The British crime drama «Death in Paradise» is getting its first international adaptation, with a Croatian version set to bring its signature blend of murder mystery and sun-soaked scenery to the island of Brač. Principal photography is planned for spring 2027, marking the first time the long-running franchise has been reimagined for a non-English-language audience.
The original UK series, produced by Fremantle-owned Red Planet Pictures, has built a devoted following over more than a decade by pairing intricate whodunnit plots with the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie. The Croatian adaptation will relocate that formula to the Adriatic, trading palm-fringed beaches for the rugged coastal landscapes and stone villages of Brač. Producers have promised the new version will retain the core elements that made the original a global hit: «murder mystery, humor, warmth and a strong sense of place.»
That emphasis on locale is central to the franchise's appeal. Each episode of «Death in Paradise» functions as a closed-circle mystery, with a detective outsider navigating local customs while solving a killing. The Croatian team is expected to follow a similar structure, using Brač's geography and culture as more than a backdrop. The island, known for its white-pebble beaches, olive groves and the elevated village of Bol, offers a visually distinct setting that could give the adaptation its own identity while staying true to the original's tone.
The move reflects a broader trend in international television, where successful English-language formats are increasingly remade for local markets. Crime procedurals travel especially well because their episodic structure and universal themes — justice, community, suspicion — translate across borders with minimal friction. For Fremantle, which owns Red Planet Pictures, a Croatian «Death in Paradise» represents a chance to extend a proven brand into a new territory without rebuilding it from scratch.
Details about casting, broadcast partners and episode count have not been announced. The spring 2027 production start suggests the series could reach audiences later that year or in 2028, depending on post-production and scheduling. The Croatian adaptation will be produced in the Croatian language, making it the first non-English entry in the franchise.
For fans of the original, the appeal may lie in seeing how a familiar formula adapts to a different culture and climate. The UK series has already survived cast changes and shifting settings within its fictional universe, proving the concept is flexible. A Croatian version tests whether that flexibility holds across languages and production traditions.
The announcement also highlights Croatia's growing profile as a production hub. The country has attracted international shoots in recent years, and a high-profile adaptation like this could draw further attention to its locations and crews. Brač, already a tourist destination, may see additional visibility once the series airs.
Whether the Croatian «Death in Paradise» will match the original's longevity is impossible to predict. But its greenlight signals confidence that the show's mixture of mystery, humor and escapism can work in a new setting — and that audiences outside the UK are ready for their own version of paradise, with a body count to match.