Ardal O'Hanlon made a return to the Death in Paradise universe on Friday night, as the detective series saw its first-ever spin-off, Return to Paradise, make its debut

Return to Paradise stars former Home and Away actress Anna Samson, 34, as Detective Inspector Mackenzie Clarke who after working for London’s Metropolitan Police, returns to her hometown of Dolphin Cove to help fix up her mother’s house, but ends up temporarily re-joining the local police team to help them solve a murder.

BBC Death in Paradise fans were overjoyed to see the return of one of the show's stars in the new spin-off series Return to Paradise, which launched on Friday night

Death in Paradise spin-off Return to Paradise hit screens on Friday night and saw the return of a familiar face

However, we now know that Ardal O'Hanlon appears as DI Jack Mooney in the first episode of Return to Paradise, which begins on BBC One on Friday, November 22 at 8 pm. Return to Paradise follows DI Mackenzie Clarke, a high-ranking officer in the London Metropolitan Police, who’s forced to return to Australia when she’s framed.

BBC Death in Paradise viewers were overjoyed to see the return of a beloved character in the first episode of the new spin-off. Return to Paradise star Anna Samson, 34, will appear in the idyllic Australian coastal town of Dolphin Cove as DI Mackenzie Clarke.

The BBC has released some new images and a fresh trailer for Death in Paradise 's newest spin-off Return to Paradise. The latest entry in the murder mystery franchise takes place in Australia, as Aussie ex-pat DI Mackenzie Clarke has to leave the UK after she's accused of tampering with evidence.