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Why did Kris Marshall leave Death in Paradise?

The star came under fire following an interview from 2020

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Eve Crosbie
TV & Film Writer
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Kris Marshall has reprised his role as DI Humphrey Goodman in the new Death in Paradise spin-off, Beyond Paradise. The series follows the clumsy detective as he embarks on a new life in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott on the Devonshire coast. 

But why did the Love Actually star leave the show in the first place? Before you find out, see Kris in action in the new drama in the trailer below.

WATCH: Kris Marshall creates 'havoc' as he returns at Humphrey Goodman in Beyond Paradise

The 49-year-old actor starred as DI Humphrey on the BBC series from 2014 until 2017, replacing DI Richard Poole who was played by Ben Miller.

In an interview that took place on Lorraine in June 2020, the actor opened up about why he called it time on the much-loved BBC show, revealing that he felt his son was becoming "a bit too Caribbean". 

"The thing is, after doing four great years on Guadeloupe, the island where we filmed Death in Paradise, I realised that I really had to get my son to school," he said.

kris sally beyond© Photo: BBC

Kris stars in Beyond Paradise with Sally Bretton

"He was becoming a bit too Caribbean, he refused to wear shoes and would only drink coconut water and eat pineapple. He was on very good on the beach, but not very good with Maths and English so I decided it was time to get him back into school.

He then joked that he started questioning his decision on his next acting job, saying, "six months later, I'm standing on a film set in a car park in Dagenham at four o'clock in the morning thinking 'Have I made the right decision?'"

kris marshall on lorraine© Photo: Rex

Kris made the comments on an interview with Lorraine last year

Later telling HELLO! via a spokesperson, he said: "In an interview I did last year, I attempted to convey how much my family and I loved our time during the four wonderful years we made our home on Guadeloupe, and how hard it was for us all to return to Britain. 

"However, I expressed part of this in an uneducated and poor manner and in doing so, I unintentionally hurt people I care about and caused offence to others. For this, I am deeply sorry. In my naive use of words, I propagated negative cultural stereotypes, which was offensive and insensitive. I now understand the damage this type of ignorant language, when used by a privileged white man like myself, can have. 

His statement concluded: "I remain genuinely remorseful for the hurt and damage this has caused and am committed to educating and expressing myself more appropriately and respectfully moving forward."

The actor, who is also known for his roles in My Family and Sanditon, shares two children, Thomas and Elsie, with his wife nine years, Hannah. During his four-year stint on the show, the whole family moved from their home in Wells to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. Since his departure from the series, the family have settled in Bath.

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