On 'Death In Paradise,' I had a CGI pet lizard and had to react to nothing, which was hideously embarrassing.

The quote "On 'Death In Paradise,' I had a CGI pet lizard and had to react to nothing, which was hideously embarrassing." by Ben Miller humorously reflects the challenges of acting in situations where special effects and CGI (computer-generated imagery) replace real props or animals. In this case, Miller describes a situation where he had to act as though he was interacting with a pet lizard, which, in reality, was not physically present but was instead created digitally. The awkwardness comes from the need to react convincingly to something that doesn't exist in the physical space, a situation that can feel unnatural for an actor.

Miller's mention of it being "hideously embarrassing" highlights the difficulty actors sometimes face in scenes where they must imagine or pretend to interact with something that isn't physically there. It reveals the often unseen challenges of working with CGI or other effects, where the actor's performance depends heavily on their imagination and ability to engage with a virtual element that won't be seen until post-production. This situation contrasts sharply with the typical acting experience, where props and other actors are physically present to interact with.

The reference to "Death In Paradise" also provides context about the television series Miller was involved in. Known for its light-hearted murder mystery plots set in the Caribbean, the show sometimes incorporated quirky or humorous elements, which may have made the CGI lizard seem even more out of place in the context of the scene. The playful tone of the quote underscores the sometimes absurdity of the actor's job when dealing with the unconventional realities of modern filmmaking.

The origin of this quote comes from Miller’s experience working on "Death In Paradise," where he had to navigate these technical challenges. As an actor accustomed to a more traditional, physical interaction with the world around him, the situation with the CGI lizard became an amusing moment in his career. This comment reflects Miller’s self-awareness and ability to laugh at the awkward or unnatural moments that sometimes arise in the process of acting, especially when modern technology is involved.