Fans are debating who will replace Ralf Little in Death in Paradise? as DI Neville Parker's time on Saint Marie looks close to ending after he revealed plans to leave the island at the end of episode 6 of Death in Paradise season 13. And we strongly believe Josephine Jobert should take over as the lead as Florence!
Neville has been on an emotional rollercoaster, but has come to the conclusion that Saint Marie is too small an island to find love on.
He declared: "This is a small island, Naomi, it's full of ghosts, for me. Florence, Sophie, Rebecca, what are the chances of me finding love again here?"
Ralf is now the longest-serving leading man on the show, having clocked up more than 30 episodes as Neville, which again adds to the sense he might be leaving during Death in Paradise season 13. So who might replace him?
Josephine Jobert
It was revealed in the final moments of episode 6 of the current series that Josephine Jobert is returning to the show as DS Florence Cassell. This of course may give Neville a reason to stay, or it could equally encourage him even more to depart Saint Marie as she previously rejected him romantically.
But whenever Neville does leave Florence would be our choice to take over as the leading character. It would bring a whole new dynamic to the show if a detective came over from the UK as the deputy rather than the lead detective. The show feels like it could do with a bit of a refresh having clocked up over 100 episodes and what better way to do that than to make Florence the lead? It would also make sense in terms of her career. She has the right experience and has proved herself more than capable.
Perhaps a young officer could come over from the UK and Florence could mentor him/or her? Every show needs to reinvent itself once in a while and this feels right. Look at how successful Shetland's been with Ashley Jensen taking over lead detective duties from Douglas Henshall.
Martin Clunes
if it can't be Josephine Jobert, then what about Martin Clunes? He has now finished Doc Martin (above) and he'd bring the right mix of humour and drama to the show. We could just imagine him on Saint Marie, cracking cases!
Simon Bird
The Inbetweeners star has emerged as a possible to take over from Ralf. Simon, who’s also starred in Friday Night Dinner and Everyone Else Burns, looks an obvious fit for Death in Paradise. We could imagine him being similar to Humphrey in having that chaotic style while being a brilliant cop.
Diane Morgan
The Mandy and Cunk on Earth star has also been linked to the series. Death in Paradise is yet to have a female lead and Diane would certianly be an unsual choice. Something about her part in Motherland suggests she’d bring a delicious dry wit to the part and it could see Death in Paradise go in a slighty different direction.
Matthew Horne
Matthew Horne has actually already been in Death in Paradise, appearing during Ben Miller's time on the show. However, Ralf Little was also previously in the show before being cast as the lead, so that won’t stop him from having a shout. The Gavin & Stacey star almost seems too similar to Ralf though and perhaps the makers will want to shake things up a bit more.
Romesh Ranganathan
The comedian obviously has the humour for the part, but would the makers want to go such an obvious comedy route? Perhaps after all the recent drama the show needs some comedy!
Jodie Whittaker
Jodie Whittaker would seem in many ways perfect for the part, displaing a mix of humour and mad genius in Doctor Who. Having now left Doctor Who, might it be the perfect time for Jodie?
