Martha and Humphrey have their hands full in Beyond Paradise as they continue their fostering journey. As if this wasn’t enough, a surprise return may rattle them.

After two years of absence, one Beyond Paradise star has decided to return to the BBC show for its third series(Image: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Joss Barratt )

While Humphrey continues to solve crime in the third season of Beyond Paradise, Martha faces an array of challenges in the popular drama.

DI Humphrey Goodman is back for another season of the popular Death In Paradise spin-off, with actors Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton reprising their roles as the loved-up couple.

Last year, Humphrey and Martha left BBC One viewers stunned when they decided against tying the knot, despite their engagement. But their relationship couldn’t be any stronger.

“They’re in a really good spot together,” Sally says. “They’re very busy but happy,” says Sally. Martha has her hands full this season as she relaunches her restaurant Ten Mile Kitchen, unaware that her mother Anne is set for a huge obstacle of her own this season.

Adding drama to the intrigue, Martha’s ex-fiancé, Archie (Jamie Bamber), makes an unexpected return – this time with a business proposal.

Jamie, 51, was last seen in Beyond Paradise’s first season, when Archie and Humphrey’s rivalry reached a boiling point. After locking horns, it seemed like Archie’s chapter had come to an end. But when executive producer Tim Key pitched the idea of a return, Jamie was intrigued.

Archie was last seen coming to blows with Humphrey – but will he come between the detective and Martha? (Image: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Joss Barratt )

“Archie was always one of Humphrey and Martha’s obstacles,” the Battlestar Galactica alum says, “You can’t have the same obstacle forever. And it was true to Archie’s character without repeating what we’d already seen

One key change? Archie isn’t here to win Martha back. Having spent time in Australia refining his wine-making skills, he’s accepted that their romance is over. Instead, he sets his sights on a different kind of connection – as sparks begin to fly between him and DS Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi).

“He’s successful in many areas of his life, but not in relationships,” Jamie says. “Maybe this time will be different, or maybe he’ll make the same mistakes.”

Regardless of where the storyline takes him, Jamie was thrilled to be back on set. “It’s one of the happiest casts and crews I’ve ever worked with.” He’s especially drawn to the show’s fresh take on police drama. “Why do police shows always have to be about dead bodies?” he says. “Most police work isn’t murder investigations – solving the puzzle should be enough.”

Actor Jamie Bamber has teased sparks with Humphrey’s partner on the force, Esther Williams(Image: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Joss Barratt )

Adding to the tension is Martha’s mother, Anne (Barbara Flynn), who returns to Devon from a failed relationship only to face a health scare. But instead of turning to her daughter for support, Anne withdraws, reluctant to burden Martha further. “Anne takes a step back because Martha has so much going on,” Barbara says, “She doesn’t want to add to her stress.”

Unfortunately, the secrecy only leads to more trouble. It takes a push from Zoe (Melina Sinadinou) before Anne finally confesses her health concerns, but by then, Martha is already seething that she didn’t come to her sooner.

“Martha’s fiercely protective of the people she loves,” Sally says, “When she finds out Anne’s sick, she gives her a hard time. But it’s because she doesn’t want Anne going through things alone.” Not that Anne will take kindly to being mothered by her daughter: “There’s no way Anne will let Martha parent her,” Sally says.

Despite the aura of conflict their bond remains unbreakable. “They drive each other mad,” Sally says, “But they’re incredibly close. Anne puts Martha back in her place, and they find their equilibrium again.” But how will Archie fit into this? And could it mean trouble for Humphrey and Martha?