#interview updates

Archie’s back in Shipton Abbott. How did it feel returning to the world of Beyond Paradise?

I couldn’t have been more delighted when Tim Key, our executive producer, suggested we meet for lunch in London. He pitched a storyline to me that would bring Archie back. It really surprised me - it wasn’t what I was expecting. I love that part of the world and I love all the people involved. It’s such a warm-hearted work environment. The vibe you get on-screen is very much echoed behind the camera. So for me it was a no-brainer! The storyline was really fun, and I liked what Archie had to do this time. The character had moved on, he’s matured and learned from his previous heartaches. Hopefully viewers will enjoy the ride.

What has Archie been up to since we last saw him?

It’s not explicitly stated in the story but in my head Archie has been away licking his wounds. He’s a man of independent means - he runs a vineyard and a big business and is very hands-on with that. But he’s also taken some time to travel, to explore the wine business in other parts of the world and to reflect. He’s a middle-aged man, single, and he’s had many opportunities in life but he’s burned some bridges along the way. I think he’s done a bit of maturing and comes back to Shipton Abbott as someone who’s ready to be more responsible, vulnerable, and open to new opportunities.

Archie was determined to move on from Martha. Where do we find him now in terms of his feelings for her?

I think Archie will always have more than just a soft spot for Martha. They’re childhood friends and their families know each other. They’re from the same part of the world and they almost got married! That history will never change.

For the record, I don’t think Archie was a bad guy in the first series. This is the challenge of being in a drama where you’re not the lead character and everyone’s rooting for Humphrey. In another show, Archie’s show, everyone would be rooting for him and Martha. I don’t think Archie did anything wrong. He tried his hand. He’s a middle-aged man and, if you sit on the sidelines your whole life, you’ll stay there. He ducked out when asked to duck out and I think he did it with dignity.

But now, hopefully, they can find a way for their relationship to evolve and become what it needs to be in the future. But that’s something to be explored throughout this series - whether they can develop a new kind of relationship that fits their lives today.

What might future relationships hold for Archie?

He’s come back ready for other relationships. He’s not the kind of man who’s happy being a “solo traveler” through life - he’s looking for partnership. And without spoiling too much, he will give it a go somewhere in Shipton Abbott this season.

Did you enjoy returning to Devon and Cornwall for filming? Were there any particular shooting locations that stood out to you?

The first time I visited Cornwall it was for my 13th birthday and I read Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier there. The romance of Cornwall has never left me. The smuggling, pirates, shipwrecks, fishing industry, tin mines, scenery, surfing… And I’m a golfer, so Cornwall has many lures for me.

Beyond Paradise is such a well-crafted, warm and engaging piece of television. It’s a no-brainer for me to return. I couldn’t wait to revisit Looe, which I have a real soft spot for. This time, I discovered Polperro a bit more. I love running and walking along the cliffs, I’m a bit of a fitness freak. My Cornwall routine is running on the cliffs and exploring. I stayed near Talland Bay where I’d swim in the mornings before work. It’s stunning.

I also caught up with an old English teacher of mine, Mr. Venning. He taught me Animal Farm and was a big inspiration. He’s from the area and we had coffee at the Smugglers’ Hotel. He shared some local lore which was fascinating.

What can audiences look forward to this series?

More of the same but even better and different. The “case of the week” stories are quirky, funny, and moving-everything you’d expect from Beyond Paradise! But for me, the real heart of the show is the relationships and character arcs. The main characters all have rich, evolving storylines. They’re three-dimensional - navigating love, loss, illness and life’s ups and downs. That’s where Archie operates. He’s part of that beating heart of the show. I have a confession though, I don’t even read the case scripts! I only focus on Archie’s storyline so I can watch the episodes like a viewer and discover the cases as they unfold. Archie doesn’t know about the police work anyway, so it’s fitting!

But yes, the show’s special because it balances technical, clever mysteries with deep character stories. That’s what makes it stand out.

What Others Have Said:

Kris Marshall (DI Humphrey Goodman)

Archie returns this season. How does this affect Humphrey?

Humphrey doesn’t feel threatened by Archie’s return. He’s always been a confident and emotionally strong person, and he’s very secure in his relationship with Martha. In past series, his issues stemmed from Archie working so closely with Martha but this time, Humphrey isn’t concerned. He’s more bemused than anything else. He isn’t losing sleep over it and is accepting of the situation.

What’s it like working with Jamie Bamber?

Working with Jamie is fantastic. It’s nice to have another actor of a similar age and experience on set, especially since we have both been in the industry since the 90s. While we didn’t know each other well back then, we have a lot of mutual friends, and it’s great to have someone around who shares that history. Jamie is a seasoned actor and a lovely person who brings a lot of fun to the set. We get along really well and it’s always a pleasure working with him.

Sally Bretton (Martha Lloyd)

Archie’s back on the scene. How does this make Martha feel?

Martha’s completely fine with Archie being around as long as Humphrey is okay with it. She likes him, but she’s clear that their past is firmly in the past. There’s mutual respect and closeness between them but absolutely no romance. It’s all very platonic. Working with Jamie (Bamber) is always a joy. He’s such a talented actor and I love doing scenes with him. He brings so much to the table, so it’s always fun to share those moments on screen.

Barbara Flynn (Anne Lloyd)

Is there a particular episode or scene in this series that stands out to you?

Jamie Bamber is no stranger to crime dramas, having played detectives in gritty ITV1 series Law & Order: UK, Marcella and DI Ray. But for his current role in BBC1’s sun-dappled whodunnit show Beyond Paradise, the actor is enjoying a rather different beat as dashing vineyard owner Archie Hughes, who is far more interested in sampling fine wines that solving complex cases! As the Death In Paradise spin-off continues this week, Archie and his business partner - and ex-fiancée! - Martha Lloyd (played by Sally Bretton) welcome a food critic into their cafe, hoping it could boost the fledging enterprise’s fortunes. All the while, it’s clear that Archie is harbouring feelings for his former flame, who is now happily engaged to DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall). Here, in an exclusive interview, Jamie, 49, tells TV Times why he’s relishing causing a stir in the (fictional) Devon town of Shipton Abbott...

The fourth episode feels like a turning point for Archie and Martha’s business, but he seems very distracted by his feelings for her, doesn’t he?

Yes, Archie is someone who’s living with regret. Martha is the one that got away, and it has taken him a fair few years to realise that that was the opportunity of his life. He’s a very successful guy with a lot of options; he’s been privileged from birth and he’s made the most of that. But I think the one thing he feels he maybe didn’t appreciate when he had it was Martha. And lo and behold, there she is!

When Archie originally offered to invest in Martha’s new cafe, was he genuinely trying to help or was there an ulterior motive?

A lot of times in life, we’re not entirely clear what our motivations are for different things that we do - they don't necessarily have to be one thing or the other. I think Archie enjoys the fact that she’s come back to Shipton Abbot, and he likes her and is attracted to her, he he likes Humphrey, too. When he met Humphrey, he was pleasantly surprised! Archie wants to be part of Martha’s new life, but whether he's planning to somehow come between the two of them, I don’t think it’s as cut and dry as that.

Are you worried about how viewers might react if Archie does cause probelms for much-loved couple Martha and Humphrey?

Obviously, the character is treading a fine line, but I am very secure in the knowledge that Beyond Paradise is an extremely well-put-together, accomplished piece of television writing. It’s still a ‘will they, won’t they?’ story in some regards, and Archie is a part of that dynamic. It depends on who you side with as to who you root for!

We hear there’s a big storyline for Archie in next week’s penultimate episode. Can you share any teasers with us?

It’s really fun! Like most of these multi-arc TV formats, each episode stands alone but there are various intrigues that last the series, so the nearer you get to the end, the more there is at stake. Episode five is great, because Archie is involved in the case of the week - and he is a suspect...’

Intriguing! Did you enjoy working with the other cast members on the series?

Yes, it was an absolute pleasure. And Sally and I got on very well from the first moment we met, which is important. Barbara Flynn [who plays Martha’s mum, Anne Lloyd] is a legend - she’s cheeky and has a glint in her eye that’s great fun to bounce off! It’s the same with Sally and Kris, too. They’re all accomplished comedic actors, and that was a real boon for me.

The show was filmed on location in Devon and Cornwall. Were you able to fit in any sightseeing?

Yes, I fell in love with Looe, in Cornwall, in particular,which is the main stand-in for Shipton Abbot; I thought it was beguiling in every way. My wife [Bad Girls star Kerry Norton] happened to e shooting a thing on the north coast of Cornwall, so she came down to Looe and we were able to do some walks along the coast and go out for meals. I played quite a bit of golf, too, because I was put up in the lovely [village of] St Merryn, which has some great courses!

Talking of filming in beautiful places... Would you like to see Archie pop up in Caribbean-set sister series Death In Paradise for a crossover one day?

That would be fantastic! I’m not overly familiar with Death In Paradise, having lived abroad for the bulk of it’s run, but I’ve seen enough to know that it’s a global success, and it’s super-fun to be part of its little baby sister show here. I couldn’t be prouder to be involved, and if that involvement continued in any way, I would be delighted for a crossover. And on a ‘Jamie and family’ level, a trip to Guadeloupe [Where Death in Paradise is filmed] would be great!

Last year, you played DCI Martyn Hunter in police procedural DI Ray, and before that Sam Wright in ITV1’s 2021 drama Innocent - both characters who seemed lovely but were later found to be harbouring dark secrets. Do you like taking on roles that shock viewers?

I really enjoyed both of those shows, and, yes, I spotted the same pattern - and it goes back even further to Marcella [Jamie played DI Tim Williamson in the first two seasons of the drama, from 2016 to 2018]. There’s clearly a thing going on with me and telly! I don’t know how much of that is move systemic in terms of casting and tropes, but any time you get to play ambiguity and wrong-foot an audience is always fun! But I’m not going to give anything away about where Archie ends up...

What are your next projects?

Death In Paradise spin-off Beyond Paradise has given us the chance to see DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) relocate from Saint Marie to be with his fiancée Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) in her hometown of Shipton Abbott, on the Devonshire coast.

While Humphrey works with the local police, Martha has fulfilled her dream of opening Ten Mile Kitchen. But their happy ever after hit an unexpected bump in the road with the arrival of Archie Hughes, Martha’s new business partner - and ex-fiancée! ‘Archie doesn’t want to intrude,’ says Jamie Bamber. ‘But actually, it’s Martha and Humphrey who have walked into his world. Archie belongs there and has made a successful career. She’s the one that who went away.’

The owner of three vineyards, Archie became Martha’s saviour on the eve of the café’s opening after she ran into financial difficulties. Now he's involved in the business. And this week when a food critic reviews the eaterie, he hints at a bond between the pair. ‘Archie’s slightly egotistic side is flattered that a stranger can see their chemistry and he quite enjoys that affirmation, in a male pride kind of way. He’s got nothing in life that’s out of place - until he sees Marta again and realises that maybe this is the one thing he got wrong. But she is so in love with Humph, so that’s complicated. In any story you need obstacles and Archie is an obstacle to them.’

For Jamie, joining the series was a joy. ‘I haven’t done any shows, before, that the whole family can sit down to on a Friday evening. This is deliberately a broad audience. There’s a great whodunnit, the denouement is different from your average TV closed-room murders as the crimes are a bit more inventive.’

With Archie being a vineyard owner, did Jamie brush up on his wine knowledge? ‘Actually, when I was a student, I worked in a fine wine shop in London. I’ve also lived in France and travelled around and visited a few vineyards. For me, wine is a metaphor for having your feet in the soil. It can be overblown and overcomplicated and made fancy but fundamentally, wine is a crop and that’s a great analogy for Archie. He’s a simple bloke who’s got quite a sophisticated lifestyle because of the means he has.’

While Devon an Cornwall is a beautiful part of the world, are there any regrets there was no trip to Guadeloupe? ‘Funnily enough, I’d been offered to do Death In Paradise before but it didn’t work with my schedules. Maybe Archie can go there on holiday?’

Heat Magazine

This new crime show declared itself to be the first English-language “police procedural” drama produced and set on the French Riviera since the 197-s although its thunder was rather stolen by Britbox’s Murder In Province, which was made later but aired first. Set on Côte d’Azur, this one focuses on the unlikely crime-fighting partnership between idealistic cop Camille Delmasse (Lucie Lucas, Gloria) and ex-mafia con artist Harry King (Jamie Bamber, Battlestar Galactica) who solve a murder case each week, while Lucie hunts for the criminals who framed her police hero dad.

NZ Listener

We rather approve of all these cosy crime series set in exotic locations - or just ones with great weather, really. The Mallorca Files (BBC UKTV, Wednesday), for example, or this new one that is said to be the first English-language procedural to be produced in Cannes in more than 50 years. (Riviera presumably doesn’t count as it’s not a procedural.) Lucie Lucas is the local detective who teams up with a former con artist and Englishman played by Jamie Bamber. The show is created by Chris Murray, known for his work on Midsomer Murders, Agatha Raisin and the rebooted Van Der Valk.

Radio Times

There’s something for everyone in this Riviera detective show: great hair, chiselled jaws, luxury locations, sexual tension. And it’s this last element between its lead characters, detective Camille Delmasse (Lucie Lucas) and slightly shady Harry King (Jamie Bamber) that’s most dominant. Bamber’s con-artist grifts will put some viewers in mind of Pierce Brosnan in Remington Steele. Appropriately enough, as Bamber (in a tux in a casino) looks like he’s auditioning for James Bond.

Total TV Guide

This is all delightfully To Catch A Thief and Moonlighting. It revolves around the bickering yet flirtatious relationship between detective Camille Delmasse (Lucie Lucas) and international conman Harry King (Jamie Bamber), solving crimes on the French Riviera. Meanwhile Camille’s colleague Lea Robert (Shy’m), has a secret crush on her...

What’s On TV

Picture Cannes and you’ll probably imagine an azure ocean, the annual film festival or multimillionaires sunbathing on superyachts - but Acorn TV’s six-part romantic crime drama Cannes Confidential is hoping to make it synonymous with screwball comedy and a ‘will they, won’t the? central pairing.

Detective Camille Delmasse (Lucie Lucas) is having a challenging day when she collides with debonair art collector Harry King (Beyond Paradise’s Jamie Bamber) on the Boulevard de la Croisette, wrecking her beloved classic car in the process. Already irritated by the smooth-talking stranger, Camille’s day goes from bad to worse as she and her colleague Léa Robert (Tamara Marthe) investigate the murder of a street artist known as the Jester, only to find themselves crossing paths with Harry...

He pops us everywhere within the town, infuriating her,’ reveals Bamber. ‘They get off on the wrong foot, and the bickering and badinage, an that energy between two people with sexual chemistry finding each other intolerable was what drew me in.’ It soon becomes clear that there’s much more to Harry than he’s willing to let on to anyone, but as Camille comes close to finding out what he’s really up to, he proposes a mutually-beneficial alliance between the two of them.

PIVOTAL PACT

‘When Harry finds out she’s a policewoman, it’s a problem for him because he’s got something to hide,’ says Bamber, 50. ‘But he also happens to know a lot of the characters involved in the supposed wrongful imprisonment of her dad, the former chief of police, so they each have something that the other needs.

‘They have a quick agreement, a sort of poisoned chalice that they each take a sip from, and from that moment, they become more dependent on each other.’

Bamber likens the show to ‘the love child of Moonlighting, The Persuaders! and Miami Vice’ with its compelling blend of a feuding odd couple at its centre and solving crimes in scenic locations, but Cannes Confidential has a few more twists up its sleeve... ‘Léa, Camille’s police partner has designs on her as well,’ explains Bamber. ‘So you’ve got this odd love triangle at the heart of the show, each angle of the triangle antagonising the other.’

For avowed Francophile Bamber, who speaks fluent French, the lure of filming on location in and around Cannes proved impossible to resist - as was the opportunity to deploy his skills for the show’s French-language version. ‘The language was a big deal, because you’ve got a mostly French cast who are working in English and they were real troopers,’ says Bamber. ‘But they shoe was on the other foot when we dubbed into French - I was allowed to dub my own part, but that was when the French actors really came to the fore!’

Catching criminals isn’t often a glamorous business, but when your patch covers the sun-kissed streets of Cannes in the south of France, it definitely helps! In Acorn TV’s new six-part romantic crime crime drama Cannes Confidential, no-nonsense detective Camille Delmasse (French actor Lucie Lucas) is having a stressful day when she collides with charismatic art collector Harry King (Beyond Paradise favourite Jamie Bamber). For Camille, it’s hate at first sight - but as she keeps encountering Harry while investigating the murder of a famous street artists, the barbed banter between the two takes a flirtatious turn. Could some French kisses be on the cards? TV Times joined Jamie, 50, for an exclusive chat...

What can you tell us about your character?

When we meet Harry, he has an accident with Camille on the street - he’s on a bike an she’s in a car - and he fins himself gradually implicated in this case she’s investigating. You don’t really know anything about him, and we slowly suss that he’s probably up to no good The character reminds me of the Pink Panther movies, and Cary Grant films like To Catch A Thief [1955]. Harry keeps popping up in town and infuriating Camille, so they get off on the wrong foot. The badinage was what drew me in - that sexual chemistry between two people who find each other intolerable!

How quickly did you develop that chemistry with Lucie on set?

It was easy; Lucie’s so open to ideas and she’s got tremendous energy. When Harry finds out that Camille is a police officer, it’s a problem for him as he;s trying to hide a secret from her. But he happens to know a lot of the characters involved in the supposed wrongful imprisonment of her dad, the former chief of police, so they have something that the other needs. The make a quick agreement, and from that moment, they gradually get more dependent on each other as they become this odd couple that works together solving crimes.

What are your favourite shows featuring mismatched partners-in-crime-solving?

Moonlighting is the one I remember from my era, with Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis [the American comedy drama ran for five seasons between 1985 an 1989]. The chemistry was hilarious, and the writing brilliant. The Persuaders! [ITV’s 1970 action comedy is another, Actually, the genesis of this show is that the producers were trying to buy the rights to remake that, but, for one reason or another, the couldn’t, so they thought they’d invent something different, which, at it’s heart, had little nods towards Tony Curtis and Roger Moore running around Côte d’Azur. But, obviously, they changed it completely!

Was it an easy decision for you to sign up for a show where you’d be filming in a location in beautiful Cannes?

I’m a big Francophile and I’ve lived in France quite a bit over my lifetime, so anything that gets me over the Channel for a couple of months is something I will entertain, for sure! But it was more that that. I’ve played some quite dark, dramatic roles - [American sci-fi series] Battlestar Galactica and [ITV crime thriller] Marcella spring to mind straight away - and I feel like I’m a much lighter person than that. This guy felt a bit closer to who I am - not so much the potential con man, although I’m a multinational so, like Harry, I do have multiple passports [laughs]!

How hot was the weather during the shoot?

The most challenging thing I had to deal with was wearing a three-piece suit in the sunshine for three months, and trying not to ruin it with perspiration! Pascale Rodi, my dresser, did amazing work with portable fans, whipping one shirt off and drying it while I wore the other one. It was fun to play a dapper character, but he’s meant to be cool and not sweating all the time, so keeping the clothing dry was hard!

Did you get to shoot scenes in some exciting places?

I didn’t know this, but even the word ‘Cannes’, because of the film festival, is copyrighted, so you have to get permission to use it. But in doing that, we had the mayor’s office on our side, so we had access to some of the more extraordinary locations. We shot in Le Majestic hotel for two weeks - the presidential suite blew my mind; it had a private swimming pool. I found myself there for a couple of days with my own room - that could never happen any other way!

Could you squeeze in some sightseeing on your days off?

The work schedule was pretty heavy, but we had weekends. My daughter [Jamie shares three girls with his wife, Kerry Norton] had just finished her A levels, so she came out and we drove across the border into Italy, which was lovely. I didn’t do too much tourist stuff around Cannes because I know it pretty well but we went to the beaches and had nice dinners. I also played a bit of golf, which I love to do, and I found a tennis coach, too. I had a good time filming this, I can’t lie!

PERFECT PARADISE