Why is Death in Paradise so popular?

As the sun sets on the seventh series of Death in Paradise, we can see the long-running crime drama has enjoyed yet another successful run on the BBC with a new lead actor at the helm. Yet, despite raking in an average of 6.2 million viewers per episode, critics remain perennially baffled by the show’s long-standing success. Almost every aspect of it has been lampooned, from the predictable episodic structure, the island setting, the acting, the murderous plotlines – even poor Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell’s shorts have come under fire. But what the critics are really missing is that audiences aren’t always seeking an adventurous, challenging drama. Death in Paradise is essentially a great package holiday of a TV show: a gorgeous island setting, a cheap, cheerful and well-organised storyline, and a lovable motley crew of recurring characters.

In spite of the show’s predictive nature being thoroughly criticised, its formulaic structure has been instrumental in its global success. It set up audience expectations straight away in its very first episode and, 56 episodes later, viewers still tune in knowing exactly what awaits them – a fairly tame, if slightly melodramatic murder, comedy capers around St Marie as the Honoré Police Department attempt to solve said murder, with a disparaging comment or two from the steely-eyed Commissioner (Don Warrington) and a frisson of romantic interest, before the detective has a sudden brain-wave that lets him crack the case, allowing him to expose the killer in a Poirot-style gathering of all the suspects, leaving everything wrapped up in time for a drink at Catherine’s Bar.

How Death in Paradise has managed to make as a dark a topic as murder a pleasurable viewing experience is impressive

The show’s cast has dramatically changed over the last few series, as various different roles have been refilled over the years. Ardal O’Hanlon is the latest reincarnation of the bumbling ‘fish-out-of-water’ detective, sprinkling the island with an affable Irish charm, supported by indomitable female sergeant Florence (Joséphine Jobert) who serves as a cool, collected foil to the DI’s more unconventional ways. Even with the frequent shake-ups, however, the show is saved by its sense of familiarity in its overarching roles – the seemingly hapless yet genius detective, his female second-in-command, and a sweet and hardworking junior policeman (seen in Tobi Bakare’s endearing Officer JP Hooper). These are set alongside the longstanding familiar face of Officer Dwayne Myers, (Danny John-Jules) whose roguish charm has never ceased to delight audiences (and the ladies of Saint Marie) for all seven series.

How Death in Paradise has managed to make as a dark a topic as murder a pleasurable viewing experience is impressive, but it is also no mystery. By inserting a healthy dose of humour into each episode, the banter and relationship between the recurring cast takes the front seat, while the particulars of the case are always far more interesting than the shady handful of British expats who make up the prime suspects. After all, there is never much time to form an emotional attachment to any of the victims or the suspects, as all the murdering usually takes place in the first five minutes, and is immediately followed by the upbeat reggae opening credits.

It’s also a departure from the gritty Nordic-Noir crime dramas that have sprung up on our screens in recent years. It instead fills a gap left by old favourites like Miss Marple or Rosemary and Thyme by hitting a note that is more Midsomer Murders on Holiday than Happy Valley. It might not be ground-breaking drama, but it’s easy, comforting telly: a welcome injection of Vitamin D in the otherwise bleak post-Christmas period.

While other crime dramas relish in shocking their audience with gore and gratuitous violence, the special effects department on Saint Marie clearly doesn’t stretch beyond a bit of fake blood. The murders themselves are somehow reassuringly uninventive – shootings, stabbings and poisonings are the go-to methods, with the occasional victim pushed off a balcony to shake things up a bit.

So if your holiday budget doesn’t stretch to a trip to Guadeloupe, the beautiful island where the show is filmed, then Death in Paradise is a sure fire way to brighten up your winter without the air fare.