Has Ralf Little’s Time on ‘Death in Paradise’ Truly Come to an End?

Throughout season 13, Death in Paradise dropped many hints that Detective Inspector Neville Parker (Ralf Little) was ready to say goodbye to Saint Marie. But will he truly leave? Or did recent developments make him change his mind?

The U.K. has currently seen two more episodes of Death in Paradise season 13 than the U.S., so for those of you reading this in the States, be warned, there are spoilers ahead!

**Spoilers ahead for Death in Paradise season 13, episodes 5-8**

It’s no secret that DI Neville Parker has been unlucky in the romance department. He’s either fallen for the wrong person, or his feelings were unrequited. At the end of season 12, Neville was horrifically betrayed, and in season 13, he has had a hard time overcoming that betrayal. A brief online dalliance with a woman who turned out to be his ex-girlfriend hasn’t helped, either. And yet, after all that, Neville realized that he still wanted to try and find love, but that staying in his little bubble on Saint Marie may not help him find it. There’s no denying that he’s much braver than he used to be.

Boldly, Neville proclaimed that he would leave Saint Marie and begin traveling, but the reappearance of DS Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert), whom Neville was in love with until she was forced into Witness Protection, could have been enough to change his mind. Despite the show insinuating that Neville got on a plane to leave the island and that he and Florence had missed their chance to reconnect face-to-face in Death in Paradise season 13, episode 7, the final eighth episode satisfyingly resolved everything.

Will Neville Parker return for Death in Paradise season 14?

After Death in Paradise‘s season 13 finale aired on BBC One in the U.K. on Sunday, March 24, the official Death in Paradise X account confirmed that this was Ralf Little’s last episode as the show’s leading DI.

This will undoubtedly be a blow for fans of the show, myself included, as it’s always hard to adjust to a new Detective Inspector, no matter how narratively satisfying the previous iteration’s departure is. Ralf Little is now the longest-serving Death in Paradise DI, too, and his character growth on the show has been astronomical. After the episode aired, Little and Death In Paradise posted a message on Instagram, too, which you can watch below.

When Parker first arrived on the island, he was allergic to literally everything, scared to try new foods, drinks, and experiences, and afraid to put himself out there. Slowly, with the help of his team and friends, he began to open up, becoming a better, more improved version of himself—he’s now empathetic, considerate, humorous, and much more outgoing. It’s been a wonderful journey. Now, he’s headed out on an adventure with Florence by his side, the finale ending with the pair holding hands on a boat as they both literally and figuratively sail off into the sunset. The romance fans have been hoping for has finally been realized.

Earlier, when speaking to RadioTimes.com, Little spoke of his desire to take on a more complex, perhaps even villainous, role, which might be one of the reasons he decided to move on from the show:

“I’ve mostly made a career out of playing quite likeable characters and I’ve loved it,” he said. “The characters I’m mostly known for are likeable, decent, lovable characters. But people are complex and I’d really love to do something very different.”

With Marlon (Tahj Miles) having already left at the end of season 13, episode 5, it looks like viewers may need to get used to more than one new cast member next season.

So, who will lead Saint Marie’s police force next in Death in Paradise season 14? Only time will tell.

(featured image: BBC)