Last Updated on April 22, 2026
If you’ve ever found yourself wishing you could step through your TV screen and into a sun-drenched world of murder mysteries, awkward reunions, and the kind of small-town gossip that would make even your nosiest neighbor blush, then Return to Paradise probably already has a spot on your “must-watch” list.
And if you’re new here, pull up a deck chair-because the good news is, this Australian-British cozy crime drama is officially returning for a second season, and there’s plenty to talk about.
Let’s take a stroll along the sands of Dolphin Cove (don’t forget your SPF 50), and get reacquainted with the show that’s given the Death in Paradise universe a fresh, distinctly Aussie twist.
The Paradise-verse Expands
The Death in Paradise franchise has always been about fish-out-of-water detectives solving impossible crimes in impossibly beautiful places.
With Return to Paradise, the “fish” is Detective Inspector Mackenzie Clarke – played with a dry wit and a knack for eyebrow-raising by Anna Samson – who finds herself washed up not on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie, but in the equally fictional (and equally picturesque) Australian town of Dolphin Cove.
But Mackenzie isn’t your typical outsider. She grew up in Dolphin Cove, only to escape for a high-flying career with London’s Metropolitan Police.
When a scandal back in the UK (think: accusations of evidence tampering, not a minor parking ticket) sends her packing, she’s forced to return home, tail tucked firmly between her legs.
If you’ve ever had to move back in with your parents as an adult, you’ll feel her pain.
Season 2 Is On the Way
If you’ve come here just to find out when Return to Paradise season 2 is on the way, then let me put you out of your misery.
New episodes will drop on BBC One on Friday, October 31st, 2025. If you’re in Australia, you have to wait a couple of weeks longer before DI Mackenzie Clark graces your screen on 15th November 2025 on ABC.
And if you want to watch it in the U.S., you may have to wait a little longer. Season 1 is available for streaming through the Ovation app, and it could be May 2026 before the second season lands.
Another six episodes full of ingenious murders, romantic complications, and, yes, even more glorious Australian scenery have been promised, which is just what we all need during the chilly Winter months!
Season 2 will see Mackenzie and her team tackling an eclectic mix of cases, from the literary world to shark labs, dating apps, and rock concerts. (Because nothing says “cozy crime” like a murder at a shark lab.)
Expect more guest stars from the Australian screen, including Tim Rogers, the frontman of You Am I, and returning appearances from Ardal O’Hanlon as Jack Mooney.
But perhaps the biggest mystery of all? Whether Mackenzie will ever feel at home in Dolphin Cove, or if she’ll always be the ultimate outsider-solving crimes, dodging small-town drama, and maybe, just maybe, finding a little peace along the way.
Sunshine, Scandal, and Small-Town Shenanigans
If you haven’t already watched the show, let me catch you up.
The show’s premise is as juicy as a summer mango. Mackenzie comes home to help her mum, but quickly finds herself roped into the local police force, mainly because of a national hiring freeze, and, let’s be honest, a suspiciously high murder rate for a sleepy coastal town.
To make things even more awkward, her new boss is her ex-would-be mother-in-law, and her ex-fiancé Glenn (Tai Hara) is the forensic pathologist she left at the altar years earlier.
It’s like a high school reunion, but with more dead bodies and fewer questionable dance moves.
A Cast of Characters (and Suspects)
Let’s meet the team, shall we?
DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson): The prodigal daughter with a knack for spotting the odd sock at a crime scene-and in life.
Glenn Strong (Tai Hara): Forensic pathologist, ex-fiancé, and owner of a heartbreak that’s almost as big as his hair.
Senior Sergeant Philomena Strong (Catherine McClements): Mackenzie’s boss and Glenn’s mother. She’s seen it all, and she’s not afraid to remind you.
Det Senior Constable Colin Cartwright (Lloyd Griffith): The community’s heart, who wanted Mackenzie’s job but settles for being her sidekick (and occasional comic relief).
Reggie Rocco (Celia Ireland): Volunteer at the station and Mackenzie’s former teacher, ready with wisdom and a cup of tea.
Constable Felix Wilkinson (Aaron L. McGrath): The rookie with a lot to prove.
Daisy Dixon (Andrea Demetriades): Glenn’s new girlfriend – because of course he has one!
And don’t forget the parade of guest stars, including Ardal O’Hanlon reprising his Death in Paradise role as Jack Mooney, popping in to remind everyone that the “Para-verse” is alive and well.
Season One: Murders, Motives, and More Than a Few Laughs
Across its six-episode debut, Return to Paradise delivered a string of classic whodunits, each with its own twist.
From locked-room mysteries in beauty salons to poisoned fun runs and bushranger bowling tournaments gone awry, Mackenzie and her team tackled cases that would stump even the sharpest armchair detective.
But the real heart of the show lies in its characters’ tangled relationships.
Mackenzie’s efforts to regain her reputation, Glenn’s unresolved feelings, Philomena’s dry one-liners – these are the moments that keep viewers coming back, even when the body count rises faster than the tide.
And let’s not forget the setting. Filmed across Sydney’s northern beaches and the lush Illawarra region, the show’s backdrop is so stunning you’ll want to book a flight to Australia immediately.
Why Did It Click?
Return to Paradise didn’t just coast on the success of its parent show. It carved out its own identity, blending the familiar warmth and humor of Death in Paradise with a uniquely Australian sensibility.
The show’s debut drew impressive numbers, with UK audiences hovering around 3.6 million per episode, putting it on par with some of the country’s most beloved soaps.
Not bad for a show where the biggest stars are often the beaches.
Critics and fans alike have praised Anna Samson’s performance as Mackenzie, noting that she brings a fresh energy to the “outsider detective” trope.
And while some viewers have tried to compare her to previous Death in Paradise leads, most agree she’s very much her own character-quirky, sharp, and just a little bit prickly.
Why You Should Tune In (If You Haven’t Already)
Return to Paradise is the TV equivalent of a good beach read: clever, comforting, and just a little bit cheeky.
It’s a show that knows how to have fun with its genre, poking gentle fun at itself while delivering genuinely satisfying mysteries.
And if you’re a fan of the Death in Paradise universe, it’s a must-watch-think of it as a sunburned cousin who’s just as sharp, but with a different accent and a lot more sunscreen.
So, whether you’re here for the whodunits, the will-they-won’t-they romance, or just the chance to escape to a place where the biggest worry is what’s lurking behind the next sand dune, this show is ready to welcome you back.
Season 2 promises more laughs, more puzzles, and more reasons to fall in love with Dolphin Cove – even if Mackenzie herself isn’t quite there yet.
Pack your bags (and maybe a magnifying glass). Paradise is calling, and it’s murderously good fun.
Where am I able to watch return to paradise in the us??
As of yet there’s no scheduled release date for the show in the US. As it is made 50/50 with the BBC and Red Planet Productions, it only has air dates in the UK, Australia and Sweden. I would say about 7 more months before it would be on Britbox – but no guarantees – sorry!