Return to Paradise is an Australian-British crime/comedy drama six part series which was originally running week to week, then iView just loaded all of the three remaining episodes this morning. So I did what any penisoner would, and binge away on the ABC.
It started earlier this month, with a UK airdate TBA. This is the second spin-off series of long-running crime series Death in Paradise. The ABC has a long history of series of the same vein. Murder mystery, week-to-week with a bit of a season long plot across the series. Think Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, The Doctor Blake Mysteries or even Jack Irish. This is the bread and butter genre for the ABC. It's not as gritty as Mystery Road, not as camp as Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, but it aims to please the ABC's core older demo, good location shots and a whodunnit.
Return to Paradise is led by Anna Samson as DI Mackenzie Clarke. Detective Inspector Mackenzie Clarke returns to her home town of Dolphin Cove (AKA Wollongong) when she is accused of tampering with evidence back in London. Mackenzie returns to solve a murder and when the past catches up with her she must fix what she broke all those years ago.
The remaining cast are a who's who of Australian TV. Joined by Lloyd Griffith as Detective Senior Constable Colin Cartwright. Home & Away hottie, Tai Hara joins as Forensic Pathologist Glenn Strong, Mackenzie's former fiancé. With former Wentworth legend, Celia Ireland as Reggie Rocco, a volunteer at the police station.
Sea Change's Catherine McClements as Senior Sergeant Philomena Strong, while handsome Aaron McGrath plays Constable Felix Wilkinson.
They are joined by Andrea Demetriades as Daisy Dixon, Glenn's girlfriend, Tai Hara's lucky AF love interest.
You get a few more familiar faces across the series as guests across the season for a number of murders.
From environmental warriors, to lawn bowl murders, even a hairdressing murder. The six episodes make Wollongong look as dangerous as Blue Heelers did for regional Victoria.
Don't take this too seriously. It's all a bit of fun, the formula works, this has been and will be a hit for the ABC. They recently renewed Austin and Ladies in Black, so I expect this to return in the future.
It's been a mixed bag for the ABC this year, however with Fisk and new series Plum looking decent, the remainder of 2024 is looking solid for local comedies and dramas.
Return to Paradise is no Newsreader or Total Control. However it is nice to have another easy to watch local drama on our screens.
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