In a small town on the coast of New South Wales, south of Sydney, DI Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Clarke (Anna Samson) is a detective who’s returned Down Under following a period of time working for the Met Police in London.
After being accused of tampering with evidence she returns to her hometown: the quaintly named Dolphin Cove. Mack certainly doesn’t arrive to a warm welcome – the close-knit town are fuming because she left straight after ditching her ex-fiancé, Glenn Strong (Tai Hara), at the altar.
While Mack might have intended to just head back for a short time, she is quickly drawn back into the policing world. Unfortunately, this also means working with her ex Glenn, who happens to be the town’s resident forensic pathologist. And to make everything even more awkward, her boss is Glenn’s mum Philomena (Catherine McClements). Over the course of the first series her frosty relationships with her colleagues did eventually thaw, and as series two kicks off they seem pleased she’s decided to stick around.
Who stars in Return to Paradise S2?
Anna Samson as Detective Sergeant Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Clarke
Anna Samson as Detective Sergeant Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Clarke in Return to Paradise ©BBC
There are plenty of unresolved feelings for Mackenzie to confront this series, all while continuing her unrivalled record of solving cases. After the difficulties of settling back into Dolphin Cove last year, the community have certainly softened towards Mack. But is she happy with seaside life? ‘She still wants to go back to London and I don’t think she loves being in Dolphin Cove with the beach and the sun, they’re not her thing,’ Anna told TVChoice.
But hopefully Mack will see just how important Dolphin Cove and the precinct are.
British-born Australian actress Anna Samson has worked extensively on stage since she was a teenager. She made her TV debut in 2012 in the miniseries Conspiracy 365, and shot to fame playing Mia Anderson in Home and Away from 2021-2022.
Lloyd Griffith as Senior Constable Colin Cartwright
Lloyd Griffith as Senior Constable Colin Cartwright in Return to Paradise ©BBC
Colin Cartwright was the main detective at the station before Mackenzie moved back and still tries to maintain his senior position – but struggles! ‘Colin and the rest of the cops have learned a lot from Mackenzie,’ Lloyd explains. ‘He’s happy his colleague who is actually quite good at solving these murders is back. And he’s got his friend back. Colin is a lovely, lovely, warm person who will kind of be friends with most people.’ While he might sometimes put his foot in it, there’s no doubt Colin in a kind soul.
Unlike Mack, Brit Colin loves life in Dolphin Cove, and Lloyd feels the same way, ‘I’d never been to Australia before,’ he told us. ‘When they said do you want to go and film there it was a very easy decision – I am more than happy to just move out there!’
Multi-talented comedian, actor, presenter and singer Lloyd Griffith is a familiar face in showbiz. After training as a classical choral singer he moved into stand-up comedy.
Then came his acting career with roles in Ted Lasso (2020-2023), Not Going Out (2021), Brassic (2023) and The Outlaws (2023). He’s also presented sport and comedy faves including Soccer AM (2017-2023) and is well known for his YouTube show Premier League Fan Reactions.
His performance in Return to Paradise was nominated for a silver Logie Award in 2025.
Tai Hara as Glenn Strong
Tai Hara as Glenn Strong in Return to Paradise00:00:00,DESCRIPTION:,COPYRIGHT:Red Planet / BBC Studios,CREDIT LINE:Red Planet / BBC Studios / John Platt ©BBC
Glenn Strong was engaged to Mackenzie, but was left at the altar six years before the first series began – though there is still a connection between the pair. He’s an all-round good bloke, passionate about work and a keen on the outdoor way of life Dolphin Cove offers. Despite admitting he still had feelings for Mack at the end of series two, Glenn is determined to move on with his devoted girlfriend Daisy. Or is he?
‘Without giving anything away, the most challenging part of this season for me comes towards the tail end of the series like in the first season,’ teases Tai. ‘There’s always a crescendo, and the emotional stakes just keep rising.’
Tai Hara made his screen debut in 2011 in American si-fi drama Terra Nova and went on to play Andy Barrett in Home and Away from 2013-2016.
After a part in Colin from Accounts (2022-2024), he went on to appear in Return to Paradise which earned him a Logie Award nomination.
Catherine McClements as Senior Sergeant Philomena Strong
Catherine McClements as Senior Sergeant Philomena Strong in Return to Paradise ©BBC
No nonsense and respected leader Philomena has a complicated relationship with DI Mackenzie because of her previous relationship with Glenn, Philomena’s son. Despite this she can’t help respecting Mack as an intelligent woman who is brilliant at her job.
A familiar face on Australian screens, Catherine McClements actually went to drama school with Baz Luhrmann and they set up an experimental theatre ensemble called Six Years Old which expanded the play Strictly Ballroom into a hugely successful film which won numerous awards.
Catherine made her name in Water Rats (1996-1999) which bagged her a string of awards, as did her role as Christine Williams in the popular series Tangle (2009-2012).
After the first series of Return to Paradise, Catherine won critical acclaim for her roles in multiple 2025 series including Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar, The Survivors and The Family Next Door.
Ardal O’Hanlon as DI Jack Mooney
Ardal O’Hanlon as DI Jack Mooney in Return to Paradise ©BBC
DI Jack Mooney was the lead in Death in Paradise from 2017-2020 and known for his calm, kind demeanour in Saint Marie. When he moved back to London, Jack became Mackenzie’s boss and has delighted fans of the franchise with the crossover.
Comedian, actor and author Ardal won a place in everyone’s hearts as simple Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted (1995-1998) and then again in My Hero (2000-2006).
He starred as DI Jack Mooney in Death in Paradise for four series from 2017-2020.
Andrea Demetriades as Daisy Dixon
Andrea Demetriades as Daisy Dixon in Return to Paradise ©BBC
A bartender in the Dolphin Cove beach club, Daisy found herself in a love triangle she didn’t ask for when she fell for Glenn. She is a perky ray of sunshine, in contrast to the often serious Mack.
Andrea’s big break was as Lina Badir in Crownies (2011). She later appeared in the spin off show Janet King (2014-2017), as well as Squinters (2018-2019) and Mother and Son (2023).
What happens in Return to Paradise S2?
DI Jack Mooney (Ardal O’Hanlon) calls from a gloomy London, ‘I think his character very subtly in our show is a bit magic, he’s almost like a distant fairy godfather,’ Anna tells us. ‘He cares about her and sets things in motion without really realising it and is a small part of the show – but very important.’
Mack reveals she has decided not to head back to the UK and instead wants to tidy up loose ends in her personal life in Australia. Your ex admitting they still have feelings for you ahead of their wedding to someone else can do that to a person!
As someone more familiar with running away from her emotions, staying in Dolphin Cove is a stretch for Mack. Although most Brits in the depths of winter would probably make the same choice even without the love triangle!
As well as some personal growth for Mack there are quirky cases to solve. From a body washing up on the beach in a boat, to the case of a dead rock band member which means the rest of the band are suspects.
There are plenty of questions series two needs to answer, like will Glenn marry Daisy or does Mack have the chance to rekindle things with him? ‘There’s still so much unfinished business,’ Tai tells us. ‘So for her to return, it’s obviously bewildering, but I’d be lying if he isn’t somewhat happy that she’s back as well. It definitely leads to a whole lot more complications.’
What happened in Return to Paradise S1?
As Mackenzie tried to win over the locals and find a way of working with her former boyfriend, she impressed with her talent for solving tricky crimes. And as always in the Paradise franchises, although this may look like an idyllic spot, crime is bubbling away under the surface! There were the murders of a local hairdresser, a drowned estate agent and sudden death at a bowling match.
As well as dealing with emotional cases at work, Mack also had to deal with some pretty complicated feelings of her own, so when a call came from her former boss in London, DI Jack Mooney to say her name had been cleared, it made sense to pack her bags again and head back. After saying her tearful goodbyes she headed to Glenn and his new love Daisy’s engagement party. A bizarre canine plot twist led to Mack finding out Glenn still had feelings for her – and she was forced to admit to herself she felt the same.
This series was a hit in Australia as well as the UK – Return To Paradise won the Silver Logie award for Best Drama at the Australian 2025 Logie Awards, which are a bit like the British National TV Awards. ‘We actually found out about the nominations while we were filming Season Two,’ reveals Tai. ‘To be recognised and validated in the industry was wonderful – and it meant we got to celebrate with all of our cast and crew. We really are a family and it’s a joy to work with those people every day. We were just over the moon.’
How does Return to Paradise fit in with Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise?
Affectionately known by fans as the Paraverse, Return to Paradise followed another popular Death in Paradise spin off, Beyond Paradise. All the shows are related through the same format – crimes being solved in beautiful surroundings within tight-knit communities. In each the stunning scenery is key as well as the gentle humour and interactions of the extended cast.
‘I think all of the cases have a smack of impossibility to them in the Paraverse,’ Anna tells TVChoice. ‘How can that happen? That’s almost without exception every episode, and the way the detective is able to answer that impossible question is why we watch it.’
There are also character cameos – in the case of Return to Paradise we see former Death in Paradise lead Ardal O’Hanlon playing the part of Mack’s London boss. Previous Death in Paradise lead Kris Marshall, now the focus of Beyond Paradise, had previously been lined up to appear in Return to Paradise but the team couldn’t pull off the filming dates sadly.
‘I would love to do something with all of us, all of the detectives from the Paraverse,’ says Anna. ‘I don’t know what, even just a dinner, but there’s something about wanting to cross those worlds that’s really appealing. It would be hysterical – would any of them even talk except Kris Marshall?’ We are praying to the TV gods to make this happen!
Where can I watch Return to Paradise S2?
Head over to BBC iPlayer to catch up with all the action in Dolphin Cove.
Caroline Blight has been interviewing famous TV faces for magazines and radio since she was a teenager and grown up with some of our faves on film sets and in posh hotels – safe to say they are doing better than her, but who is having the most fun?
