If you thought that DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall, Love Actually) and his fiancée Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton, Not Going Out) were destined to live a quiet life in the picturesque town of Shipton Abbott then you can think again. That’s right. This Death In Paradise spin-off is back for a second series that promises more drama and puzzling crimes to decode than ever before. 

From a death on a steam train to an arson attack predicted by a medium (which may sound familiar to enthusiasts of the “cosy crime” genre) , Humphrey and his team – including DS Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi, The Bay), PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn, Big Boys) and Margo Martins (Felicity Montagu, Hullraisers) – have their work cut out. Even more so with a threat from Police HQ to close the local station and leave them jobless. Yikes.

And if that wasn’t enough pressure for the endearingly awkward Humphrey, after a rocky patch with Martha that saw them temporarily break off their engagement, the pair are back together and exploring becoming foster parents. “They’re fun and they have so much love and emotional support to give to a foster child because of the journey they’ve been on with IVF,” says Marshall about his character. Aw!

If you missed the first run, it’s the story of what happened after Humphrey left the tropical island of Saint Marie to move to Martha’s Devon hometown, where the happy couple dreamed of a fresh start together. He soon joined the local police and proved that you can teach an old dog new tricks, bringing his trademark sleuthing skills to a sleepy coastal town where baffling cases lurk around every corner. 

Returning for the second series alongside the main cast are Barbara Flynn as Anne Lloyd, Jade Harrison as CS Charlie Woods, Melina Sinadinou as Zoe and of course, the series’ runaway star Selwyn the Duck!

And this series will bring fantastic guest stars to the picturesque Devonshire coast including Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Kevin Bishop (Star Stories), Carolyn Pickles (Sister Boniface Mysteries), Paul Bradley (Holby City), Jayde Adams (Alma’s Not Normal), Souad Faress (Signora Volpe) and more.  

Series 1 of Beyond Paradise was the UK’s most watched new drama of last year – and  we can’t wait to see what is in store for the residents of Shipton Abbott. Don’t miss any of their escapades, starting Friday 22 March at 8pm on BBC One HD (CH 101).

Can’t get enough of those cosy crime comedy dramas? Us neither. Like a cup of tea or queuing, there’s nothing more British than solving grisly murders in an idyllic setting as delightful capers unfold all around. 

In fact, this genre has birthed some of TV’s greatest super sleuths including Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme, Father Brown and the grandmother of the genre, Miss Marple herself. Find out which series you should be investigating next and let the crime-solving commence!

Find series 1-4 in On Demand now

Fabulous fashion throughout? Check. Gorgeous Cotswolds setting? Check. A hilarious sidekick to keep the lols coming? Check. Solving crime has never been so glamorous, as PR guru Agatha Raisin (Ashley Jensen) swaps her stilettos for the sticks to solve murders with her BFF Roy Silver (Mathew Horne), including the mystery behind “the quiche of death”.

Find series 1-4 in Apps > BBC iPlayer now

Frank Hathaway (Mark Benton) and Luella Shakespeare (Jo Joyner) take centre stage as a quirky crime-fighting duo cleaning up the mean streets of er, Stratford-upon-Avon. And if the offbeat premise isn’t enough to hook you in then the duo’s supporting act – RADA-trained actor Sebastian Brudenell (Patrick Walshe McBride), who uses his skills for undercover missions – will be.

Find series 1 + 2 in On Demand now

This popular spin-off from Father Brown might just be the cosiest and most comical crime drama on our screens. Lorna Watson stars as a moped-riding, wine-making nun who doesn’t show murderers any mercy, thanks to her PhD in forensic science, an addiction to popular detective fiction and a fully equipped crime lab in her convent. Talk about a shrewd sister!

Find series 1 in On Demand now

While most people join local clubs to make friends or get fit, these three very different women (played by Jo Martin, Samantha Bond and Cara Horgan) prefer a more unusual pastime: sleuthing – and they’re taking to the next level. This new two-parter certainly has crime-thwarting credentials, having been adapted from Death In Paradise creator Robert Thorogood’s novel.

Find series 1-3 in On Demand now

Comedy royalty Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson are giving Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson absolutely nothing to worry about as dauntless detectives Terry and Gemma. These former coach tour operators turned private investigators always find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, but they always manage to crack their cases such as hunting for a bus-based killer and a poisoned pastry scandal between rival bakeries. It’s a whodunnit hoot from start to finish.

Find series 1-2 in On Demand now

Antiques dealer Jean White (Sally Lindsay) swaps the rolling Cheshire countryside for sun, sea and foul play in this jetsetting murder mystery series. When Jean travels to the fictional Sainte Victoire to unravel the truth behind her husband’s death, her nosy nature leads her to solve some of the crimes that plague her neighbours. Plus, there’s an ensemble roster of guest stars including Paul O’Grady, Les Dennis, Tony Robinson and even a Chuckle brother!  

When is Beyond Paradise series 2 on TV?

You can watch the second series of Beyond Paradise from Friday 22 March at 8pm on BBC One HD (CH 101) and via Apps > BBC iPlayer. New episodes will be released every Friday at 8pm thereafter. 

You can also catch the first series of Beyond Paradise as well as series 1-13 of Death In Paradise now on Apps > BBC iPlayer.