Filming has commenced on the first Christmas special and second series of the BBC's hugely successful crime drama Beyond Paradise. Co-commissioned with BritBox International and coming to BBC One and iPlayer, fans will be eager to see what’s next for Humphrey and Martha following their make-or-break trip to Saint Marie at the end of the last series.

Series one of Beyond Paradise became the UK’s most successful new drama launch of the year so far, averaging 8 million viewers, when it made its debut on BBC One and iPlayer earlier this year.

The Christmas special episode and second series will see the return of Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman, Sally Bretton as Martha Lloyd, Zahra Ahmadi as DS Esther Williams, Dylan Llewellyn as PC Kelby Hartford, Barbara Flynn as Anne Lloyd and Felicity Montagu as Margo Martins.

Filmed in picturesque locations around South-West England in Devon and Cornwall, the new series features the same joyful escapism, humour and mind-boggling cases fans have come to adore since series one. Shipton Abbott’s new detective inspector will be tasked with solving a shocking crime on a steam train, an arson attack predicted by a medium and the baffling disappearance of the local fishing legend.

Kris Marshall says “I'm beyond excited to have begun filming the second series of Beyond Paradise. 'Shipton Abbott' is such a wonderful location to call home for a while and it's a delight to join up with my fellow police team for another batch of weird and wonderful cases, and to see what's in store for Humphrey and Martha in the next chapter of their lives.”

Sally Bretton adds: “Series one of Beyond Paradise was such a joy to be a part of and I'm ecstatic to have returned to what already feels like a second home in Shipton Abbott. I can't wait for audiences to see what we have planned - the second series is set to be brilliant!”

Tim Key, Executive Producer, Red Planet Pictures says: “We were delighted with how quickly the audience took Beyond Paradise to their hearts and over the moon to be back for more. Our fantastic cast and crew are hard at work to bring another series of humour, heart and of course some properly puzzling cases to audiences, all set against the beauty of Devon and Cornwall - and of course to let everyone experience Shipton Abbott at Christmas!”

Danielle Scott-Haughton, Commissioning Editor for BBC Drama says: “The huge success of Beyond Paradise’s first series was a joy to see, and the new run of episodes has everything that made so many of us fall in love with it - and a whole lot more. Humphrey, Martha and the residents of Shipton Abbott really were only just getting started!”

Reemah Sakaan, CEO BritBox International says: “Beyond Paradise has delivered on the promise that we saw in it from the beginning, quickly building a strong fanbase across our international markets with its endearing characters, gripping mysteries and stunning backdrop. With the strength of our cast and creative team, and our successful partnership with the BBC and Red Planet Pictures, we know that the series’ many fans across our markets are in for another treat when Beyond Paradise returns.”

Created by Robert Thorogood and Tony Jordan, the second series of Beyond Paradise is a co-commission between the BBC and BritBox International and is produced by Red Planet Pictures, part of the Asacha Media Group. The Christmas special will air in the 2023 festive season, whilst series two will land next year.

Founder and Executive Chairman of Red Planet Pictures, Tony Jordan, will act as showrunner, leading a team of writers working across the new 6x60 series and Christmas special. Tony Jordan, Tim Key and Belinda Campbell are executive producers for Red Planet Pictures, Danielle Scott-Haughton for BBC and Reemah Sakaan and Stephen Nye for BritBox International. Lindsay Hughes will be producing. BBC Studios handle international distribution for both series one and two.

The first series of Beyond Paradise is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on BritBox International in North America, Nordic markets and in South Africa.