Sanditon star Kris Marshall admits it’s ‘time to move on’ following series 3 finale

Virgin Radio

6 Sep 2023, 13:18

Sanditon actor Kris Marshall has admitted he was more than ready to say goodbye to playing Tom Parker in the ITV period drama. 

The third and final season of the beloved show, based on the unfinished Jane Austen novel, launched on ITVX in August, and tied up all the loose ends within the Regency era seaside town. 

Beyond Paradise star Kris starred as the determined town developer since series one back in 2019, with the character on a constant mission to make Sanditon the next huge destination resort. 

Kris joined his Beyond Paradise co-stars at the 2023 National Television Awards on Tuesday (5th September), and while on the red carpet, he stopped by to chat exclusively with virginradio.co.uk about life post-Sanditon.

“I loved playing [Tom], he was such a complex man,” Kris explained. “Three wonderful series, I really enjoyed it, but it was time to move on.”

He might not be returning to Sanditon, but Kris is busy down in the equally idyllic seaside paradise Cornwall filming the next series of Beyond Paradise. 

On what he’s doing next, the My Family actor said: “I’m just concentrating on Beyond Paradise at the moment. We were literally shooting for six months this year. After that, just spend some time with my kids and remind them who their dad is.”

Speaking of returning to Humphrey Goodman on the BBC cosy crime drama, the team at Shipton Abbott are gearing up for the much-anticipated second season. 

When speaking about how it feels to have viewers looking forward to it coming back, Kris said: “It's a mixture of being a relief, because it wouldn't look good for me if it didn't go very well, but also, we're absolutely thrilled. I mean, really, we love the job, we're down in Devon and Cornwall, which we're back down filming right now.”

When speaking about what fans can expect from series two, its lead actor said: “So the show is bigger. There's lots more going on. We've got trains, we've got boats, we've got big fires, all sorts going on, but it still retains the heart of the show.

“So, loads for the fans to enjoy.”

The BBC confirmed in July that filming had started on the first Beyond Paradise festive episode, alongside series two of the hugely popular crime series. “We literally got the day off to come here tonight [to the NTAs],” Kris said. “So, we're back on set tomorrow morning. So, not too many drinks tonight! We'll be back at Christmas.”

Check out all the winners at the NTAs in our full round-up.