Full Breakdown
Zahra Ahmadi Praises South West Filming and Confirms Fifth Series of BBC's Beyond Paradise
5/25/2026, 1:08:27 PM
Filming the Fourth Series
The fourth series of the BBC crime drama *Beyond Paradise* was filmed in Looe, Launceston, Saltash and Tavistock in England’s South West. The fictional town of Shipton Abbott uses Looe as its stand-in. Actress Zahra Ahmadi, who plays Detective Sergeant Esther Williams, called the experience “just heaven” and said the scenery was “quite difficult to put into words just how beautiful it is.” Series emphasizes the region’s “crystal-clear” water, “sheer number of greens” and blooming flowers.
Cast and Production
Zahra Ahmadi leads the on-screen police team with Kris Marshall, who plays Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman. The programme is produced by Red Planet Pictures for the BBC. In final episode of series four, the character Zoe Williams—an established fan favourite—departed after an emotional farewell, underscoring the show’s focus on community-based policing.
Official Statements & Responses
During a BBC interview, Ahmadi confirmed a fifth series has been green-lit, calling the news “the icing on the cake.” She later told BBC Sounds she had “permission to say that we have got a fifth series” and was “called Head Girl on set,” authorising her comment. By contrast, Marshall earlier disclosed that filming for series five would begin shortly, which the BBC later called “premature” and “undisciplined.” The differing statements show network’s controlled communication strategy.
Series Data
Series 4 was filmed in Looe, Launceston, Saltash and Tavistock; fictional Shipton Abbott is portrayed by Looe. Four series have aired, and series 5 is confirmed without a release date. Production is by Red Planet Pictures for the BBC.
Renewal Conflict
Sources differ on who was first authorized to announce the renewal. Ahmadi’s BBC Sounds interview says she received explicit permission, while Marshall’s earlier comment suggests no clearance. No official BBC press release confirming the renewal date has been cited, leaving filming schedule and broadcast timeline undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The colour of the water when I was in Cape Cornwall the other day, it's crystal clear, it's blue, especially now in spring when everything's coming alive.” — Zahra Ahmadi, Actress
- “? "The sheer number of greens that exist, the flowers are all in bloom, the birds are out - it is just heaven.” — Zahra Ahmadi, Actress
- “I have been given permission to say that we have got a fifth series.” — Zahra Ahmadi, Actress
Future Outlook
Production for series 5 is slated to begin in the coming months, though the BBC has not announced a premiere date. The continuation will keep its focus on community policing within stylised Devon setting, preserving visual emphasis on South West landscape highlighted by the cast.
