I love the series, its great for watching on cold winters nights. Lets hope Kris can live up to Ben's portrayal. Its always sad when the lead actor is replaced. Case in point is New Tricks actors. The chemistry is just not there
I'm expecting Kris to play a totally different character to Ben - I imagine him trying to be down with the dudes and making a right hash of it. Time will tell.
Can't imagine what New Tricks will be like when only Dennis Waterman is left of the original cast.
Just found this - Kris will be playing a different character, Humphrey.
"Joining series regulars Sara Martins, Danny John-Jules, Gary Carr and Don Warrington when filming starts on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe from next month, Marshall will play a bright, but rather disorganised and gawky DI, Humphrey Goodman, who is stuck in a mid-life rut and is looking to find a new life and fresh start."
Very sad that Ben Miller is leaving, but will be interested in seeing what Kris Marshall brings to the series - I think of him as a comedian, based on his roles in My Family, and the film Love Actually, and it sounds as if he will be humorous in DIP as well. Just have to wait and see.
Ben is leaving because he really can't stand the heat. He's tried backless shirts under his suits, ice packs in his waist band - he really does suffer.