Beyond Paradise - Season 1

Beyond Paradise is a pleasant spin-off of Death In Paradise. It shows many similarities with the parent series, but gives it its own twist in a good way.Beyond Paradise is an example of a successful spin-off. It's similar enough to the parent series Death In Paradise for fans who want more of the same. Yet it distinguishes itself on enough points to also appeal to people who want something different. In Beyond Paradise, we see how Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall, Sanditon), who starred in Death In Paradise for a few seasons, travels with his fiancée Martha (Sally Bretton, Not Going Out) to the southern English coastal town of Shipton- Abbot is moving. While she tries to open a new restaurant, he leads the local police team.

The crime solved each episode is amusing, but nothing more than that

There's a reason this is called Beyond Paradise and not Death In Paradise. The murder rate in Shipton-Abbot is low compared to the island of Saint-Marie. In addition to murder investigations (just one this season), Humphrey is also involved in stolen paintings, arson attacks and kidnappings. Of course, the motives for the crimes are a bit predictable, but that doesn't take away from the fun. Although it seems that there is less at stake, it does not bother me. It does fit with the sometimes slow pace that the series has.

The focus is also more on the personal lives of Humphrey, Martha and their environment. For example, Humphrey and Martha both have the wish to have children, but the path to family expansion has its fair share of obstacles. The fact that Martha's new business partner is an old childhood sweetheart also provides tension and drama. Despite that, the series is kept light-hearted with humorous moments. Where this humor prevailed in a rather irritating way in the first episode, the makers manage to find more balance in the rest of the season.

Beyond Paradise is wonderfully atmospheric

Anyone who thinks that the series is not atmospheric because it no longer takes place on a tropical island is wrong. The Devonshire region is shown in a cheerful and colorful way and is in stark contrast to the drizzly and gray England we know from so many other detective series. The music playing is also wonderful. The intro is provided by the band Bellowhead and in between music by Nathan Evans and Johnny Flynn, among others, is always enjoyable.

Beyond Paradise can easily be seen separately from the parent series and with that, the series shows that it can stand on its own two feet. Even if you haven't seen Death In Paradise, this series is easy to follow. Of course, the series has the necessary nods to the events of Death In Paradise, and in the season finale that makes for a pleasant surprise.

Beyond Paradise offers all the fun that Death In Paradise also offers, but knows how to stand on its own two feet. Apart from the occasional small reference, this series can also be seen separately from the parent series. From a series like this, you know exactly what to expect and that's totally fine. The BBC has now announced a Christmas special and a second season, and rightly so!