Beyond Paradise: Kris Marshall opens up about 'delightful' Ruth Madoc cameo

Virgin Radio

8 Mar 2023, 16:27

Beyond Paradise star Kris Marshall has opened up about working alongside the late Ruth Madoc in the new BBC series. 

Hi-de-Hi! star Madoc joined the Death in Paradise spin-off as a guest star for episode two. Shortly after filming the episode, the stage and screen actress passed away in December aged 79. 

In line with its Caribbean-based predecessor, Beyond Paradise collected a roster of big names to appear on its guest cast list, with Ruth starring alongside the likes of Phil Daniels and Rufus Jones.

Speaking about Madoc and the rest of the stellar cast, Kris, who plays DI Humprhey Goodman in the series, told virginradio.co.uk and other press about her role, and reminisced about how she shaped his upbringing. 

Kris explained: “I'm of the age where Saturday nights…when I was a kid, we would light the fire…this is going to sound incredibly twee, but we used to light the fire and toast crumpets and watch Hi-de-Hi! She was a massive part of my childhood, so it was a joy, although bittersweet in the end, to work with her and she was so vibrant as well and delightful.”

Elsewhere, Quadrophenia icon Daniels swapped coastal Brighton for the beaches of Devon in Beyond Paradise, taking up the role as Marvelous Harris. 

Speaking about Daniel’s cameo, Kris continued: “The legend Phil Daniels playing a character called Marvelous Harris, playing a slightly dodgy boatyard owner. What's not to love about that? Phil Daniels doing a Devon accent as well. We all know Phil Daniels’ voice from everything from Quadrophenia to Park Life. He’s part of the lexicon so it was incredible to work with him as well.”

Other big names who have appeared in the debut series of Beyond Paradise include EastEnders star Davood Ghadami, Sex Education actor Chris Jenks as well as Battlestar Galactica’s Jamie Bamber, who plays Archie, described as “a face from Martha’s past.”

In Beyond Paradise, Marshall’s DI Goodman left city life behind and joiend the local Shipton Abbott police force, while fiance Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) set out to pursue her dream of running her own restaurant. Throughout the series, the couple will navigate the ups and downs of normal life, coupled with their new jobs, all while living at home with Martha’s mum, Anne Lloyd (Barbara Flynn).

Beyond Paradise continues on BBC One and iPlayer on Friday nights at 8pm.