Beyond Paradise fans clash over ‘spin-off series with Alan Partridge star in lead role’ – fuming ‘it’s a step too far’
A BEYOND Paradise viewer has divided opinion among fellow fans by demanding a spin-off centred around a popular character.
Ironically Beyond Paradise is itself a spin-off, an offshoot of the hit BBC crime drama Death in Paradise.
Since launching last year, it has introduced a string of characters supporting the returning DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) in the new setting of Shipton Abbott, Devon.
Taking to the Death in Paradise subreddit, a fan called for a spin-off series focused on Margo Martins, the police station’s officer support in Beyond Paradise.
The viewer wrote: “I think we need a series about Margo (from Beyond Paradise) and her past. All of her stories are so great and it would be so interesting to see more of her story.”
Margo is portrayed by actress Felicity Montagu, who is perhaps best known for playing Alan Partridge’s long-suffering assistant Lynn Benfield.
Felicity’s other TV appearances include roles in Doc Martin, The Durrells and CBBC series Hank Zipzer.
While other fans also expressed fondness for Margo, they weren’t convinced such a spin-off is warranted.
One fan wrote: “I think she’s brilliant, I love her character, but for me part of the appeal is the mystery and the randomness -she could have done anything, I wouldn’t put it past her, so I think it would lose some of the charm for me.”
A second person agreed, writing: “A spin-off for a character, that’s on a spin off to begin with, would be pushing it a step too far, I feel. Great a character as she is.”
Meanwhile, a third person shared: “No, that would ruin the moments of jaw-dropping revelation that make her so watchable in the series.”
Beyond Paradise recently aired its series two finale, which included a wedding day twist for Humphrey and fiancee Martha (Sally Bretton).
Meanwhile, Death in Paradise is set to have a new face at the helm by welcoming a new leading man to Saint Marie.
Former EastEnders actor Don Gilet has been cast as DI Melvin Wilson and will debut in the show’s next Christmas special.
Don previously played a different character in series four, episode 1 of Death in Paradise when Humphrey was still lead detective on the island.