British-Australian Cozy Mystery · ABC/BBC · 2024–present
Return to Paradise
2 Seasons
Anna Samson
Death in Paradise Spin-off
Australia-Set
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 is currently airing on BritBox, with a third season already in production. Return to Paradise streams on BritBox in the US — see British TV Hub's guide to where to watch British TV in the US.
Best For
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.
Cozy MysteryAustralia-Set
At a Glance
ToneWarm, breezy
PaceBreezy
Similar ToDeath in Paradise, Beyond Paradise
First for the Franchise
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.
Female Lead
At a Glance
LeadAnna Samson
Content Note & Verdict
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.
Family-FriendlyRecommended
At a Glance
ContentMild, family-friendly
VerdictRecommended
Where to watch in the US
BritBox
Season 2 now airing · Season 1 also available · Subscription required
Watch on BritBox →
Free option: Not currently available free in the US
Streaming availability in the US can change. Check the linked service for the current season and episode selection. Checked September 2026.
Where to Start
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.
Series Premiere2024
At a Glance
Watch OrderRecommended in order
Prior ViewingDeath in Paradise not required
Lead
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.
Lead Detective
At a Glance
RoleDI Mackenzie Clarke
Lead
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.
Detective Senior Constable
At a Glance
RoleColin Cartwright
Recurring
Andrea Demetriades
Daisy — the current love interest of Mackenzie's ex-fiancé Glenn, adding personal complication to the town's small-community dynamics.
Recurring
Recurring
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.
Ensemble Cast
At a Glance
SettingDolphin Cove ensemble
First for the Franchise
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.
Anna Samson
At a Glance
LeadAnna Samson
Fresh Setting
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.
New South Wales
At a Glance
SettingDolphin Cove, Australia
Personal Stakes
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.
Homecoming Story
At a Glance
PremiseDetective returns home
Setting & Filming
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.
New South Wales, Australia
At a Glance
SettingDolphin Cove (fictional)
Filmed InSydney & Illawarra, NSW
Connection
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.
Quick Answer
FranchiseDeath in Paradise
Status
Is Return to Paradise coming back for Season 3?
Yes. Season 3 is already in development and production, following two successful seasons.
Quick Answer
StatusSeason 3 in production
Streaming
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.
Quick Answer
PrimaryBritBox
Filming Location
Where is Return to Paradise filmed?
The series films across Sydney and the Illawarra coastal region of New South Wales, Australia.
Quick Answer
RegionNew South Wales, Australia
Fact-checked and streaming availability checked September 2026. Spot an error or an outdated streaming link? Let us know via the contact page.