Death in Paradise's Ralf Little reacts to making show history

"It's really, really fulfilling and flattering to have been able to do it for as long as I have."

By Stefania Sarrubba

20 Dec 2022

BBC

Death in Paradise star Ralf Little is officially the longest-serving detective on the show, with four series and two specials to his name.

The actor, who plays DI Neville Parker, has said that making history with his character has been "fulfilling and flattering".

"I think it's really, really fulfilling and flattering to have been able to do it for as long as I have," Little told Hello! Magazine.

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For comparison, Love Actually's Kris Marshall and Derry Girls' Ardal O'Hanlon played Humphrey Goodman and Jack Mooney for four series each. The first detective, Ben Miller, starred on the show as Richard Poole for two series.

Little continued: "Like Neville, I joked about him having his feet under the table but still having his challenges, this is a challenging job. It is beautiful, but it does have its challenges."

While the job comes with some minor inconveniences, such as filming in hot temperatures in Guadeloupe, Little wouldn't have it any other way.

"It's exhausting. It's physically demanding. It's relentless in terms of every day you're out there and it's hot and tiring and mentally tiring. Like when you work hard. We do. But I just love it."

death in paradise 2022 christmas special

BBC

Little first appeared on series 9 of Death in Paradise, released in 2020. Dividing his time in between the UK and the US, the actor explained he spends a large portion of his year in Guadeloupe to the point the island is "fully home".

"This island is fully home for me now as well, because I spend so much time between England and America as well in my actual life because of my other half, by a huge margin the place I spend most time at during the year now is Guadeloupe so this is more my home than anywhere, and I just love it."

Death in Paradise returns on Boxing Day on BBC One followed by series 12 from January 6, 2023. A spin-off, Beyond Paradise, is in production.