Former Death in Paradise star warns 'there's a reason nobody stays on the show long'

Ardal O’Hanlon has shared a warning for new Death In Paradise star Don Gilet, describing the role as "gruelling" and difficult to sustain for more than a few years. O’Hanlon, who played DI Jack Mooney from 2017 to 2020, revealed he often worked 12-hour days, six days a week, during his time on the hit BBC drama.

Reflecting on his experience while promoting his upcoming stand-up tour, Not Himself, Ardal admitted that the intense filming schedule in Guadeloupe took a toll, both physically and mentally, reports the Mirror.

"God, that was tough. People don’t believe you when you tell them how challenging it is," he said. "I’m so grateful for the part—it was life-changing—but it’s not just about playing the lead in a popular show. It’s a complete lifestyle shift."

He explained the demands of the role: "Coming from a place where I barely leave the house to living outdoors for six months a year was such a radical change for me. It was gruelling because of the sheer workload. You’re constantly preparing, with little downtime to enjoy the surroundings. I was so jealous of the guest actors—they’d come for a week or two, spend a few days filming, and the rest of the time they were by the pool with cocktails. Meanwhile, I was working my arse off!"

Ardal revealed that producers had warned him about the challenging nature of the role before he started. "They told me, ‘You might last two or three years, but probably not four!’ The producer even painted a bleak picture before I flew out, saying, ‘You know, you can still back out of this.’ He warned about hurricanes, the isolating environment, and even the wildlife."

Ultimately, the toll extended beyond work. "After four summers, it began to affect things at home. My family stopped visiting me in Guadeloupe, and that was the real decider for leaving."

The actor and comedian, best known for his role in Father Ted, also spoke about his upcoming stand-up tour, which explores themes of identity.

"Comedy has become such a diverse platform now, with people discussing their identities—whether it’s race, gender, class, or religion. For me, I was always focused on crafting jokes with a surreal twist. But recently, I’ve been inspired by other comedians to reflect more on who I am, my upbringing, and how technology shapes our identities."

Ardal’s departure from Death In Paradise saw Ralf Little take over as DI Neville Parker, a role Little held for five years. Don Gilet is set to debut as the new lead, DI Mervin Wilson, in the upcoming Death In Paradise Christmas special.

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