Death in Paradise star Don Warrington has two famous sons who have followed him into entertainment
Death in Paradise favourite Don Warrington is a father to two well-known sons – but who are they?
The beloved detective series is currently broadcasting its 15th season on BBC One, with DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) continuing his work solving a series of puzzling murders on the island of Saint Marie.
The cast includes Shantol Jackson, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, and Élizabeth Bourgine, who portray Naomi Thomas, Sebastian Rose, and Catherine Bordey, respectively. The latest season has also introduced a new sergeant called Mattie Fletcher (Catherine Garton), alongside numerous high-profile guest stars.
Don Warrington made a welcome comeback to the programme as Selwyn Patterson this year, following the commissioner’s apparent departure at the conclusion of season 14. In what appeared to be his farewell moments, Selwyn urged Mervin to repair his relationship with his brother and shared an emotional parting with Catherine, reports the Express.
Don Warrington plays Selwyn Patterson(Image: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Philippe Virapin)
READ MORE: Death in Paradise star reprises beloved role as they say ‘it was wonderful’READ MORE: Death in Paradise exit ‘sealed’ for new detective as fans ‘work out’ replacement
Viewers were therefore thrilled when the established character reappeared in the Beyond Paradise 2025 Christmas special, before making his way back to Saint Marie.
Whilst Selwyn remains instrumental in assisting Mervin with his cases, some Death in Paradise fans might be taken aback to discover that actor Don is father to two celebrated sons. The 74-year-old performer shares sons Jake and Archie with his wife, Mary Maddocks.
Archie has built a notable career in entertainment as both a playwright and stand-up comedian. His first production, Shirts Vs Skins, garnered widespread acclaim and positive reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2016, before he embarked on a South African tour the subsequent year.
His follow-up performance, IlluminArchie, similarly impressed reviewers, resulting in its move to London’s Soho Theatre in 2017 and subsequently to the Vault Festival in 2018.
Archie Maddocks is a playwright and comedian(Image: Instagram/@archiemaddocks)
Throughout his career, Archie has earned significant recognition for his contributions, reaching the finals of both the New Acts of the Year and English Comedian of the Year competitions in 2014. His television credits include appearances on the panel programme Guessable, whilst he has also contributed as a writer to shows including Intergalactic and Gassed Up.
Meanwhile, Don’s other son, Jake, has pursued a path closer to his father’s acting legacy. His credits include a prominent role in the 2012 James Bond instalment Skyfall, alongside appearances in television dramas such as Grace, Vera and The Sandman.
Additionally, Jake shared the screen with his father in a notable 2022 guest spot on Death in Paradise.
In that particular episode, Jake portrayed Gabriel Taylor, a character whose daughter Clarissa (Karise Yansen) became the victim of a kidnapping. Gabriel faced a ransom demand for money, which he swiftly met in his efforts to secure his daughter’s safe return.
Jake Fairbrother guest starred in Death in Paradise(Image: BBC)
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website
Beyond their shared appearance in Saint Marie, the father-and-son pair have also performed in theatrical productions within the same city. Jake famously appeared in The Maids at HOME Manchester, whilst his father was performing nearby at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Death of a Salesman.
It appears that performing prowess runs in the family, as Don’s wife, Mary, is also an actress who has featured in the West End production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Discussing his gifted parents in a 2018 conversation with Quays Life, Jake remarked: “The main thing I get from both of them is they understand the art of performance and the need to perform. It’s not something you choose to do. It’s something that you can’t not do.”
Friday’s (February 27) instalment of Death in Paradise will feature a cast member being poisoned whilst performing in The Tempest, after consuming wine from a contaminated bottle. However, the investigation team are left baffled as to why the remaining actors remained unharmed. Will Mervin and his colleagues solve the puzzle?
Death in Paradise continues on BBC One at 9pm on Friday, February 27
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.devonlive.com ’
