Some characters become so woven into a story's fabric that even their absence carries presence. Sara Martins, who helped birth BBC's Death in Paradise as DS Camille Bordey, has not closed the door on returning to the sun-drenched detective series, even as it prepares a new chapter with a new lead this Christmas. Speaking with characteristic warmth, she offered the timeless answer of anyone who loves something they've stepped away from: never say never. The show, now entering its next era with DI Mervin Wilson, continues to leave room for the past to revisit the present.
Sara Martins leaves door open for Death in Paradise return
I feel like I will be Camille for the rest of my life.
Mark
So Sara Martins isn't ruling out a return. What's the actual likelihood here—is this just polite hedging, or is there real possibility?
Mimi
It sounds genuine, actually. She's been away from the main action for a while now, appearing only in brief moments. But the show's structure allows for it. Camille has a life outside the police force now, which means she can pop in when the story needs her.
Luke
But here's what we don't know: has anyone at the BBC actually approached her about coming back, or is she just saying she'd be open to it if they did? Those are very different things.
Mark
Fair point. So when she says "no plans," that could mean anything from "they haven't called" to "we're in early talks."
Mimi
Right. And the timing matters too. A new lead detective is taking over at Christmas. That's a big shift. Bringing back an original cast member too soon might muddy the transition.
Luke
Exactly. The show needs to establish Don Gilet's DI Mervin as the anchor first. Camille's absence actually serves that purpose.
Mark
What about her new role in Those About to Die—does that make a Death in Paradise return less likely?
Mimi
Not necessarily. Actors juggle multiple projects all the time. But it does suggest her focus is elsewhere right now, which is honest.
Luke
And we should note: she's comparing her two characters as if they're cut from the same cloth. That's interesting casting insight, but it doesn't tell us anything about whether she'll actually return to the show.
Mark
So the headline is really just: she hasn't said no. That's the whole story.
Mimi
That's it. She's left the possibility open, but there's nothing concrete behind it yet.
Il Polso
- Death in Paradise is undergoing its most significant transition yet, with Don Gilet stepping in as DI Mervin Wilson on Boxing Day 2024 — a new face carrying the weight of a beloved formula.
- Fans of the original cast are left wondering whether familiar figures like Camille Bordey will survive the changeover or quietly fade from the island's memory.
- Martins has laughed off the idea of a permanent farewell, noting that producers have surprised her before — her goodbyes have a habit of not sticking.
- For now, her attention is fixed on ancient Rome: she leads Prime Video's Those About to Die as Cala, premiering July 19th, a world away from the Caribbean.
- The door to Guadeloupe remains ajar — no plans confirmed, no plans denied — leaving Camille's return a matter of story, timing, and the right invitation.
Some characters become so woven into a story's fabric that even their absence carries presence. Sara Martins, who helped birth BBC's Death in Paradise as DS Camille Bordey, has not closed the door on returning to the sun-drenched detective series, even as it prepares a new chapter with a new lead this Christmas. Speaking with characteristic warmth, she offered the timeless answer of anyone who loves something they've stepped away from: never say never. The show, now entering its next era with DI Mervin Wilson, continues to leave room for the past to revisit the present.
Sara Martins was there at the very beginning of Death in Paradise, shaping the show's identity as DS Camille Bordey alongside a succession of British detectives dropped into the Caribbean sun. Though her character has since settled into quieter domestic life, she has never fully disappeared — most recently surfacing via video call to offer guidance to DI Neville Parker. The show's storytelling has always left a thread back to Camille, and Martins seems content to let it dangle.
When asked whether her latest cameo might be her last, she was characteristically unbothered. She's said goodbye before, she noted, only for producers to return with something worth coming back for. "I can never say never," she told Express.co.uk. "I feel like I will be Camille for the rest of my life. So, it's a maybe." A return alongside incoming lead DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, seems unlikely this Christmas, but future storylines could easily draw her back.
In the meantime, Martins is stepping into entirely different territory. She takes a leading role in Those About to Die, a Prime Video series set in ancient Rome, playing Cala — a resilient mother navigating a brutal world. She sees a quiet kinship between Cala and Camille: both strong, adaptive women with moral clarity at their core, separated only by centuries and circumstance.
Death in Paradise's new era begins Boxing Day 2024. The show has always known how to evolve while holding onto what made it work. Whether Martins eventually steps back into Camille's shoes remains genuinely open — but her refusal to rule it out entirely keeps the possibility alive, waiting for the right story to call her home.
Sara Martins, who shaped Death in Paradise from its opening episode as DS Camille Bordey, is keeping the door cracked open for a return to the BBC detective series, even as the show prepares to hand its lead role to a new character this Christmas.
Martins was there at the beginning, working alongside Ben Miller's DI Richard Poole and later Kris Marshall's DI Humphrey Goodman. She remained central to the show's identity for years, and though her character has since stepped back from active duty—now settled into domestic life with a child—the actress has continued to pop up occasionally. Most recently, she appeared via video call to offer guidance to current lead DI Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little. The show's narrative architecture has left room for Camille to resurface whenever the story calls for it.
When asked directly whether her latest cameo might be her last, Martins laughed off the notion. Speaking to Express.co.uk, she acknowledged the pattern: she's said goodbye before, only to have producers circle back with a new idea worth exploring. "I can never say never," she explained. "No plans for another appearance, but who knows? I love the show, I'm still connected to it. And I'm still grateful. I feel like I will be Camille for the rest of my life. So, it's a maybe!" A Christmas return alongside the incoming DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, seems unlikely in the immediate term, but future storylines could easily draw her back into cases unfolding under the tropical sun.
Martins is currently focused on new work. She's taking a leading role in Those About to Die, a Prime Video series set in ancient Rome, premiering July 19th. She plays Cala, a determined mother navigating a world vastly different from the Caribbean island where Camille works. Yet Martins sees a throughline in the characters themselves. Both Camille and Cala are strong, intelligent women who adapt to their circumstances. "Obviously in very different times, but probably Camille would have behaved the same in Cala's situation," Martins reflected. The core of each character—resilience, capability, moral clarity—remains consistent even as the settings and stakes shift entirely.
Death in Paradise's transition is already underway. Don Gilet's DI Mervin Wilson will make his debut on Boxing Day 2024, marking the start of a new chapter for the long-running series. The show has proven it can evolve its central cast while maintaining the formula viewers have come to expect. Whether Martins will eventually step back into Camille's shoes remains genuinely uncertain—she's made clear there are no current plans—but her refusal to close that door entirely suggests the possibility remains alive, waiting for the right story to pull her back.
Citazioni salienti
I can never say never. No plans for another appearance, but who knows? I love the show, I'm still connected to it.— Sara Martins to Express.co.uk
Vuoi la storia completa?
Leggi l'originale su Devon Live ↗
Media & Entertainment