Milestone MOMENT!

What to expect from a special episode to mark the sun-soaked crime drama's 100th episode...

- STEVEN PERKINS

DEATH IN PARADISE NEW SUNDAY, 9PM, BBC1 DRAMA 

Not many TV dramas make it to 100 episodes. But when BBC1's Caribbean-set whodunnit Death in Paradise returns for a 13th series this week, it reaches that magical milestone and marks the occasion with what is set to be a spectacular instalment featuring shocks, surprises and splendid nods to its heritage.

The story centres around fan favourite Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (played by original cast member Don Warrington), as he attends a dinner in his honour at the yacht club to celebrate 50 years of service with the police.

During the festivities, the Commissioner takes a moment of reflection outside on the jetty, but a mystery assailant sneaks up- and shoots him...

"This case is personal, so there's a real urgency to it,' says leading star Ralf Little, who joined the show as DI Neville Parker during Series 9 in 2020. 'It's incredibly important to the team that justice is served.'

TV Times brought the stars of the episode in for questioning about the case, and beyond...

AN OFFICER DOWN

Stunned by the attack, Neville and his loyal colleagues DS Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson), officer Marlon Pryce (Tahj Miles) and trainee officer Darlene Curtis (Ginny Holder) face an anxious wait for news on whether the Commissioner has survived.

'Neville and Naomi have a great working relationship, but, in this episode, they're really stressed,' explains Shantol, 31. 'With the Commissioner out, there's a lot more pressure on Neville to get this solved.' 'Each character is specific in their investment in solving the case,' adds Don, 72. 'You see how each of them cares. I thought that was really exciting.'