Four co-workers wake up on the morning after the Christmas party and discover a stranger shot dead in the pool of the villa. While the murder weapon is quickly identified – surely the case should be wrapped up in no time? – there’s a major catch: the weapon was locked away in a drawer thousands of miles from the crime scene.
That’s exactly the kind of twist we’ve come to expect from the BBC’s flagship cosy crime drama Death in Paradise, and its 2025 Christmas special promises nothing less.
Here’s how to watch the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special online from anywhere with a VPN.
Watch the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special online
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Premiere: Sunday, December 28 at 8:30pm GMT |
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FREE stream: BBC iPlayer (UK) |
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International stream: BritBox |
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Use NordVPN to watch any stream |
The four suspects all claim they’ve never met the victim, leaving DI Mervin Wilson and his team, including DS Naomi Thomas and Officer Sebastian Rose, to uncover whether they’re telling the truth. Adding to the festive mystery is one particularly mind-boggling clue: the killer has inked the name of one of Santa’s reindeer onto the victim’s palm.
Interestingly, DI Mervin isn’t quite at his best, still reeling from unresolved personal matters. His mind is occupied by the fact that the half-brother he discovered just months ago still hasn’t replied. But the island of Saint Marie – and his team – need him. Can he put on his detective hat and work his usual magic?
Thankfully, it’s not all grim or melancholic. The sun-soaked Saint Marie backdrop delivers the perfect tropical holiday vibe, balanced by Death in Paradise’s trademark humor and its unique ability to pull audiences in both emotionally and comedically.
Read on to learn how watch the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special online, from anywhere and potentially for FREE.
How to watch Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas Special for free in the UK
Viewers in the UK have an extra special gift because not only are they the first to be able to watch the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special on Sunday, December 28, but they can do so completely FREE on BBC iPlayer.
The episode will air at 8.30pm on TV (BBC One, for which you’ll need a valid TV license, naturally) and on BBC iPlayer, and will be available to stream on-demand afterwards.
Not at home over the holidays? Use a VPN to access you usual streaming services from abroad.
How to watch the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special from abroad
For those away from home looking to watch the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special, you’ll be unable to watch the show as normal if you’re outside the UK due to regional restrictions. Luckily, there’s an easy solution.
Downloading a VPN allows you to stream geo-blocked services online, no matter where you are. It’s a simple bit of software that changes your IP address, meaning that you can access on-demand content or live TV just as if you were at home. Our favorite is NordVPN.
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How to watch the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special online in the UK
In the UK, the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special is set to air on BBC One, at 8:30pm on Sunday, December 28.
It will also be available to stream FREE on BBC iPlayer as it airs and on-demand. Viewers can also binge all previous episodes, including Christmas specials, on the service right now as well as spin-off series Beyond Paradise and Return to Paradise.
Away from the UK right now? Just use a VPN to alter your IP address so you can stream your favorite TV shows and films online just like you would at home.
How to watch the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special online in the US, Australia and Canada
BritBox is the international home of Death in Paradise and will offer the latest festive special globally over the holiday season.
In the US, BritBox costs $10.99 per month, Canadian prices start at CA$10.99 while for Aussies it’s AU$13.99. It’s worth noting that you can save some bucks by opting for the annual plan, which typically offers 12 months for the price of 10.
BritBox also offers a 7-day free trial, so you can try out the service before committing.
Brit abroad? Anyone travelling overseas who wants to watch their usual streaming service from abroad can do so by using a VPN.
What you need to know about the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special
When is the the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special release date?
The Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special premieres for FREE in the U.K. on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, December 28 at 8:30pm GMT. It’ll stream on BritBox internationally with viewers in Australia able to stream from Monday, December 29 while North Americans can tune in shortly after (or early January).
What can we expect from the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special?
The official synopsis from the BBC reads: “The office Christmas party of a lifetime takes a dark turn when four co-workers wake up with the hangover from hell to find a stranger shot dead in the pool of their villa. DI Mervin Wilson and the team identify the murder weapon, but they’re left baffled after discovering that it was locked in a drawer when the shooting took place… thousands of miles away from the crime scene, in Swindon!”
Who is in the cast of the Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special?
- Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson
- Don Warrington as Selwyn Patterson
- Shantol Jackson as DS Naomi Thomas
- Ginny Holder as Officer Darlene Curtis
- Elizabeth Bourgine as Catherine Bordey
- Shaquille Ali-Yebuah as Officer Sebastian Rose
- Josie Lawrence as Marjorie Dodds
- James Baxter as Gavin Bradbury
- Kate Ashfield as Helen Dugdale
- Pearl Mackie as Karen Hickson
- Billy Harris as Neil Dugdale
- Alix Serman as Darrian St Jules
- Oriana Charles as Ashley Simms
Are there any Death in Paradise spin-off Christmas specials?
There are two Death in Paradise spin-offs: the Kris Marshall-fronted Beyond Paradise and the Australian-set Return to Paradise.
Beyond Paradise aired its 2025 Christmas special in the UK on December 21, and it’s currently available to stream on BBC One and iPlayer.
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