Kris Marshall Reveals Why He Left Caribbean Paradise to Raise His Children in England and Finds Cornwall Just as Exciting

Kris Marshall, best known for his role as Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman in Death In Paradise, has found a new kind of paradise closer to home.

The actor, who left the tropical island of Guadeloupe in 2017, is now embracing life in the West Country, where surfing, sailing, and swimming have replaced the Caribbean lifestyle.

“I surf, sail, swim, do triathlons. It’s like my own personal playground,” Marshall says.

“So actually, I rather love it.”

Family Comes First

The decision to leave Guadeloupe was driven by family priorities.

Married to Hannah and father to pre-teens Thomas and Elsie, Marshall wanted his children to attend school in England.

On screen, his character’s move back to the UK mirrored this life change, reconnecting with the love of his life, Martha, played by Sally Bretton, and giving rise to the spin-off series Beyond Paradise in 2023.

Set against the dramatic landscapes of Devon and Cornwall, Beyond Paradise has captured audiences with its mix of drama, crime, and mystery.

Balancing Work and Family Life

Despite filming for five months a year away from his New Forest home, Marshall has adapted to the rhythm.

“We only film Monday to Friday, but they’re 14-hour days.

Then it’s a four-hour drive home so I don’t come home every weekend,” he admits.

Yet he finds the arrangement rewarding.

“I love seeing my family every other weekend, but I also get the solitude I enjoy at the end of a really hard working week.”

The actor rents the same beachfront property in a quiet Cornish village each year.

“It’s not touristy, but it has a lovely surf break and a community of local fishermen.

I feel part of it. I surf with the locals—it’s perfect.”

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Shipton Abbott Comes to Life in Looe

The fictional town of Shipton Abbott, home to Humphrey’s police station, is brought vividly to life in the Cornish fishing town of Looe.

“A film crew of 100 people with 30 trucks is always going to cause a stir, but Beyond Paradise has been a boost to the community,” Marshall notes.

Series four is complete, and Marshall is back in the New Forest.

Off-duty, his long surfer hair, thick moustache, and casual style create a striking contrast to the polished detective on screen.

Reconnecting at Home

Adjusting from filming to family life is a challenge, he admits.

“You have to relearn each other’s ways.

Parenting is all about not taking things too seriously.

You lose your humour when you’re away, and you have to remember how to be a parent when you come back.”

From Bath to Beyond Paradise

Born in Bath in 1973, Marshall’s journey to stardom wasn’t straightforward.

Expelled from Wells Cathedral School for misbehavior, acting became his bridge to adulthood.

His breakthrough roles came in My Family and Love Actually, but he became a household name when he joined Death In Paradise in 2014, succeeding Ben Miller.

Both Death In Paradise and Beyond Paradise feature detectives who appear bumbling but are brilliant.

“The crimes are different. Death In Paradise is all about murder—it’s in the title. Beyond Paradise has a folkloric, Celtic edge,” Marshall explains.

The Magic of the West Country

Series four kicks off with a case that appears to be a suicide but unfolds into something far more intricate.

“Life in the West Country is about storytelling. Winter nights are long, weather comes off the ocean, and people embellish tales to draw you in. That’s what Beyond Paradise captures,” he says.

Marshall isn’t ruling out a return to the Caribbean.

“I never say never. But paradise isn’t just about sunny islands—it’s about being with the people you love.”

Impact and Consequences

Marshall’s return to the UK has highlighted how actors can balance demanding filming schedules with family commitments.

His choice demonstrates that relocating from exotic filming locations doesn’t mean losing adventure or excitement, as local communities can provide unexpected enrichment.

What’s Next?

Beyond Paradise returns on Friday, March 27, at 8 pm on BBC1.

Series four promises more mystery, Celtic folklore, and breathtaking Cornish landscapes.

Summary

Kris Marshall has found a new “paradise” in Cornwall, balancing a thriving career with family life.

While leaving the Caribbean was a major shift, the West Country offers adventure, community, and a fulfilling lifestyle close to home.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Kris Marshall left Guadeloupe in 2017 to prioritize his children’s education in England.
• Beyond Paradise spin-off series set in Cornwall has been a hit since 2023.
• Marshall spends five months a year filming in Devon and Cornwall but values family time and solitude.
• The Cornish town of Looe doubles as the fictional Shipton Abbott, benefiting from filming activity.
• Series four of Beyond Paradise begins with a mysterious case and explores folklore, Celtic culture, and coastal storytelling.