April 9 - Filming has commenced on Return to Paradise, Australia’s original spin-off series of the global smash-hit murder mystery franchise Death in Paradise.

Filming in various locations across Sydney and the idyllic Illawarra coastal region, the intriguing and entertaining whodunit 6-part series will have a distinctively Australian flair, while playing homage to the ‘Paraverse’. The series is produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia with Red Planet Pictures for the ABC in association with the BBC, who will screen the series on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK.

Taking charge as the franchise’s first lead female detective is Anna Samson (Dead Lucky, Wake in Fright, Jack Irish) as Mackenzie Clarke. Unravelling the murder mysteries alongside Anna is the exciting ensemble cast of Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso, Nolly), Tai Hara (Home and Away, Colin From Accounts, Austin), Catherine McClements (Total Control, Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries), Celia Ireland (Wentworth, Total Control), Andrea Demetriades (Mother and Son, The Artful Dodger) and Aaron McGrath (Gold Diggers, Preppers).

Return to Paradise follows DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson), an Australian ex-pat who’s made a name for herself in London’s Metropolitan Police for cracking uncrackable murder cases. When she is accused of tampering with evidence, Mackenzie returns to Australia, back to the last place she ever wanted to be – her hometown of Dolphin Cove. Having fled the town six years ago, infamously leaving her ex- fiancée Glenn (Tai Hara) at the altar, Mackenzie is not welcome there.

But with no other job options, and a unique talent for solving a mystery, no matter how challenging, a reluctant Mack joins the team at Dolphin Cove Police Station. Once a case lands on her desk, she can’t rest until she’s figured it out, and the killer is in handcuffs. It’s that tenacity and work ethic that might just, over time, help Mackenzie win over her new colleagues, and the people of Dolphin Cove.

Co-Creator and Executive Producer Peter Mattessi says: “I’m beyond excited to welcome Producer Di Haddon and our two fabulous directors Mat King and Tenika Smith who are coming together with our amazing cast to bring the world of Return to Paradise to life. We are having so much fun creating this brand-new mystery series that brings an Australian twist to one of the globe’s most successful television franchises. We think audiences in Australia, UK and around the world are going to fall in love with our wonderful characters, our delicious whodunits, and our gorgeous coastal Australian locations.”

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 producer is Di Haddon. Executive producers for BBC Studios Productions Australia are Kylie Washington and Warren Clarke, for Red Planet Pictures are Belinda Campbell and Tim Key and for ABC are Rachel Okine and Brett Sleigh.

Return to Paradise will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on ABC and ABC iview later this year in Australia. It will be distributed globally by BBC Studios.