BBC’s Beyond Paradise Explores South West England’s Myths and Legends

If you’ve ever caught an episode of Beyond Paradise while scrolling through your streaming queue, you’ve likely noticed the show’s knack for blending crime-solving with the kind of sun-drenched escapism that makes you long for a vacation. But what if I told you the latest season of this BBC hit isn’t just leaning into the fictional charm of its Caribbean setting—it’s as well tapping into the rich, often mythologized folklore of England’s South West? For residents of Portland, Maine—a coastal city where maritime history and local legends run as deep as the Atlantic tides—this shift in the show’s narrative might feel eerily familiar. The question is: why does this matter to you, and how might it reshape the way your community engages with its own stories?

The BBC’s recent pivot with Beyond Paradise isn’t just a creative choice; it’s a deliberate nod to the cultural DNA of the South West of England, a region steeped in myths about smugglers, pirates, and supernatural encounters. The show’s new season, which premiered in early 2026, weaves these local legends into its plotlines, transforming the fictional island of Saint Marie into a character in its own right. For a city like Portland, where the past isn’t just preserved in museums but lives on in the cobblestone streets of the Classic Port and the whispered tales of Casco Bay’s shipwrecks, this approach could offer a blueprint for how communities can leverage their unique histories to foster tourism, education, and even economic growth.

The South West’s Myths: A Mirror for Portland’s Own Folklore

The South West of England, encompassing counties like Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset, has long been a hotbed of folklore. From the ghostly Dozmary Pool, said to be the home of King Arthur’s Excalibur, to the smuggling tales of Jamaica Inn, these stories are more than just campfire fodder—they’re a living part of the region’s identity. Beyond Paradise isn’t the first to capitalize on this; the BBC has a history of mining local myths for content, from Poldark to Doc Martin. But what makes this season different is its focus on how these legends shape the present, not just the past.

Portland, Maine, shares more than a few parallels with the South West. Grab the legend of the Casco Bay Ghost Ship, a spectral vessel said to appear before storms, or the tales of Smuggler’s Cove, where 18th-century pirates allegedly stashed their loot. These stories aren’t just relics; they’re part of the city’s cultural fabric, influencing everything from tourism marketing to local art. The Portland Museum of Art, for instance, has hosted exhibitions on maritime folklore, while the Maine Historical Society regularly curates events that explore the state’s rich oral traditions. If Beyond Paradise can turn South West myths into a global conversation, why couldn’t Portland do the same with its own?

From Screen to Street: How Folklore Drives Local Economies

The economic impact of folklore-driven storytelling isn’t just theoretical. In the South West, tourism boards have long used myths to attract visitors, with attractions like the Eden Project and Tintagel Castle drawing millions annually. The BBC’s decision to lean into these narratives with Beyond Paradise is likely to amplify this effect, turning casual viewers into potential tourists. For Portland, this raises an intriguing question: could the city’s own legends be the key to unlocking a new wave of cultural tourism?

Consider the success of Dark Harbor, an annual Halloween event in nearby Peaks Island that leans heavily into local ghost stories. The event draws thousands of visitors each year, many of whom extend their stay to explore Portland’s historic sites. Similarly, the Portland Ghost Hunt, a walking tour that delves into the city’s haunted past, has turn into a staple for both locals and tourists. These initiatives prove that folklore isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a viable economic driver. If Portland were to double down on these efforts, partnering with local filmmakers, historians, and even the Maine Office of Tourism, it could create a ripple effect that benefits everything from boutique hotels to local restaurants.

But the potential goes beyond tourism. Folklore can also serve as a tool for education and community engagement. The Maine Humanities Council, for example, has run programs that employ local stories to teach history and literature in schools. Imagine a curriculum where students explore the Casco Bay Ghost Ship not just as a spooky tale, but as a lens through which to study maritime history, weather patterns, and even climate change. The BBC’s approach with Beyond Paradise—blending entertainment with education—could inspire similar initiatives in Portland, turning passive viewers into active participants in their city’s narrative.

The Risks of Mythologizing: Balancing Authenticity and Exploitation

Of course, there’s a fine line between celebrating folklore and exploiting it. The South West’s myths are deeply tied to the region’s identity, and any attempt to commercialize them risks diluting their cultural significance. Portland faces a similar challenge. The city’s legends are often tied to marginalized communities—Native American tribes, working-class fishermen, and immigrant populations—whose stories have historically been overlooked or misrepresented. The last thing anyone wants is for these narratives to be reduced to a marketing gimmick.

This is where local institutions can play a crucial role. The Maine Historical Society and the Abbe Museum, which focuses on Native American history, have both worked to preserve and amplify these stories in a way that honors their origins. Any effort to expand Portland’s folklore-driven initiatives should involve these organizations, ensuring that the narratives remain authentic and respectful. The BBC’s collaboration with local historians and cultural experts in the South West could serve as a model for how Portland might approach this balance.

What This Means for Portland’s Creative and Business Communities

For Portland’s creative professionals—filmmakers, writers, artists, and musicians—Beyond Paradise’s success offers a tantalizing glimpse into the power of local storytelling. The show’s ability to blend crime drama with folklore has resonated with audiences worldwide, proving that there’s a hunger for narratives that feel both universal and deeply personal. Portland’s own creative community could take a page from this playbook, developing projects that highlight the city’s unique history while appealing to broader audiences.

Take, for example, the Portland Ovations, a performing arts organization that has commissioned works inspired by Maine’s history and landscape. A collaboration between local playwrights and historians could yield a series of plays or films that bring Portland’s legends to life, much like Beyond Paradise does for the South West. Similarly, the Maine Film Office could incentivize productions that explore the state’s folklore, offering tax breaks or grants to filmmakers who incorporate local stories into their work.

For local businesses, the opportunities are equally compelling. A boutique hotel in the Old Port might offer “folklore-themed” stays, complete with guided tours and storytelling sessions. A brewery could craft a limited-edition beer inspired by the Casco Bay Ghost Ship, with proceeds benefiting maritime preservation efforts. Even restaurants could gain in on the action, hosting “legendary dinners” where diners enjoy a meal while listening to tales of Portland’s past. The key is to ensure that these initiatives feel authentic, not gimmicky, and that they give back to the community in meaningful ways.

Three Local Professionals Portlanders Should Know

Given my background in cultural journalism and local economic development, I’ve seen firsthand how communities can harness their unique stories to drive growth. If you’re a Portland resident looking to explore the city’s folklore—or even turn it into a business opportunity—here are three types of local professionals who can help:

Cultural Historians and Folklorists

These experts specialize in uncovering and preserving the stories that define a community. In Portland, you’ll find them working with organizations like the Maine Historical Society or the Maine Folklife Center at the University of Maine. When hiring a folklorist, look for someone with:

• A background in oral history or anthropology, with experience conducting interviews and archival research.
• A deep knowledge of Maine’s cultural landscape, including its Native American, maritime, and immigrant histories.
• A track record of community engagement, such as leading workshops or curating public exhibitions.

These professionals can help you dig into Portland’s past, whether you’re a filmmaker looking for inspiration, a business owner hoping to incorporate local legends into your branding, or a teacher developing a curriculum around Maine’s folklore.

Tourism and Experience Designers

If you’re interested in turning Portland’s folklore into a tourism draw, these are the experts to call. They work with organizations like the Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau to create immersive experiences that attract visitors. When hiring a tourism designer, prioritize candidates who:

• Have experience developing narrative-driven tours or events, such as ghost walks, historical reenactments, or themed festivals.
• Understand the balance between entertainment and education, ensuring that your initiative is both engaging and respectful of the stories it tells.
• Can demonstrate a strong network within Portland’s hospitality industry, from hotels to restaurants, to create a seamless experience for visitors.

These professionals can help you design everything from a single walking tour to a citywide folklore festival, ensuring that your project resonates with both locals and tourists.

Creative Consultants and Storytellers

For artists, writers, and filmmakers, a creative consultant can help you translate Portland’s folklore into compelling content. These professionals often work with organizations like Portland Ovations or the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. When hiring a creative consultant, look for someone who:

• Has a portfolio that includes projects inspired by local history or folklore, whether in film, theater, literature, or visual art.
• Can demonstrate an understanding of how to adapt traditional stories for modern audiences without losing their essence.
• Has experience collaborating with historians and cultural experts to ensure accuracy and authenticity.

Whether you’re writing a novel, producing a podcast, or developing a film, these consultants can help you craft a narrative that feels both true to Portland’s roots and fresh enough to captivate new audiences.

Ready to find trusted professionals? Browse our complete directory of top-rated cultural historians and folklorists in the Portland, Maine area today.