Is Harry the Lizard real in Death in Paradise and how old is he?

For fans of the long-running BBC crime drama Death in Paradise, few characters have earned as much unexpected affection as Harry the Lizard. Though he never speaks or takes part in solving crimes, Harry has become a beloved presence in the Saint Marie police station - and one of the most enduring Easter eggs in the show's quirky charm.

Harry made his first appearance in Season One, Episode One, which aired in 2011. From the start, he was seen lounging on walls and ceilings and occasionally sharing silent moments with the lead detective. However, despite his lifelike movement and on-screen chemistry, Harry is not a real lizard. He's a fully computer-generated character crafted by the show's visual effects team to bring a little extra tropical flair and light-heartedness to the often murder-filled narrative.

According to interviews with the production crew, Harry was created using CGI technology, with animators studying the behaviour of real geckos to achieve his naturalistic appearance. If he was real, he would most likely be an anole - a tropical lizard related to iguanas. The decision to make him digital was both practical and creative: real lizards would have been difficult to train and unpredictable during filming, especially in the hot, humid conditions of Guadeloupe where the show is filmed.

Throughout the series, Harry has shared scenes with every detective inspector, from DI Richard Poole to DI Neville Parker. His interactions often served as subtle comic relief, particularly when DI Poole - who hated almost everything about island life - would argue with Harry as though he were a troublesome roommate. Over time, Harry became a silent observer of many key moments and even inspired fan theories about his role as the station's unofficial mascot.

Harry remained a regular presence up until Season 12. By Season 13, which aired in early 2024, he was noticeably absent. While the show hasn't officially explained Harry's departure, fans were outraged that he had been ditched.

Harry - who developed quite the fanbase during his tenure - received an outpouring of support from viewers. Taking to social media, one user wrote: "This Harry erasure is NOT ON I miss the lil guy." While another fan stated: "Hey @deathinparadise ... where was @DIPHarryLizard in the last 2 episodes! Can't have an episode without the star of the show!" And someone else added: "We need more Harry!!!"