Death In Paradise actor Kris Marshall has described working on the popular BBC series as “the most brilliant job”.

The story of a quintessential English policeman posted to the fictional Caribbean island of Saint-Marie returns next week.

Talking to the Radio Times, the 42-year-old opened up about the crime drama in which he stars as DI Humphrey Goodman.

Kris Marshall in Death In Paradise
Kris Marshall in Death In Paradise (Denis Guyenon/BBC/Red Planet Pictures)

The cast and crew film the eight-part series on the French island of Guadeloupe for five-and-a-half months a year.

Describing it as akin to “wrapping a sunny blanket around you in January”, he said: “This is the most brilliant job in terms of where we film. That swim after work … There are worse places to be!”

The fourth series ended its run earlier this year with an impressive series average of nearly seven million viewers in the overnight ratings and Kris teased a plot line from an upcoming episode.

He said: “There is a Death In Paradise classic this series. A guy flies in to the island, goes through customs, gets into a taxi, goes to his hotel, locks his room.

“He doesn’t speak to anyone or leave his room and is found murdered. Get yourself out of that, Poirot!” he cried.

The show has enticed notable names from the world of television for guest roles over the years, including Neil Morrissey and Mathew Horne.

Emma Rigby and Joshua Hill in Death In Paradise
Emma Rigby and Joshua Hill in Death In Paradise (Denis Guyenon/BBC/Red Planet Pictures_

Series five will see former EastEnders actor Paul Nicholls, Prisoners’ Wives star Emma Rigby and Poldark’s Heida Reed making appearances.

“The best job in the world is to come out here to Guadeloupe as a guest artist,” Kris stated.

Death In Paradise is broadcast on BBC One at 9pm on January 7.