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Season 1 – Return to Paradise

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Return to Paradise Sep 2024 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
60% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 36% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
DI Mackenzie Clarke is forced to leave London under a cloud of suspicion and return to the last place she never wanted to be, her hometown of Dolphin Cove, Australia, where her tenacity and work ethic help her solve murder mysteries.
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Return to Paradise — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Anita Singh Daily Telegraph (UK) Dec 6, 2024
3/5
If Samson tones down the act as the series goes on, this will be a welcome addition to the franchise. Go to Full Review
Sean O'Grady Independent (UK) Nov 26, 2024
3/5
The franchise has travelled to its new location without losing its most essential quality, which is that it can be happily consumed on a drizzly British winter evening with a glass of Yellow Tail Sauvignon Blanc and only one eye on the screen. Go to Full Review
Alison Rowat The Herald (Scotland) Dec 3, 2024
It’s same old, same old, from the police station layout to the “I’ve gathered you all here today” denouement. Go to Full Review
James Walton The Spectator Dec 3, 2024
At some point, no doubt, Clarke will be revealed to have a softer side. But, while we wait for that, the effect of her abiding gloom after two episodes is to suck the usual joy out of what really is known in TV circles as ‘the Paraverse’. Go to Full Review
Anthony Morris ScreenHub Sep 26, 2024
4/5
At this stage it’s hard to say whether the result is skillfully expanding on a much-loved franchise or is messing too much with a winning formula. But it’s off to a strong start Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Carol V @Hi-puffin16699 1 day ago First off, Catherine Mcclements is just plain bizarre. The character she plays in so unlikeable and her weird facial movements are distracting to the point of being annoying. Unlike the other "death in Paradise" series, the basic premise of this story is weak, and there is NO chemistry or character development between the cast. What a shame that this series is poorly cast with an odd, unskilled actor in the leading role. I love the scenery being filmed in Australia, and the plot lines are ok? but I can't stand to watch Catherine Mcclements butcher this role and sabotage the series. See more Betty M @Bboop617 Aug 9, 2026 The strory lines are ok, not particularly sharp. Biggest criticism goes to the lead actress. I don’t know what she is trying to convey, but it comes across as annoying and difficult to watch. Her facial expressions are distracting and, to be blunt, bizarre. If she’s going for "quirky", she seriously misses the mark. Lastly, the story line concerning the lead actress and her former fiancée is such a cliche. She needs to either say @yes, I’m still interested" or get the heck out of his life. See more Daisy C @Daisy1722 Aug 8, 2026 It's a fun quirky set of characters, though, and maintains the same cozy vibe as the other shows. See more chumcha07 @Cee07 Jan 29, 2026 I found this to be a welcome addition to the "Paradise" series. While it isn't as upbeat and light as the original series, I still find the show enjoyable!! The show does focus on the character and story of the Detective in the case and how she struggles to understand the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. See more Javed A @Jali77 Nov 22, 2025 Acting good well written See more Alan B @RT58484342 Nov 16, 2025 Although the story line is good, the directing is very much second rate. Although the acting by most of the cast is good, Anna Samson is second rate in this series, possibly because of the rubbish director, (as is Catherine McClements and some of the extras). See more Read all reviews
Return to Paradise — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 8, 2024 R.I.P. Tide When Dolphin Cove local royalty Stuart Granger washes ashore with a knife in his back in the middle of a surf carnival, recently returned expat DI Mackenzie Clarke is thrust onto the case. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 15, 2024 Dead Last DI Mackenzie Clarke has two mysteries on her hands: how to solve the murder of a famous influencer in the middle of a fun run and how to stop local bathers taking shortcuts through her property. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 22, 2024 Curl Up and Dye Three hairdressers return from lunch to find boss Bianca Bailey has been killed; the method is strangulation, but the murder weapon remains a mystery, one that Mackenzie is determined to untangle. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 29, 2024 Killer Climate An eco-activist was murdered while all the suspects were chained together during a protest. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 6, 2024 Dead Bowl A game of lawn bowls turns to chaos when a man is killed on the green. Details Episode 6 Aired Sep 27, 2024 Oh Mine Papa When crabby Vince Ogden is found dead in his locked bedsit, it is presumed he ended his own life; but Mack can sense murder and is more than happy to throw herself into the case. Details
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Season Info

Director
Mat King
Creator
Peter Mattessi
Executive Producer
Peter Mattessi, James Hall, Tim Key, Rachel Okine, Brett Sleigh, Robert Thorogood, Kylie Washington
Screenwriter
Kodie Bedford, Alexandra Carlier, Elizabeth Coleman
Network
ABC Australia
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
Australian English
Release Date
Sep 8, 2024
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