Beyond Paradise star says 'it's not easy' for Martha and Humphrey as they tackle challenge

Fans of Beyond Paradise should brace themselves for a rocky holiday season as DI Humphrey Goodman (played by Kris Marshall) and Martha Lloyd (portrayed by Sally Bretton) tackle new fostering challenges.

This Christmas, the couple is set to welcome not just any youngster, but a teenager named Jaiden (Austin Taylor). Despite their experience with younger kids, actress Sally Bretton warns that this adolescent will bring his own set of struggles.

In an interview, the BBC star commented "Jaiden is a bit of a challenge at first. Like any typical teenager, he's glued to his phone and headphones, and it takes him a while to warm up to Martha."

She goes on to reveal: "She really tries to make a connection with him but it's not easy. As the episode unfolds, we learn that Jaiden is struggling with being separated from his little brother."

It quickly becomes apparent that taking in Jaiden will be a steep learning curve for the pair, who are used to much younger children in their fostering endeavors, reports Cornwall Live.

Sally added another layer to Martha's character, expressing: "Handling a teenager presents new challenges, but Martha is determined to make it a special Christmas for Jaiden, nonetheless."

Actor Kris Marshall also chimed in, reinforcing the fact that every child they foster presents unique hurdles. He remarked: "Every child is different, and fostering is an emotional rollercoaster. Each placement brings its unique challenges, and Martha and Humphrey face them together."

"While Humphrey is supportive and involved, most of the parenting tends to fall on Martha's shoulders. But Humphrey does find the whole fostering experience deeply rewarding."

The storyline heats up in the Christmas special as Martha and Humphrey grapple with personal tribulations, while DI Humphrey is embroiled in an intriguing case.

A bereaving widower begins to witness the apparition of his deceased wife, prompting a mix of intrigue and skepticism within the team, with DS Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi) questioning the supernatural elements and DI Humphrey keen to investigate.

The duo sets out to discern if the widower's spectral encounters stem from his sorrow or hint at something more nefarious.

Further drama unfolds in Shipton Abbott when a burglary at the church results in a missing Virgin Mary figure from the Nativity scene, threatening to derail the forthcoming Christmas service. The race is on for PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn) to crack the case swiftly.

On the subject of the peculiar investigations they encounter, Kris Marshall stated: "Humphrey doesn't rule anything out, but he's always up for a challenge. He loves unusual cases - anything out of the ordinary, whether it's ghosts or just something strange."

"He enjoys getting stuck into these mysteries and picking them apart. As a policeman, he's naturally sceptical and doesn't believe in coincidences. But for him, the thrill comes from unravelling the mystery, which is what gets him excited about the job."

Beyond Paradise is available to watch on Friday 27th December on BBC One from 9pm.