Death in Paradise will be returning to TV screens with a 14th series later this month, the BBC has confirmed.

The new series of the hit drama has been teased for a while, with ex-EastEnders star Don Gilet joining the cast as lead detective DI Mervin Wilson, following the departure of DI Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little, at the end of series 13.

The 14th season of Death in Paradise will mark Don's first series as DI Wilson, following his debut in the show's Christmas special in December. The new series is due to premiere on BBC One on Friday 31 January at 9pm, the BBC has officially announced.

Mervin will have his work cut out for him in the new series, with a series of new cases to solve. The Christmas special saw him investigate three men, who were all seemingly shot with the exact same gun at the same time.

Mervin didn't make the best first impression among the residents of Saint Marie, having rubbed his colleagues up the wrong day, with even Naomi (Shantol Jackson) finding him challenging to work with.

His backstory was also revealed, with it being explained that he had travelled to the island to meet his mother for the very first time. Mervin shared this with his boss Selwyn (Don Warrington), allowing for the pair to begin some form of friendship.

However, it was sadly revealed that Mervin's mother had recently passed away. This led Selwyn to suggest that the detective extend his stay on Saint Marie, in order to feel closer to his late parent.

Talking about Mervin's struggles with life in Saint Marie, Don said: "Everything in Saint Marie runs counter to how things are supposed to be done, as far as he's concerned. His approach is more suited to a London pace of life, but nobody, even back in London, works the way he does."

Previously iscussing his addition to the long-standing BBC programme, Don dmitted he was frightened yet excited to take on such a significant role.

"I'm sure it won't be a surprise to say that it was both exciting and terrifying in equal measure. I liken it to one of those scary rides at a theme park," he said. "I'm going on it, and I know it's going to be scary, but I'm going to do it. You're daring yourself. Then you sit in the seat going, 'What have I just let myself in for?!' But it was exciting because I knew I was embarking on this new journey."

e added: "It's a weird feeling for an actor when you get any job, no matter what role it is, because they like your craft and what you did in the audition.

"When I was in the room, there were four people to impress, and I managed to do it. It was a great reminder to me that, yeah, you can still do this. It felt like a little personal air-punch-without-anyone-looking moment."

Death in Paradise series 14 begins airing on BBC One on Friday, January 31. All 13 previous series are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer