Death in Paradise’s latest episode has left fans fuming as their questions remained unanswered regarding the future of one of its leading stars.
Fans of the crime drama series were sat at the edge of their seats towards the end of Sunday's episode, only for it to conclude and leave more questions than answers.
The current detective inspector of the series, Neville Parker (played by Ralf Little), has become the longest-serving main character on Death in Paradise.
The series is famous for switching up its protagonist detective every couple of years, but Little has starred as the main DI on the tropical island drama since 2020.
However, during Sunday’s episode, Parker seemed to indicate he would be waving goodbye to Saint Marie, although his “exit” wasn’t clear.
The character revealed he was leaving, but was pleased to later be reunited with DS Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert). In the final scene, he video calls Cassell before walking towards his plane, but crucially viewers never see him boarding the aircraft.
Parker's Death in Paradise exit was teased
BBC
It’s therefore impossible to know whether or not the fan-favourite has indeed left the show or if he decided at the last minute to stick around after reflecting on how sweet his leaving drinks had been.
It didn’t take long for viewers to flock to social media to see if other fans had been left frustrated over the ending of the penultimate episode of the series.
“So, was he on that plane when it took off?!? That is the question #DeathInParadise,” one asked.
“For f*** sake, of course it's a cliffhanger. #DeathInParadise,” another penned, while a third added: “Don’t buy it. We didn’t actually see Neville get on the plane… #DeathInParadise.”
It wasn't clear whether Neville left the island or not
BBC
Another wrote: “Gutted we’ve lost Marlon @TahjDMiles miss him SO much, surely we can’t lose Neville @RalfLittle too! Hoping that Florence @Josie_official has stopped him from getting on that plane. Neville doesn’t need to leave to find love, love is now in Sainte-Marie #DeathInParadise.”
“Ah, Death in Paradise - did Neville get off that plane? We can but hope!! #DeathInParadise,” someone else shared.
“Either neville got on the plane and he’s the victim next episode, or he didn’t, and him and florence are living happily ever after #DeathInParadise,” someone else theorised.
A seventh commented: "#DeathInParadise Ok, I’m going to go go for Neville didn’t get on the plane. Am I right?" (sic)
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Little has become the longest-serving DI in the show
BBC
Little and other stars in the series have given nothing away about Parker's fate, but it's not the first time his exit has been teased.
Reflecting on another failed love, he said in the last series: "I think maybe it's time to call it a day," but ended up staying on the island.
Little himself recently hinted he'd like to move onto other roles though, and told Radio Times: "The characters I'm mostly known for are likeable, decent, lovable characters. But people are complex and I'd really love to do something very different."
Should Little leave the drama, it would follow in the footsteps of fellow much-loved star Tahj Miles who bid farewell earlier this month.