Beyond Paradise returns to the BBC on Friday, bringing viewers back to the beloved coastal town of Shipton Abbot for season four, which picks up after the marriage of DI Humphrey Goodman and Martha Lloyd.
While the newlyweds settle into their new life together, Humphrey is faced with an "impossible decision", alongside the twisty cases awaiting him at work.
Speaking exclusively to Best Quality Designer Handbag ahead of the new series, Humphrey and Martha actors Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton reflected on their own families' reactions to the show – and revealed the "heartbreaking" habit Kris's son has when his dad is away filming.
© BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Joss BarrattKris Marshall's son's habit
Kris is father to two children, Thomas and Elsie, whom he shares with his wife, Hannah Dodkin. Both children previously made a cameo in the second season of the BBC crime drama.
While both his children used to watch Beyond Paradise, Kris revealed that Thomas's tastes are beginning to change with age. "My son, who is the eldest, is now a teenager and he's starting to drift away, towards things like Stranger Things," he said.
"I'm sort of losing him to the darker side of things, but he watches [Beyond Paradise] a lot when I'm away, which is kind of heartbreaking, but also I love it."
Do Sally Bretton children watch the show?
Much like Kris, Sally's three daughters are also big fans of the show. "My kids genuinely watch Beyond Paradise with it being nothing to do with me," she said.
"Other things that I've been in, they're just not interested, but when Beyond Paradise is on, everyone's on the sofa, we put the fire on and watch it. They all just snuggle in as a family – they love it."
© BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Mark HarrisonThe show is often a go-to pick for all the family, which is something Sally loves about being part of the series. "There's something for everybody in it. It's a wrap-around and it's warm, but there's also the tension to keep you there."
Speaking about her daughters' favourite characters, Sally added: "They were huge Humphrey fans before, and Kelby, actually, and Zoe – that's the three."
What is Beyond Paradise season 4 about?
The new season picks up after the events of the Christmas Special, which saw Humphrey and Martha finally tie the knot after multiple failed attempts. As usual, the new instalment promises "new mysteries and puzzling cases" for the police team in Shipton Abbott.
© BBC / Red Planet PicturesThe BBC synopsis reads: "Fact and folklore blur as they investigate the death of a novelist who predicted their demise, a magical night of Dark Morris that soon turns sour, a stolen treasure map that suddenly reappears, and the alleged sighting of a vengeful mermaid lurking out at sea.
"Humphrey (Kris Marshall) and Martha (Sally Bretton) launch into married life as they search for a new home, whilst Humphrey wrestles with an impossible decision that may change the lives of everyone at the station forever."
Beyond Paradise season four returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC One from Friday 27 March.
