Death in Paradise fans floored as 'favourite' star is in another crime series

Daily Mirror

18-06-2025

Death in Paradise fans have been left floored after discovering that former detective, DI Jack Mooney, is also in another detective series, as they branded him their "favourite"
Fans of Death in Paradise have just clocked that their "favourite" sleuth, Ardal O'Hanlon, stars in another detective drama. Ardal was the much-loved DI Jack Mooney on the hit BBC show before he departed Saint Marie to join his daughter in London.
Since leaving, he's returned to our screens in the Death in Paradise spin-off, Return to Paradise, featuring the series' first female detective.
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Yet, it turns out Ardal has also been spotted in a different detective series, Sherlock & Daughter, playing Mr Halligan, the butler.
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On a Facebook fan page for Death in Paradise, one viewer posted: "I see Ardal O'Hanlon is in Sherlock & Daughter as Holmes' butler."
This sparked reactions from other fans, with one saying: "I love Ardal O'Hanlon," and another declaring: "Jack was my favourite detective," reports the Express.
A fellow fan agreed: "Mine too."
Another excitedly commented: "OMG, I need to watch this now."
Sherlock & Daughter's plot summary reveals: "Sherlock & Daughter follows Amelia, a young woman who travels to London seeking her father, Sherlock Holmes, after her mother's murder.
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"She joins forces with the renowned detective to crack a global conspiracy and uncover the truth behind her mother's killing and her own origins.
"Initially, Sherlock doubts Amelia's story, suspecting deceit. The series delves into their complicated dynamic as they collaborate to solve the enigma."
Ardal joined Death in Paradise in its sixth series, embodying DI Jack Mooney as a man grappling with his wife's recent passing.
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He saw his character through to the ninth season, ultimately deciding to leave the show as he came to terms with his loss and chose to return to London with his daughter.
Discussing his departure with OK!, Ardal O'Hanlon said, "I suppose I didn't think I'd be doing anything for a fourth series. I really thought three series would be the max, you know."
He elaborated on the challenges of the role: "Because it's quite a demanding show... It's a tough old show in terms of being away from home for so long and in terms of the conditions that you film in the heat and the humidity."
Ardal also touched on the impact on his family life: "I think [Melanie - his wife] found it very tough because we've got three big grown-up kids living in the house and she's got a lot on her plate, so I think she was finding it tougher as the years went on. And I was missing them all hugely as well, so I think it made sense."