The Death in Paradise spin-off Beyond Paradise has announced details of its first Christmas special on BBC One.
Teeing up what's ahead for fans, the BBC said: "Kris Marshall (DI Humphrey Goodman), Sally Bretton (Martha Lloyd), Zahra Ahmadi (DS Esther Williams), Dylan Llewellyn (PC Kelby Hartford), Barbara Flynn (Anne Lloyd) and Felicity Montagu (Margo Martins) all return to Shipton Abbott alongside an exciting guest cast.
"Starring in this festive episode are actors James Fleet (The Vicar of Dibley), Isaac Vincent-Norgate (Sanditon), Amalia Vitale (Endeavour), Kulvinder Ghir (Still Open All Hours), Sheila Reid (Benidorm) and Bellowhead. Chris Jenks also returns to play Josh Woods, with Jade Harrison as CS Charlie Woods and Eva Feiler as Lucy.
"As the residents of Shipton Abbott gear up for Christmas, Humphrey and the team are baffled by a series of bizarre burglaries which [sic] aren't quite what they seem. However, when the team make a breakthrough with an unexpected connection, it's a bittersweet discovery that makes them reconsider the true meaning of Christmas.
"Back at the station, Kelby is forced to babysit a cheeky young shoplifter and Humphrey feels the pressure when CS Charlie Woods continues to question why their beloved local police station should remain open. Meanwhile, navigating the trials and tribulations of family life, Esther's teenage daughter, Zoe (Melina Sinadinou), is less than impressed when she is made to work in Santa's Grotto. And a chance encounter gives Martha food for thought about the future..."
The transmission date has yet to be announced. A Christmas instalment of Death in Paradise is also part of the BBC One schedule.
The BBC says Beyond Paradise is "the UK's most successful new drama launch of 2023 so far".
It will return for a second series in 2024, "delivering much-loved heart-warming relationship stories and puzzling criminal capers".
