Jamelia – from popstar to the Caribbean

© ROAR Group

Award-winning popstar Jamelia is to appear in her first acting role on TV in the second series of Red Planet Pictures’ hit drama Death in Paradise, amongst a line-up of well-known guest stars.

Filming has begun on the Carribean set drama, starring Ben Miller, Sara Martins (Little White Lies), Danny John-Jules (Red Dwarf), Don Warrington (New Street Law) and Gary Carr (The Duchess).

Other guest artists to feature in the new series are: Stephanie Beacham (Coronation Street), Amanda Mealing (Holby City), Michael Brandon (Dempsey & Makepeace), Tom Ward (Silent Witness), Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels), Kelly Adams (Hustle), Patrick Baladi (Mistresses), Bryan Dick (Eric & Ernie), Kenneth Cranham (Made in Dagenham) and Gemma Jones (Spooks).

Jamelia commented: “I’m so excited – not only am I in a great drama filming my first TV role but I’m doing it in the Caribbean too!  I’m really looking forward to working with such a talented cast.”

Miller reprises his role as quintessential English detective, DI Richard Poole; a detective who is not so keen on sun, sea and sand but has found himself living and working on the paradise island of most people’s dreams.  Richard is starting to get stuck into local life with the help and encouragement of his colleague and friend, Camille (Martins).  However idyllic the island of Saint Marie may seem, Richard must still utilise his brilliant detective brain on a number of investigations into dastardly murders with the help of his colleagues; Camille, laid back Dwayne (Jules) and aspirational, keen bean, Fidel (Carr).

Belinda Campbell, Executive Producer for Red Planet Pictures said: “We have a wonderful cast for Death in Paradise and our list of guest stars are equally exciting.  Jamelia in particular was such a surprise find; she is not only a talented singer but actress too.

“The stories for this series are full of humour and intrigue and hopefully the whole family will have fun trying to work out whodunit each week.  We can’t wait to bring a bit of Caribbean sunshine back to the cold and wet UK!”

Death in Paradise is a Red Planet Pictures production in association with Kudos Film and TV and BBC Worldwide and created by Robert Thorogood, produced by Tim Key and directed by Alrick Riley, Keith Boak and David O’Neil.  Executive producers are Tony Jordan and Belinda Campbell for Red Planet Pictures and Polly Hill for BBC One.

Death in Paradise series 2 is currently being filmed on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe and will return to BBC One for a second series early next year.