KRIS MARSHALL 'COLIN IS GLOBAL'

As he steps back into the shoes of DI Humphrey Goodman, the star reflects on the Love Actually role that has stayed with him for more than two decades

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Kris Marshall has a knack for playing extremely popular characters. More than 20 years ago, among an ensemble cast bursting with A-listers, he managed to steal the spotlight as lovable larrikin Colin “God of Sex” Frissell in perennial Christmas favourite Love Actually. A cultural phenomenon, the film has become an enduring cult classic.

And the hits kept coming. Among his other beloved characters are quirky DI Humphrey Goodman - a role he established in Death In Paradise in 2014 that proved so popular it spawned its own spin-off series with 2023's Beyond Paradise.

Woman's Day sat down with Kris, 52, during a recent whirlwind trip Down Under to talk season three secrets, a potential Aussie cameo and what it's like to be a cultural phenomenon.

What can you reveal about what's in store for Humphrey and co. in season three of Beyond Paradise?

There's a sort of confidence in the show, we've really found our place in the ether and I think audiences can expect more great puzzles running alongside some heartfelt stuff, a bit of comedy, a little slapstick in there.

Humphrey and Martha (Sally Bretton) are fostering nine-year-old Rosie (Bella Rei Blue Stevenson), but her placement is only temporary. How hard is it going to be when they presumably have to part ways?