Beyond Paradise season 3 sees more mysteries for DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) to crack in the hugely popular Death in Paradise spin-off. The series has now started on BBC One on Friday evenings with episodes being added weekly to BBC iPlayer.
The latest series and Christmas special drew in big audiences, with over seven million watching the opening episode as Humphrey finally got his chance to investigate his first murder in Shipton Abbott.
We saw him form a close bond with his team: DS Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi), Margo Martins (Felicity Montagu) and PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn). While Humphrey and Martha (Sally Bretton) talked of marriage (more of that later).
Kris Marshall sets up the series for us, including the first episode where Humphrey and Esther meet their Cornish counterparts. He says: "I loved Humphrey and Esther meeting their Cornish counterparts in the first episode — those characters are a lot of fun. I think that’s our co-creator and head writer Tony Jordan's nod to the fact that we film the show equally in Devon and Cornwall; up and down the Tamar Valley on both sides. The cases this time are classic Beyond Paradise — they're quite representative of the rural wildness and rugged beauty of the environment."
Here's everything we know, please note there are spoilers in the plot section if you've not watched all of the previous series...
Beyond Paradise season 3 release date
Beyond Paradise season 3 began on BBC One on Friday, March 28 at 8.00 pm, with episodes also being made available on BBC iPlayer. Episodes are being shown weekly on Friday nights. It will be available on BritBox in America, but we don't have a release date as yet.
Plot
OK, so the big question is will Humphrey and Martha actually get married? In the final episode of series two, the pair were meant to get hitched, but Martha's mum ended up being overbearing and organized a grander affair than the couple wanted.
So they decided not to get wed, with Humphrey asking Martha if she'd do him the honor of not marrying him today, and Martha telling him it would be a pleasure. So, this opens up various potential plot lines. Will the couple decide marriage isn't for them? Could they do a Death in Paradise tie-up and get hitched on Saint Marie? Weirdly the wedding wasn't even mentioned in the Christmas episode!
The BBC has revealed some plot details, with the biggie being that Jamie Bamber returns as Martha's ex Archie. Might Archie try and tempt Martha away from Humphrey again?
Teasing the new series, the BBC says: "The team faces a host of baffling cases in the upcoming series, including a body discovered in a river on the county border, a perplexing chocolate box poisoning, a long-standing farming feud, and a spiking incident at sea. Away from the police station, Martha and Humphrey must overcome unexpected hurdles as foster parents, while the reappearance of Martha’s old flame Archie presents an unexpected challenge. Meanwhile, Esther experiences a surprising twist in her personal life, Anne confronts painful memories following a health scare, and Kelby embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery."
What happens in episode 1?
When a body is found in a river on the county border between Devon and Cornwall, Humphrey and Esther are forced to work alongside their Cornish counterparts. While their rivals are quick to brush off the death as a tragic accident, Humphrey's instincts tell him there may be more lurking under the surface. Meanwhile, following the success of Ten Mile Kitchen, Martha decides to expand the business. However, just as everything seems settled, she and Humphrey are thrown an unexpected curveball.
What happens in episode 2?
When Kelby's old friend Emily becomes the target of threatening texts, the team tries to uncover the identity of the keyboard warrior. With Humphrey busy at home, Kelby steps up to help Esther with the investigation, facing endless potential suspects as they delve into the world of social media and online spats. Meanwhile, Humphrey and Martha have a rocky start as they welcome Rosie — their new foster child — into their home, new relations are formed as Esther finds herself in a surprising romantic entanglement, and Anne is rocked by a potential health scare.
What happens in episode 3?
A chocolatier falls under suspicion when three customers are poisoned after sampling her wares and Humphrey must explore every avenue to determine whether she orchestrated the attack or was framed. The mystery deepens as the team finds no trace of poison in the remaining chocolates and wonder how the perpetrator ensured the victims ate the right one. With public panic spreading across Shipton Abbott, the officers must work swiftly to uncover the culprit.
What happens in episode 4?
On the final day of the regatta, rival sailors Francine and Polly are neck and neck for the top spot. However, disaster strikes when Polly collapses and plunges into the sea, throwing the entire race into chaos.
When it's discovered that Polly's smoothie had been tampered with, all eyes turn to Martha, the smoothie-maker, who finds herself in the spotlight as an unlikely prime suspect. She and Humphrey, already juggling the demands of work and childcare, struggle to stay composed under this new pressure.
What happens in episode 5?
As the harvest ends, Stella and George Ellis follow their long-held tradition of hanging a corn doll to mark its close. However, this simple ritual takes a darker turn when the doll mysteriously falls and a figure dressed as the mythical Cornman strikes. With their milk ruined and their hay set ablaze, the Ellises are pushed to the brink.
Meanwhile, Martha and Humphrey embark on a new chapter as foster parents when Rosie begins her first day at Shipton Abbott Primary, while Anne takes a bold step to embrace life fully.
Cast
Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton star again. Also in the cast are Zahra Ahmadi (The Bay, Tracey Ullman's Show, EastEnders) as DS Esther Williams, Dylan Llewellyn (Big Boys, Derry Girls) as PC Kelby Hartford and Felicity Montagu (This Time with Alan Partridge, Landscapers, Vanity Fair) playing office support civilian, Margo Martins.
Jamie Bamber returns as Archie Hughes, Martha's old flame. The guest cast includes Hugh Dennis (Outnumbered) as local councillor Arthur Donelan, Steve Oram (DI Ray) and Gabby Best (Changing Ends) as Humphrey and Esther's Cornish policing counterparts, plus Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Caroline Quentin (Men Behaving Badly) as farming rivals George Ellis and Lotty Lewes.
Is there a trailer?
Yes, here you go!
Beyond Paradise season 3 behind the scenes and more
Created by Robert Thorogood and Tony Jordan, Beyond Paradise is a co-commission between the BBC and BritBox International and is produced by Red Planet Pictures, part of the Asacha Media Group company, which was recently acquired by Fremantle. Tony Jordan, Tim Key and Belinda Campbell are executive producers for Red Planet Pictures, Danielle Scott-Haughton for the BBC and Robert Schildhouse and Stephen Nye for BritBox International. Lindsay Hughes is producer.
Beyond Paradise is internationally distributed by BBC Studios, with series one and two successfully selling to 135 territories worldwide to date.
