When Did Gary Carr Leave, and How Was It Handled?
Alright, let’s dig into why Gary Carr left Death in Paradise and what it meant for the show and its fans. As Officer Fidel Best, Carr was a key part of the early seasons, bringing heart to the Saint Marie police team. His exit after Season 3 sparked a lot of chatter, and while he’s stayed quiet about the details, I’ve pulled together info from sources like DevonLive, Digital Spy, and X posts from 2025 to piece together the story. This article covers why Carr’s departure mattered, when it happened, what we know about his reasons, and how it shaped the show’s future. You’ll also get a watchlist of Fidel’s best episodes to revisit his time on the island. Let’s jump in.
Why Did Gary Carr Leave Death in Paradise?
Gary Carr, who played the loyal and hardworking Officer Fidel Best, left Death in Paradise after Season 3, with his final episode airing in February 2014. He didn’t give a public statement about his reasons, which left fans guessing. His co-star Kris Marshall, who played DI Humphrey Goodman, offered some insight in a Digital Spy interview on March 14, 2025, saying, “It wasn’t a shock. I understand where he is coming from. I was just the same when I was younger.” Marshall’s comment suggests Carr wanted to “move on” to new projects, a common move for actors early in their careers looking to avoid being typecast or to chase bigger roles.
Why does this matter? Fidel was a fan favorite, known for his dedication and quiet strength in the Honoré Police Station. His exit after 24 episodes across three seasons felt abrupt to some, with X posts in 2025 still calling him “the glue of the early team.” If you don’t understand why he left, you might miss how his departure shifted the show’s dynamic, paving the way for new characters like JP Hooper. Watching his final episodes helps you see why fans felt the loss and how the show adapted.
When Did Gary Carr Leave, and How Was It Handled?
Carr’s last appearance was in Season 3, Episode 8, aired on February 25, 2014. In the story, Fidel passes his sergeant’s exam and gets a job offer on Saint Lucia, leaving Saint Marie with his wife Juliette and their baby. The exit was written as a happy one—Fidel leaves on a high note, promoted and ready for a new chapter. Radio Times noted the show handled it smoothly, giving Fidel a positive send-off rather than killing him off, which kept fans hopeful for a return. And he did come back briefly in Season 4, Episode 5, as a guest star, tying up loose ends.
How was it done? The writers used Fidel’s ambition—he’d been studying for the sergeant’s exam since Season 2—to craft a natural exit. A mistake fans make is assuming he left because of drama or a falling-out; there’s no evidence of that. Instead, it was a career move, as Marshall hinted. If you skip his final episode, you’ll miss the emotional weight of his goodbye, which sets up the team’s transition to new dynamics. Stream it on BBC iPlayer or BritBox to catch the moment.
Why Gary Carr’s Exit Mattered
Fidel Best was more than just a sidekick. He was the reliable officer who balanced DI Richard Poole’s grumpiness and Dwayne Myers’ laid-back vibe. His steady presence grounded the team, and his exit left a gap. Fans on X in 2025 still talk about how Fidel’s departure changed the show’s early chemistry, with one user posting, “Fidel was the heart of Seasons 1-3. It wasn’t the same after.” IMDb ratings for Season 3 average 7.8/10, but some fans on Reddit argue the show lost a bit of its warmth when Carr left.
Why care? Fidel’s role showed the importance of a strong supporting cast in Death in Paradise. His exit forced the writers to introduce JP Hooper (Tobi Bakare), who brought a different energy—more ambitious, less seasoned. If you don’t watch Fidel’s episodes, you’ll miss why the early seasons felt so tight-knit. His departure also highlighted the show’s strength: it’s survived multiple cast changes, from Ben Miller to Ralf Little, and still pulls over 8 million viewers, as seen in 2024’s ratings.
What happens if you ignore this? You won’t get why fans are still nostalgic for Fidel or why his brief Season 4 return was a big deal. It also sets the stage for understanding how Death in Paradise keeps reinventing itself, like with Don Gilet’s DI Mervin Wilson in 2025’s Season 14.
What Did Gary Carr Do After Leaving?
After Death in Paradise, Carr took on diverse roles to flex his acting range. He starred as Jack Ross in Downton Abbey (2013-2014), a jazz singer in a groundbreaking interracial storyline. Then he played Baz in The Deuce (2017-2019) on HBO, a gritty drama about 1970s New York. He also joined Modern Love on Amazon in 2021 and played Morris in The Peripheral in 2022. His stage work includes Yerma at the Young Vic in 2016, showing his shift to varied projects. A DevonLive article from 2025 notes he’s now based in Los Angeles, chasing bigger Hollywood roles.
Why does this matter? Carr’s post-Death in Paradise career supports Marshall’s hint that he left to “move on.” Actors often leave ensemble shows to avoid being locked into one role, especially early in their careers. Carr was 27 when he joined Death in Paradise in 2011, and by 2014, at 30, he likely wanted to branch out. A common mistake is thinking he left because the show wasn’t working for him; his later success suggests it was about growth, not dissatisfaction.
How Did Fans and the Show Adapt?
Fans were bummed when Carr left. A 2025 X post said, “Fidel’s exit hit hard. He was the team’s rock.” But the show didn’t skip a beat. Tobi Bakare’s JP Hooper joined in Season 4, bringing a younger, eager vibe that contrasted with Fidel’s calm reliability. IMDb data shows Season 4 still averaged 7.7/10, proving the show’s formula—murder, whiteboard, reveal—kept viewers hooked. The writers also leaned into Dwayne’s humor and Camille Bordey’s sharpness to fill the gap until Kris Marshall’s Humphrey Goodman arrived.
What’s the lesson? Death in Paradise thrives on change. If you don’t watch the transition from Fidel to JP, you’ll miss how the show balances old and new. A mistake is assuming Fidel’s exit weakened the series; it actually showed its resilience. Stream Season 4 on BritBox to see how the team evolves.
What Happens If You Don’t Revisit Fidel’s Episodes?
If you skip Fidel’s episodes, you’re missing the foundation of Death in Paradise’s early success. Seasons 1-3, with Carr alongside Ben Miller and Sara Martins, set the tone for Saint Marie’s charm. You’ll also miss why fans still beg for his return on X, with one 2025 post saying, “Bring back Fidel for Season 15!” His episodes are key to understanding the show’s heart before it grew with spin-offs like Beyond Paradise and Return to Paradise. Plus, you won’t get the full context of his Season 4 cameo, which ties up his story.
How to Revisit Gary Carr’s Best Moments
Want to relive Fidel’s time on Saint Marie? Start with these standout episodes, available on BBC iPlayer or BritBox (check your region). Here’s a watchlist:
Gary Carr’s Top Death in Paradise Episodes Watchlist
- Season 1, Episode 1 (Oct 25, 2011) - BBC iPlayer/BritBox - Fidel helps DI Richard Poole solve a locked-room murder, showing his rookie grit.
- Season 2, Episode 1 (Jan 8, 2013) - BBC iPlayer/BritBox - Fidel’s loyalty shines in a case about a plantation owner’s death.
- Season 2, Episode 6 (Feb 12, 2013) - BBC iPlayer/BritBox - Fidel’s detective skills grow in a music festival murder.
- Season 3, Episode 1 (Jan 14, 2014) - BBC iPlayer/BritBox - Fidel’s sergeant exam prep starts in a tricky case.
- Season 3, Episode 8 (Feb 25, 2014) - BBC iPlayer/BritBox - Fidel’s emotional exit to Saint Lucia.
- Season 4, Episode 5 (Feb 5, 2015) - BBC iPlayer/BritBox - Fidel’s cameo as a sergeant, tying up his arc.
How to watch? Check BBC iPlayer in the UK or BritBox in the U.S. In Australia, DVDs might be your best bet, as Reddit users note delays on free-to-air TV. Don’t skip Season 3, Episode 8—it’s Fidel’s goodbye and sets up his cameo later. If you watch out of order, you’ll miss his growth from rookie to sergeant.
The Bigger Picture: Why Death in Paradise Keeps Going
Death in Paradise has been a hit since 2011, pulling 9.03 million viewers for Season 4 in 2015. Its formula—pre-credits murder, team banter, whiteboard clues—works because it’s reliable yet fresh with each DI. Carr’s exit was the first big cast change, but the show’s now on Season 14 in 2025, with Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson, and renewed for Season 15 in 2026. It’s sold to over 230 territories, and spin-offs like Beyond Paradise (2023) and Return to Paradise (2024) show its staying power. Fans on X love the escapism, with one 2025 post saying, “Saint Marie is my happy place.”
What’s the risk of not caring? You’ll miss a show that’s outlasted most dramas, even with exits like Carr’s. His departure taught the writers how to handle change, keeping the show alive through Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon, Ralf Little, and now Don Gilet. Follow @deathinparadise on X for updates or check Radio Times for schedules.
Conclusion
Gary Carr left Death in Paradise after Season 3 to “move on,” as Kris Marshall hinted, chasing new roles like Downton Abbey and The Deuce. His exit as Fidel Best in February 2014 was emotional but well-handled, with a promotion to Saint Lucia. Fans still miss him in 2025, but his departure proved the show’s strength, paving the way for new characters and stories. Want to relive Fidel’s best moments? Grab the watchlist above, stream on BBC iPlayer or BritBox, and share your favorite episode in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gary Carr’s Exit
Why did Gary Carr leave Death in Paradise?
He wanted to pursue new roles, as Kris Marshall suggested in a 2025 Digital Spy interview. No drama, just a career move.
When was Gary Carr’s last episode?
Season 3, Episode 8, aired February 25, 2014. He returned briefly in Season 4, Episode 5.
Did his exit hurt the show?
Fans missed Fidel, but Season 4’s 7.7/10 IMDb average shows the show stayed strong with new characters like JP Hooper.
Where can I watch Fidel’s episodes?
BBC iPlayer or BritBox. Check the watchlist for key episodes.
Will Gary Carr return to Death in Paradise?
No confirmation, but fans on X in 2025 hope for another cameo after his Season 4 return.
