Death in Paradise Season 15: What’s Going Wrong, What Fans Are Saying, and What Needs to Change
Death in Paradise is in its 15th season, and for the first time in a long time, long-time fans aren't happy. People who’ve been with the show for a decade or more are now asking: what happened? Where’s the charm? The mystery? The warmth?
It’s not just nitpicking. The tone of this season feels off, the writing uneven, and the show’s signature balance between murder mystery and light comedy? Pretty much gone. Let’s walk through the real issues people are bringing up, what’s actually happening on-screen, and what the creators need to fix before Season 16.
The Humor Is Missing—and That’s a Big Deal
One of the most common complaints showing up on Reddit and across fan forums: Season 15 is missing its heart. Or, more specifically, its humor.
The show used to blend grisly murder with warm, goofy characters and gently absurd island moments. That balance made it unique. It gave Death in Paradise an identity. You could count on a moment of levity in every episode, even when someone had been killed 10 minutes earlier.
But this season? Not so much.
Many fans feel the latest episodes have become too heavy. The writing leans hard into drama without balancing it out. There’s less character banter. Fewer funny exchanges. Even Commissioner Selwyn’s dry wit—which has long been a highlight—feels toned down.
This tonal shift didn’t go unnoticed. A Redditor put it plainly: “This season lacks levity.” Others chimed in, agreeing that the fun factor has dropped and characters aren’t interacting in the same warm, humorous way they used to.
Ralf Little's Exit Is Still Looming—and It Shows
Another factor likely contributing to the disjointed feel? Ralf Little's slow, dragging exit arc.
While the show hasn’t officially revealed when Neville Parker (Ralf’s character) is leaving, the writing is clearly preparing for it. His character’s been put through emotional wringers, love life dead-ends, and now he’s mostly in reflective mode. That’s fine in moderation. But fans are noticing that the energy around Neville has deflated.
To be clear: Ralf Little has been one of the more successful detectives in the show’s recent history. He brought something different—an awkward, relatable, slightly neurotic take on the classic DI—but Season 15 has spent more time winding him down than building up new dynamics.
There’s been speculation that Ralf’s goodbye could come in the 100th episode. If that’s true, it makes sense that the show feels like it’s holding its breath. The problem is, that breath-holding is dragging the entire season down.
Plot Holes and Unbelievable Twists Are Testing Patience
Fans are also annoyed with the quality of the mysteries this season. A few recent episodes were called “insulting” on Reddit—specifically for their plot twists that made no logical sense.
One storyline had a reveal that felt so disconnected from the clues, people were wondering if writers were scrambling to keep viewers guessing at the expense of believability. That’s not the Death in Paradise formula. This show works best when the audience can follow along and, ideally, solve the crime just before the big reveal.
But lately? It feels like the writers are throwing curveballs just for shock value.
When the solution to the mystery doesn’t match the setup, or feels cheap and out-of-nowhere, you don’t feel satisfied—you feel tricked.
The show has also used a lot of familiar beats—like “the killer had a secret twin” or “a long-lost motive from decades ago”—in ways that feel less clever and more desperate.
Is Commissioner Selwyn Going to Leave Too?
Let’s talk about Selwyn Patterson, the Commissioner. A fan favorite, a rock, and one of the few characters still around from earlier seasons.
Well, he might be leaving too.
Actor Don Warrington hinted that he’s thinking about moving on. In an interview with The Sun, he admitted the show “may have run its course,” at least for him. That’s not a hard confirmation, but it’s not a denial either.
If Selwyn goes, it’ll be a huge shift. His deadpan delivery and slow-burning emotional arcs have kept the show grounded. Losing him and Neville in the same season could be the final push that makes long-time fans walk away.
New Characters Aren’t Filling the Gap
One of the challenges any long-running show faces is keeping characters fresh. But Death in Paradise used to be good at this. It rotated DIs, switched out officers, and always managed to land on its feet.
This season, though? The newer characters haven’t landed quite as well.
For example, fans have noted that Naomi and Marlon’s dynamic—once a highlight—has faded. They don’t seem to have as much screen time, or when they do, their subplots feel tacked on. Naomi is especially underused.
There’s a feeling that the cast is drifting. No one’s really anchoring things. When your DI is halfway out the door, your Commissioner might retire, and your supporting characters don’t get development—that’s a problem.
What the Show Needs to Fix Before Season 16
There’s still time to course-correct. Season 15 isn’t done yet. But if the showrunners want to avoid a ratings dip or a fan backlash, here’s what needs to happen next:
1. Bring Back the Humor
It doesn’t have to be sitcom-style comedy, but the lightness needs to return. The show doesn’t work when it tries to be a grim crime drama. Death in Paradise succeeds when it walks the line between mystery and gentle escapism. That balance needs to be restored.
2. Tighten the Mysteries
No more lazy reveals. No more “gotcha” endings that don’t match the clues. Fans want clever plotting, not chaos. The mysteries should feel solvable, not random.
3. Let Neville Go—Properly
If Ralf Little is leaving, the show needs to do it cleanly. Don’t drag it out over six episodes. Don’t make him mopey for half the season. Give him a sendoff that respects what he brought to the role.
4. Focus on Core Characters
Instead of throwing in more guest stars and one-off arcs, Season 15 should use its last few episodes to rebuild character chemistry. Give Naomi and Marlon something real to do. Give Selwyn a purpose. Bring the team together, not apart.
5. Don’t Overthink It
One reason this show has lasted so long is because it didn’t try too hard to be trendy or edgy. Stick with what works: gorgeous island, interesting murder, funny team, satisfying resolution.
Is Season 15 a Sign the Show's Slowing Down?
Maybe. Or maybe it’s just a transitional year. Every long-running show hits a wall eventually. What matters is how you recover.
Death in Paradise can still be saved. It has loyal fans, a proven formula, and a deep bench of talent. But if it keeps ignoring the feedback, keeps drifting further from its roots, and keeps piling on unearned twists?
Then yes, Season 15 might be remembered as the one where things broke down.
Final Thoughts (Conclusion)
Death in Paradise Season 15 isn’t a disaster—but it’s messy. Long-time fans are frustrated, and the mood across forums shows it. The tone is off, the lead feels checked out, and the mysteries aren’t clicking like they used to.
Still, there’s time to fix it. The creators just need to listen. Focus on characters. Tighten the writing. Bring back the humor. And stop trying to reinvent the show into something it’s not.
Sometimes, the best fix is to remember what worked in the first place.
FAQ
Is Ralf Little leaving Death in Paradise in Season 15?
There’s no official announcement yet, but signs strongly point to Ralf Little exiting the show either during or at the end of Season 15—possibly during the 100th episode.
Why are fans unhappy with Season 15?
The tone has shifted. There’s less humor, the mysteries feel weaker, and character arcs aren’t progressing well. Fans have been vocal about missing the charm that defined earlier seasons.
Will Commissioner Selwyn leave the show too?
Possibly. Actor Don Warrington has suggested in interviews that the show might have run its course, at least for him. Nothing is confirmed yet.
Are the ratings for Season 15 down?
As of now, official viewership stats haven’t dropped dramatically, but social media and fan forums show growing dissatisfaction.
Is Season 16 confirmed?
Not officially. The BBC usually renews the show early in the year. With Season 15 still airing, it’s likely that decisions will come after the finale—especially if cast changes are planned.
