British-Australian Cozy Mystery · ABC/BBC · 2024–present
Return to Paradise
Return to Paradise is the second Death in Paradise spin-off, trading the Caribbean for the sun-soaked New South Wales coast. Anna Samson stars as DI Mackenzie Clarke, an Australian expat detective forced to leave a promising Metropolitan Police career in London under a cloud of suspicion and return to her small hometown of Dolphin Cove, where an old broken engagement and a new murder case are both waiting for her. Season 2 streams on BritBox, and a third season has been confirmed. Return to Paradise streams on BritBox in the US.
Is This Series for You?
Fans of the Death in Paradise Formula, Reset in Australia
Viewers who love the parent show's sunny-island whodunit formula but want a fresh setting, a female lead detective, and a personal-history angle woven into the cases.
The Franchise's First Female Lead Detective
After 13 years and four male lead detectives on Death in Paradise, Return to Paradise gives the franchise its first woman in the top role.
Light and Sunny
Return to Paradise keeps the same low-violence, comedy-forward tone as its parent series. British TV Hub's verdict: a solid, sun-drenched comfort watch for fans wanting more of the Death in Paradise formula in a new setting.
Where to watch in the US
BritBox
Seasons 1–2 available · Subscription required
Watch via BritBox on Prime Video →Streaming availability in the US can change. Check the linked service for the current season and episode selection. Checked October 2026.
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BritBox, Acorn TV and PBS Masterpiece can all be added as Prime Video channels, so every series sits on one watchlist.
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New Viewer's Guide
R.I.P. Tide (Season 1, 2024)
The series premiere brings DI Mackenzie Clarke back to Dolphin Cove after her London career implodes, throwing her into the local police station and straight into her first case, all while facing the ex-fiancé she left at the altar years before.
Main Characters and Cast
Anna Samson
DI Mackenzie Clarke — an Australian detective forced home from London under a cloud of suspicion, navigating an unwelcoming hometown and an ex-fiancé she left behind.
Lloyd Griffith
Detective Senior Constable Colin Cartwright — Mackenzie's local partner on the Dolphin Cove force, an affable presence who's become a fan favorite.
Andrea Demetriades
Daisy — the current love interest of Mackenzie's ex-fiancé Glenn, adding personal complication to the town's small-community dynamics.
Catherine McClements & Celia Ireland
Part of the Dolphin Cove ensemble surrounding Mackenzie and Colin, rounding out the small coastal town's cast of locals and colleagues.
What Makes the Series Special
A Female Lead Detective, at Last
After more than a decade of male leads across Death in Paradise, Return to Paradise hands the franchise's top role to a woman for the first time.
An Australian Twist on a Global Format
Filmed across Sydney and the Illawarra coastal region of New South Wales, the show brings a distinctly Australian flavor to the Death in Paradise formula rather than simply repeating it.
A Detective Who Actually Comes From There
Unlike the outsider detectives of Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise, Mackenzie is a local returning home, giving every case an added layer of history and old relationships.
Setting and Filming Locations
Dolphin Cove, New South Wales
Return to Paradise is set in the fictional coastal town of Dolphin Cove and filmed at real locations across Sydney and the Illawarra coastal region of New South Wales, Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Return to Paradise connected to Death in Paradise?
Yes, it's the second Death in Paradise spin-off (after Beyond Paradise), sharing the same whodunit format in a new Australian setting, though the characters and cast are entirely new.
Is Return to Paradise coming back for Season 3?
Yes. Season 3 is already in development and production, following two successful seasons.
Where can I watch Return to Paradise in the US?
BritBox is Return to Paradise's home in the US, with both seasons available to stream.
Where is Return to Paradise filmed?
The series films across Sydney and the Illawarra coastal region of New South Wales, Australia.
Fact-checked and streaming availability checked October 2026. Spot an error or an outdated streaming link? Send a correction via the contact page.
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