed a large percentage of the crew are natives to Guadeloupe, where the show is filmed, but after some have moved on to work in other countries, the show faces the added hurdle of getting people on board who are happy to be away from home months on end.

He explained: “We have the added difficulty of having to persuade people to come away for five or six months and work abroad.

“We’re looking at shadow schemes and increasing our efforts in that regard to make sure that we can be as diverse in terms of our production team and especially our heads of departments as we are in terms of the crew and our cast.

“There are a lot more that we need to do and a lot more conversations that need to be had, but I’m very pleased that those conversations are taking place.”

Death in Paradise is known for its endless supply of guest stars, which this series includes Jason Manford, Kelvin Fletcher and Patrick Robinson.

Tim said: “Obviously in terms of the guest cast to come through it’s a hugely diverse guest cast.

“I think in terms of the bigger picture you know as an industry there’s just an enormous amount that still needs to be done.”

Death in Paradise continues on Thursday, January 14 at 9pm on BBC One.