Richard Poole (character)
| Richard Poole | |
|---|---|
|
Ben Miller as Richard Poole | |
| Death in Paradise character | |
| Portrayed by | Ben Miller |
| Duration | 2011-14 |
| First appearance | Series 1, Episode 1 |
| Last appearance | Series 3, Episode 1 |
| Classification | main cast |
| Profile | |
| Occupation | Detective Inspector |
Detective Inspector Richard Poole is a character in the crime drama television series Death in Paradise, portrayed by Ben Miller.
A British inspector assigned to Saint Marie to investigate the previous inspector's murder, Poole was instructed to remain on the island as the new police detective. Despite his distaste for the island and inexperience with tropical weather - to the point where he continued to wear his old suits - he often showed a useful knack for making deductive leaps based on minimal information and random events, and favoured making arrests by addressing all the suspects at once before identifying the killer. In series 2 he grew slightly more relaxed. He recommended Fidel for the sergeant's exam. Despite their frequent arguments over his distaste for the island and the French, his partner, Camille Bordey, may have developed feelings for him as indicated in "A Murder on the Plantation." Her mother, Catherine, had arranged a blind date during the Erzulie celebrations, which Camille briefly mistakes Poole as her date. She seemed happy until until her mistake is realized. Though, another possible explanation could be she was happy to have a drink with a friend rather than be on a date. Ending the season, Poole briefly returned to London, but in spite of his distaste for Saint Marie, he chose to return. Richard was murdered in the first episode of Series 3, at a Cambridge university reunion, by Helen Reid, when he threatened to expose her identity theft, and was replaced by DI Humphrey Goodman.
Poole is an "English eccentric with a hatred for island life".[1] According to Michael Hogan, Poole "harrumphs around Hugh Grant-ishly in his uptight Brit suit and carries a briefcase, endlessly dabbing at his forehead with a hankie." Hogan goes on to argue that Poole is a "bland blend of several dozen "quirky" screen sleuths: a bit of Morse here, a dash of Columbo there, a pinch of Precious Ramotswe and a lug of Jonathan Creek to taste."[2] The episode "An Unholy Death" reveals that he suffers from sphenisciphobia, as a result of a bad experience during his school-boy days.
References
- ↑ Nutkins, Kirsty. "It's trouble in paradise for star Kris Marshall". Sunday Express. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ↑ Hogan, Michael (11 February 2013). "Death in Paradise: how on earth does this get so many viewers?". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 August 2015.