Following the huge success of its debut season, ABC is thrilled to announce that filming is underway on Season Two of Return to Paradise, Australia’s original spin-off series of Red Planet Pictures’ global smash-hit murder mystery Death in Paradise.
The intriguing and entertaining six-part whodunit series is produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia, in partnership with Red Planet Pictures for the ABC, and in association with the BBC. The Australian original spin-off from the phenomenally popular murder mystery franchise was last year’s #1 local drama on ABC.
Series two will reunite us with Detective Sergeant Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Clarke (Anna Samson), who’s longing to get back to the UK and the life she’s always craved. But for now she’s stuck in Dolphin Cove, dodging her ex-fiancée Glenn’s (Tai Hara) upcoming wedding after overhearing his unexpected declaration of love in the series one finale - a confession that she can’t unhear.
Luckily for Mack, her compulsion to solve impossible cases serves as a great distraction, and there’s no shortage of murders to investigate. From the literary world to state-of-the-art shark labs, dating apps and rock concerts, Mack and her team face challenging mysteries with their unique blend of humour and tenacity. But Mack’s biggest challenge of all? Finding a way to exist in Dolphin Cove as the ultimate outsider.
Anna Samson (Dead Lucky, Wake in Fright) returns in the leading role of the super smart, hypervigilant and socially awkward Detective Sergeant Mackenzie Clarke, and reprising their roles are Lloyd Griffith (Ted Lasso, Nolly), Tai Hara (Home & Away, Colin From Accounts), Catherine McClements (Total Control, Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries), Celia Ireland (Wentworth, Total Control), Andrea Demetriades (Mother and Son, The Artful Dodger) and Aaron McGrath (Gold Diggers, Preppers).
Each episode will feature a host of guests including popular Australian screen stars Danielle Cormack, Meyne Wyatt, Roz Hammond, Justine Clarke, Michelle Lim Davidson, Greg Stone, Zoe Carides, Simon Lyndon and Miah Madden. Tim Rogers, the iconic lead singer of rock legends You Am I, also guest stars. And Ardal O’Hanlon, the former star of Death in Paradise, returns to reprise his role as the iconic Jack Mooney.
Rachel Okine, ABC Head of Scripted, said “We are thrilled to be returning to Dolphin Cove for another season of baffling mysteries. Our passionate army of armchair sleuths are standing by to weigh up every suspect, follow every clue and try their best to beat Mack and her crime solving crew to the culprit. We can't wait to share season two with ABC audiences later in the year.”
Kylie Washington, EVP and General Manager of Global Entertainment, BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand, said: “We’re delighted that audiences have taken Mack and the rest of the Return to Paradiseteam to their hearts. Our beautiful beach and bush have provided the perfect backdrop for intriguing, entertaining mysteries with a distinctly Australian twist that have been enjoyed by audiences in 99 countries around the world. We’re excited to get started on season two.”
Tim Key, Executive Producer, Red Planet Pictures says: “We were delighted that the world took Mack and the rest of the Australian team to their hearts and it’s a pleasure to be back on the beat with the wonderful cast and crew Down Under. We can promise another series full of ingenious murders, romantic complications and glorious Australian locations, all infused with the unique warmth and humour of the Paradise shows.”
Filming will take place once again in the idyllic Illawarra coastal region as well as Sydney’s northern beaches and across the city.
Return to Paradisewill air on ABC TV and ABC iview later this year and will be shown on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK. It will be distributed globally by BBC Studios.
Always free and Always entertaining, catch up on Return to Paradise season one on ABC iviewnow.
Production Credits: Commissioned by the ABC in association with the BBC and BBC Studios. Produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia, Red Planet Pictures. Created and Executive Produced by Peter Mattessi, James Hall and Robert Thorogood. Producer: Diane Haddon. Executive Producers for BBC Studios Productions Australia are Kylie Washington and Sophia Zachariou, for Red Planet Pictures are Belinda Campbell and Tim Key and for ABC are Rachel Okine and Brett Sleigh.
For further information contact:
Kim Bassett, ABC Publicist: bassett.kim@abc.net.au or 0409 600 456
