Jamie Bamber fiercely defends BBC Beyond Paradise character as he shares ‘challenge’ of backlash ahead of comeback
Jamie Bamber is set to make a return to BBC’s Beyond Paradise as Archie Hughes in the upcoming third series.
The actor will reprise his role as Martha’s former fiancé, a character who previously stirred tension in the show’s debut season.
Archie’s return promises to bring a fresh dynamic to the series, with Bamber suggesting his character will approach things differently this time around.
The vineyard owner’s previous appearance caused significant friction between Martha and her current fiancé Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall.
Viewers will remember Archie as Martha’s ex who initially appeared to help with her restaurant launch before complications arose in their relationship.
His comeback is expected to explore new dimensions of his character and his evolving relationship with Martha.
In season one, Archie’s presence created significant complications for Martha and Humphrey’s relationship.
What began as professional assistance with Martha’s restaurant quickly evolved into something more problematic.
Archie attempted to kiss Martha, resulting in her slapping him in response.
The situation escalated dramatically in the season one finale when Humphrey and Archie engaged in a very public brawl.
The vineyard owner’s previous actions suggested he wasn’t entirely over his relationship with Martha, so his reappearance now raises questions about how the three characters will navigate their complicated history.
Despite the tensions his character caused, Bamber doesn’t view Archie as a villain in the series.
“For the record, I don’t think Archie was a bad guy in the first series,” Bamber told the BBC.
He explained the perspective challenge: “This is the challenge of being in a drama where you’re not the lead character and everyone’s rooting for Humphrey.
“I don’t think Archie did anything wrong. He tried his hand. He’s a middle-aged man and, if you sit on the sidelines your whole life, you’ll stay there.”
The actor continued: “He ducked out when asked to duck out and I think he did it with dignity.”
Season three seems set to mark a significant shift in Archie’s character development.
According to Bamber, the vineyard owner is “ready to turn over a new leaf both in his personal and professional life.”
This suggests a more mature approach from Archie when interacting with Martha and Humphrey.
“Hopefully, they can find a way for their relationship to evolve and become what it needs to be in the future,” Bamber added.