Return To Paradise viewers all asked the same question about lead character DI Mackenzie Clarke as the new BBC show launched on Friday. 

The series is an Australian spin-off of the popular crime drama Death in Paradise and sees DI Mackenzie return to her home town after six years of working for The Met in London.

But eagle eyed fans were confused about the reaction Mackenzie, played by Anna Sampson, received from other characters as most appeared to not like her. 

Viewers were left wondering why she had left a sour taste in Dolphin Cove – and why she had left London.  

Later in the episode, fans also shared their delight as Death In Paradise fan favourite Jack Mooney made a cameo as Mackenzie’s former line manager back at The Metropolitan Police.

Return To Paradise viewers all asked the same question about lead character DI Mackenzie Clarke as the new BBC show launched on Friday

Later in the episode, fans also shared their delight as Death In Paradise fan favourite Jack Mooney made a cameo as Mackenzie’s former line manager back at The Metropolitan Police

Jack, played by Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon, appeared in Return To Paradise from his job in London and appeared to shed light on Mackenzie’s mysterious departure. 

Curious as to the mystery surrounded Mackenzie, fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to ask: ‘Dying to know what the hell she did to be so hated by everyone,’;

‘Itching to know what this is about,’; ‘Jesus, what did Mackenzie do,’;

‘Bloody hell, what did she do for that reaction…’; ‘So many skeletons in Mack’s closet, loving her already,’;

‘So in the UK Mackenzie is being investigated because they think she’s corrupt?’

As the episode unfolded, it was revealed the tension in Dolphin Cove surrounding Mackenzie’s return was that she fled the town six years prior after leaving her ex-fiancée Glenn at the altar. 

Her mysterious aura was also explained as it was confirmed she had been suspended from The Met for allegedly tampering with evidence – something she denied – before agreeing to stay in Dolphin Cove permanently. 

Fans were then delighted as Jack made his cameo in the episode while on the phone to Mackenzie. 

The series is an Australian spin-off of the popular crime drama Death in Paradise and sees DI Mackenzie return to her home town after six years of working for The Met in London

Curious as to the mystery surrounded Mackenzie, fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to ask: ‘Dying to know what the hell she did to be so hated by everyone,’

As the episode unfolded, it was revealed the tension in Dolphin Cove surrounding Mackenzie’s return was that she fled the town six years prior after leaving her ex-fiancée Glenn at the altar

They wrote: ‘Jack!!!!!!!!! Yay!’; ‘JAAAAAACK,’; ‘JACK MY BABY,’; ‘Yay it’s Jack. Much missed,’; 

‘JACK MOONEYYYYY HE’S BACKKKK,’; ‘*screaming*: Jack Mooney cameo on “Return to paradise” what the…’;

‘Didn’t realise the Mooney tie in was as substantial as it seems. Hopefully that means plenty of screen time!’;

‘Oh hiiiiiiiiiiii Jack! How’ve you been?’

The highly-anticipated offshoot follows Anna’s character, DI Mackenzie Clarke, an Australian ex-pat who made a name for herself in London’s Met Police solving uncrackable murder cases.

In an exclusive preview clip ahead of the show’s airing, Mackenzie attempted to disguise her idenтιтy behind a pair of sunglᴀsses as she made her return in the back of a cab.

After a few suspicious glances in the rear-view mirror, the taxi driver asked: ‘First time in Dolphin Cove?’ to which Mackenzie replies: ‘Sure.’

He continued press her, saying: ‘I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before’ but is met with curt denial from the detective.

Fans were then delighted as Jack made his cameo in the episode while on the phone to Mackenzie

Her mysterious aura was also explained as it was confirmed she had been suspended from The Met for allegedly tampering with evidence

Fans wrote: ‘Jack!!!!!!!!! Yay!’; ‘JAAAAAACK,’; ‘JACK MY BABY,’

Mackenzie blew her cover when she answered a phone call with: ‘Hello, it’s DI Clarke’.

The driver’s face dropped as he interrupted her and made a dangerously sharp turn to pull over.

‘Clarke? Mackenzie Clarke? I knew it was you!’ he shouted as he got out of the car and dragged her luggage out of the boot.

‘What? I am a paying customer,’ retorted the confused detective as he opens the door for her to get out.

The driver looked at her in disgust and said: ‘I can’t believe you came back after what you did. Get out. I tried to warn them about you. I told everybody on the day but they wouldn’t listen to me.’

Suddenly revealing that she knows him, Mackenzie snapped back sarcastically: ‘Oh yes, you’re very perceptive Trevor! Smarter than everyone!’

But her snarky jibes quickly turn to panicked pleas as she realised she was being abandoned on the side of the road.

‘You can’t just leave me here! It’s three K [kilometres] into town!’ she cried. 

‘Not my problem!’ replied Trevor as she hops back in his car and drives off, sending Mackenzie into a fit of rage.

Despite the frosty welcome, the talented detective has no choice but to join the team at Dolphin Cove Police Station and attempt to win over her colleagues with her tenacity and work ethic. 

In an exclusive preview clip, Mackenzie attempts to disguise her idenтιтy behind a pair of sunglᴀsses as she makes her return in the back of a cab

The series also features Detective Senior Constable Colin Cartwright, played by British actor Lloyd Griffith, Glenn Strong played by Home and Away star Tai Hara, Police volunteer Reggie Rocco played by Wentworth actress Celia Ireland and PC Felix Wilkinson played by Gold Diggers actor Aaron McGrath.

When the new spin-off series was announced earlier this year, Sue Deeks, the Head of Programme Acquisition at BBC said: ‘Everything we all love about Death in Paradise, the humour, the beautiful scenery, the likeable characters, the ingenious plots – now in a fabulous Australian setting.

‘I cannot wait for BBC viewers to meet Detective Mack and the good (and not-so-good!) folk of Dolphin Cove. What a treat we have in store!’

The original Death in Paradise series first aired in 2011 and now boasts 13 seasons and shows no signs of ending soon.

Return to Paradise is not the first spin-off to come from the popular series.

Beyond Paradise was released last year and currently has two seasons with the BBC delighting fans when they confirmed a 2024 Christmas special and a third season.

It is set in the sleepy town of Shipton Abbott in Devon and follows DI Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall, after he moves over from the fictional island of Saint Marie in search of a quieter life.

Return to Paradise airs on Fridays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.