Longing for a Familiar Face on Saint Marie
Viewers of the popular crime drama Death in Paradise are vocalizing a strong desire for the return of a beloved character who departed the series in its seventh season back in 2017. The exit of this particular officer occurred two detective inspector changes ago, highlighting the show’s evolving leadership.
A Shifting Command on the Island
For context, Detective Inspector Jack Mooney, portrayed by Ardal O’Hanlon, helmed the precinct from season six through the middle of season nine. He was succeeded by DI Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little, who became the longest-serving inspector, holding the position until season thirteen. The current lead detective, Mervin Wilson, portrayed by Don Gilet, took charge at the beginning of season fourteen.
Dwayne Myers: The “Most Important Officer”?
Despite the introduction of a new detective inspector leading an established team that includes DS Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson), Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah), and Sergeant Mattie Fletcher (Catherine Garton), fans are clamoring for the reappearance of Officer Dwayne Myers, played by Danny John-Jules. This character, now frequently referred to as the “most important officer” by dedicated viewers, left the island of Saint Marie to undertake the challenging journey of reconciling with his estranged father, Nelson.
Fan Sentiment and Speculation
Discussions on online forums reveal a deep appreciation for Dwayne’s unique contributions. One commentator on a popular discussion board asserted, “Dwayne is the most important officer that has been on DIP. He knows everyone, knows all the shady places and people. He knows the area to go to that people just won’t think about it. He was Saint Marie and the total package.”
Hopeful fans have also speculated about his potential return, with one suggesting, “His last stint on the show wasn’t good, he was just ended being a caricature of himself. I still think he’s an ideal replacement for when Selwyn eventually leaves, if they can give him some gravitas. Maybe he comes back a more serious man after his father’s passing. Still has a bit of a silly side, but much more toned down than previously.” Another fan fondly recalled, “My favourite Dwayne knowledge was that he knew where you can buy a rare frog venom from.” The sentiment of missing the character was palpable, with one user stating, “I can’t even be a little mad that he made a personal choice to leave the show, but damn it, I miss Dwayne!”
Actor’s Reasons for Departure and Subsequent Ventures
Danny John-Jules, the actor behind Dwayne Myers, previously explained his decision to leave the series stemmed from a desire to pursue other artistic avenues. He conveyed to a television publication, “I left Death in Paradise because I wanted to get back on stage. I needed a bit more razzmatazz in my life, and then along came Strictly!” He added, “I haven’t done a [stage] show for more than 20 years, so this is as close as I’m going to get to doing the jazz hands again. I’ve also been working on my one-man show about Sammy Davis Jnr, that’s why I’m always wearing a bowler hat!”
Since his departure from the island drama, John-Jules participated in the 2018 season of Strictly Come Dancing, where he was partnered with Amy Dowden. Following his elimination in the seventh round of the competition, the actor has remained active in theatre, appearing in productions such as I’ve Gotta Be Me, The Da Vinci Code, and Shrek the Musical.
