BBC has released first-look pictures from the highly anticipated second series of Return to Paradise, Australia’s hit spin-off of the global hit Death in Paradise. Coming soon to BBC iPlayer and BBC One, the 6x60 series sees Detective Sergeant Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson) still trapped in her hometown of Dolphin Cove to solve more perplexing cases, while grappling with the end-of-series-one bombshell that her ex-fiancé, Glenn (Tai Hara), still has feelings for her.
The new images reveal Detective Sergeant Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Clarke back on the case in Dolphin Cove, joined by Glenn and Senior Constable Colin Cartwright (Lloyd Griffith) in the lab as they examine a key piece of evidence in their latest investigation. Mackenzie’s attempts to ignore Glenn’s wedding are challenged as Colin helps to arrange his stag party, while Glenn and Mackenzie are hard at work analysing forensics together at a new crime scene.
Series regulars also returning to the Australian beachside town are Catherine McClements (Senior Sergeant Philomena Strong), Celia Ireland (Reggie Rocco), Aaron L. McGrath (Constable Felix Wilkinson) and Andrea Demetriades (Daisy Dixon). Each episode will feature a host of popular Aussie screen guest stars, including Danielle Cormack, Meyne Wyatt, Roz Hammond, Justine Clarke, Michelle Lim Davidson, Greg Stone, Zoe Carides, Simon Lyndon and Miah Madden. Tim Rogers, the iconic lead singer of rock legends You Am I also guest stars, and Ardal O’Hanlon reprises his role as the much-loved Death in Paradise detective, DI Jack Mooney.
The team contend with even more perplexing cases this series, including the chemical poisoning of a man alone at sea, alongside having to deal with larger-than-life characters like a troublesome rock band who fall under suspicion when one of their members turns up dead.
Beyond her detective duties, Mackenzie is forced to face Glenn’s shocking confession that he still has feelings for her, despite his impending wedding to Daisy, complicating her own feelings toward him even further. Meanwhile, the unexpected arrival of Colin’s old friends from back home starts to crack the mystery behind his decision to leave everything behind and build a new life in the tight-knit community of Dolphin Cove.
Return to Paradise is produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia and Red Planet Pictures. The series is co-created and executive-produced by Peter Mattessi, James Hall and Robert Thorogood. The series is written by Peter Mattessi, Alexandra Cullen, Alexandra Collier, Chelsea Cassio and Marisa Nathar and directed by Tenika Smith and Helena Brooks. Diane Haddon is producer. Executive producers for BBC Studios Productions Australia are Sophia Zachariou and Kylie Washington, for Red Planet Pictures are Belinda Campbell and Tim Key and for ABC are Brett Sleigh and Rachel Okine.
BBC Studios, who handle global sales, has now licensed Return to Paradise to over 93 territories across the globe. The second series of Return to Paradise will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK. The first series which won the Silver Logie for Best Drama at the Australian 2025 Logie Awards, is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer. (Photo credit: John Platt)