BBC's Beyond Paradise leans into South West myths

BBC's Beyond Paradise leans into South West myths6 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJohn Danks,FalmouthandZhara Simpson,DevonBBC/Joss BarrattZahra Ahmadi (right, here with actor Kris Marshall) said she loved the fourth series celebrating the culture in the regionThe latest series of BBC TV comedy-drama Beyond Paradise is leaning into the myths and legends of the South West.The drama, set in the fictional Devon town of Shipton Abbott, is predominately filmed in Looe, Cornwall, as well as other parts of both counties.Its producers said that, unlike previous episodes, series four, currently being broadcast, paid homage by diving into the region's Celtic-inspired mythology, from mermaids, the Green Man and pirates, to the darker side of Morris traditions, all rooted in local unique storytelling heritage.Plymouth-born actor Zahra Ahmadi, who plays police officer Esther Williams, said she enjoyed it looking at stories "culturally relevant to the area".The Mermaid of Zennor, which inspired a story in the drama, was immortalised on a late medieval bench-endMore news stories for DevonListen to the latest news for DevonSteve Patterson, director and curator of folklore and witchcraft at Gwithti an Pystri Museum in Falmouth, said the latest series featured Cornish folklore-inspirations, including from the story of the Mermaid of Zennor - "probably the most famous mermaid story in Cornwall".He said: "The Mermaid of Zennor was immortalised on a late medieval bench end in Zennor Church."He said the mermaid, called Morvehen, fell in love with a parish church chorister Matty Trewhela, seduced him into the sea at Pendour Cove and he was never seen again. It was believed they swam away together in her underwater home, he added.Steve Patterson said the Mermaid of Zennor was one of the most famous creatures to inspire the TV seriesZahra Ahmadi said she identified with stories being reflected in the Death in Paradise offshoot's late...