Death in Paradise will be making a return to screens this weekend when the Christmas Special hits screens, marking Don Gilet’s debut as the new Detective Inspector.
While fans fell in love with Ralf Little’s DI Neville Parker, the show is known for changing up its protagonist every few years, and EastEnders star Gilet is stepping into the tropical island role.
The actor has starred is several shows but is best-known for playing serial killer Lucas Johnson on BBC soap EastEnders, a role he has portrayed on and off since 2008.
However, it seems he had been awaiting a leading role in a drama for a while, which he made clear in his response to landing the part.
When asked what his initial reaction to the news was, the 57-year-old replied: “When I found out I felt this great sense of relief.
“This is what I’ve been craving. Then it was surprise: ‘Wow. Really, me?'”
After detailing his shocked three-word response, Gilet continued: “It’s a weird feeling for an actor when you get any job, no matter what role it is, because they like your craft and what you did in the audition.
“When I was in the room, there were four people to impress, and I managed to do it.
“It was a great reminder to me that, ‘yeah, you can still do this.’ It felt like a little personal air-punch-without-anyone-looking moment.”
The crime drama is filmed in the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, and when asked about adjusting to filming in the new climate, the actor told the BBC: “It’s intense because you’ve got that heat from the start to the end of the day.”
Don Gilet was announced as the new lead actor of Death in ParadiseBBC
He added: “It does get to a point where you are used to it, but it takes that extra layer of concentration.
“You can’t turn the temperature down, but it’s a beautiful backdrop to shoot against.
“Sometimes you have to pinch yourself and go look at where you are and what you’re doing. It’s a beautiful place.
“I haven’t had much of a chance to venture out to see just how beautiful it is yet.
“Once you get used to the temperature, it’s a great job!”
Gilet has also opened up about his character’s rocky start in the fictional Saint Marie.
Don Gilet reflected on his reaction to landing the Death in Paradise role
BBC
He recently confessed of his character: “He’s not really liked, to start with. He doesn’t wanna be there, doesn’t like the place, the pace of the place…
“All this is working against him and against his methods.”
“He doesn’t suffer fools gladly,” the actor continued. “He doesn’t have much patience, he’s a guy who doesn’t stand still.
“Everything needs to be happening like that, at the pace of London, and if it’s not, he gets impatient.”
Fans will be able to see for themselves how the new Detective Inspector’s arrival goes down with the others when Death In Paradise’s Christmas Special airs on Sunday.