O’Hanlon joined the drama as D.I. Jack Mooney in 2017 when the Saint Marie police team visited London in a storyline which saw the departure of Kris Marshall’s bumbling D.I. Humphrey Goodman.
O’Hanlon says: “I’ve spent the last four summers in Guadeloupe playing DI Jack Mooney (solving over 20 murder cases in my time there!)
“It’s been a hugely rewarding and unforgettable experience, working with incredibly talented actors, directors and crew while discovering a magical part of the world.
“However, it’s time to move on and explore other opportunities – preferably nearer the Arctic Circle. I’m confident that Death In Paradise will go from strength to strength and viewers will share my enthusiasm for Jack’s successor!”
Red Planet Pictures Executive Producer Tim Key added: “They say never meet your heroes, but working with Ardal is everything I could have hoped for.
“He’s a fantastic actor and a lovely man and we will all miss him enormously. We couldn’t be more grateful for his time as our lead detective and his story isn’t over yet – viewers will have to see how, why and when Jack Mooney leaves, but I don’t think there will be a dry eye in the house.”
Tommy Bulfin, Commissioning Editor, BBC Drama, said: “We will be sad to say goodbye to DI Jack Mooney when the time comes, our audiences have loved the joy and humour he has brought to the Saint Marie police force over the last four series.
“Everyone at the BBC would like thank Ardal for his time on Death In Paradise but it’s not the end just yet; as one door closes another one opens, and we are very excited about what’s to come in the next chapter.”
Series ten of the show has already been commissioned.
