Shetland (TV series) explained

Genre:Crime drama
Creator:Ann Cleeves
Composer:John Lunn
Country:Scotland
Language:English, Shetland Scots
Num Series:9
Num Seasons:-->
Num Episodes:49
List Episodes:
  1. Episodes
Runtime:57 minutes
Network:BBC One
Company:ITV Studios (2013–2016)
Silverprint Pictures (part of ITV Studios)(2018–present)
Last Aired:present

Shetland is a Scottish crime drama television series produced by ITV Studios for BBC Scotland. First broadcast on BBC One on 10 March 2013, it is originally based upon the novels of Ann Cleeves and adapted by David Kane. The first seven series starred Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Pérez, whilst Ashley Jensen stars as DI Ruth Calder from the eighth series. The cast also includes Alison O'Donnell as DS Alison "Tosh" McIntosh and Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson, as well as Lewis Howden and Anne Kidd. Henshall won the 2016 BAFTA Scotland award for Best Actor and the series received the award for Best TV Drama.[1]

The stories take place largely on the eponymous archipelago, although some of the filming takes place on the Scottish mainland. Most, but not all, exterior location filming takes place in Shetland; in 2021, filming of series 6 and 7 took place in Shetland in two segments, each of about six weeks’ duration. Interiors may be filmed in either Shetland or in west central Scotland.[2]

On 2 December 2019, BBC One announced that two further series were intended for 2020 and 2021 with Henshall and O’Donnell returning in their roles.[3] Production had to be postponed due to COVID-19. Series 6 broadcast began on 20 October 2021 and series 7 on 10 August 2022.

On 20 July 2022, it was announced that Shetland would return without Henshall in 2023 for an eighth series.[4] Jensen was revealed as his replacement on 23 November that year.[5] In March 2024, the show was recommissioned for series nine and ten in 2024 and 2025 with Jensen and O'Donnell reprising their roles.[6]

Production

The first series consists of two episodes, a single two-part story based on the novel Red Bones by Ann Cleeves.[7] This series was broadcast across two nights on 10 and 11 March 2013 and was produced by Sue de Beauvoir.[8] Subsequently, a second series was commissioned by the BBC. Series two was extended to contain six episodes. These were filmed in 2013 and screened in 2014. This series features three two-part stories based on Cleeves' novels Raven Black, Dead Water, and Blue Lightning. This series was produced by Peter Gallagher.[9]

Filming began in April 2015 for a third series, which began screening in January 2016.[10] This series saw a change in format; with all six episodes covering a single story, written exclusively for television.[11] This was the first series not to adapt any of Cleeves' novels.[10] Ciarán Hinds and Anna Chancellor were among the new cast members for this series.[12] A fourth series was announced by the BBC in July 2016.[13] Again, this series is a single story played out across six episodes and written exclusively for television. Stephen Walters and Neve McIntosh were among the new cast members announced for the series. It was broadcast on BBC One beginning on 13 February 2018.[14] Series 5 was broadcast on BBC1 from 12 February 2019.[15]

During filming, the cast and crew are usually based in Glasgow[16] and other areas of mainland Scotland.[10] [17] Filming often takes place in areas with landscape or buildings reminiscent of those in the Shetland Islands, such as Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire, Barrhead, where Henshall was born and grew up,[18] Ayr and Irvine, North Ayrshire. "My character’s house is actually in Kilbarchan, the interior of a couple of crofts are here [in Irvine, Ayrshire] and the police station is in Barrhead," Henshall said in a 2019 interview.[19]

Filming locations on or near Shetland have included Lerwick, the NorthLink ferry and the village of Wester Quarff, south of Lerwick.[20] [21] Some filming was on Fair Isle for series 2. The Hillswick wildlife sanctuary featured in series 4.[22]

Shortly before series 7 premiered, Henshall announced that the series would be his last. It was then announced that he would be replaced in the leading role by Ashley Jensen from the eighth series.[23] Filming for series 9 started in Shetland in April 2024.[24]

Cast

Main cast

Current

Former

Recurring cast

Series 1

Red Bones

Series 2

Raven Black

Dead Water

Blue Lightning

Series 3

Series 4

Series 5

Series 6

Series 7

Series 8

Series 9

Episodes

Series 3 (2016)

The broadcast of Episode 6 was delayed due to coverage of an FA Cup replay being broadcast. In contrast to Season 2 (three 2-part episodes), Season 3 is one 6-part story.

Series 4 (2018)

The broadcast of Episode 3 was delayed by 24 hours due to the broadcast of an FA Cup replay.

Series 9 (2024)

Home media

Released on DVD in Australia, Shetland, Series 1 consists of the pilot "Red Bones" and the Series 2 episodes "Raven Black", "Dead Water" and "Blue Lightning". Series 2 contains the Series 3 episodes, Series 3 contains the Series 4 episodes, and Series 4 contains the Season 5 episodes.

On Australian Region 4 DVD, The Pilot episode is stated as being Pilot and not Series 1, with the Series 2 episodes being stated as Series 1. Quote from the DVD "This DVD set includes the Pilot Red Bones and all episodes from series one Raven Black, Dead Water and Blue Lightning". However, the UK releases are Series 1 through 7 rather than Series 1 through 6 in Australia.

DVD name Region 2 (UK)Region 4
Shetland 7 May 201417 September 2014
Shetland: Series 2 11 May 2016
Shetland: Series 3 7 March 20167 August 2019
Shetland: Series 1-3N/A
Shetland: Series 4 26 March 20189 May 2018
Shetland: Series 1-4N/A
Shetland: Series 5 15 April 20196 April 2022
Shetland: Series 1-5N/A
Shetland: Series 613 December 2021TBA
Shetland: Series 1-6N/A
Shetland: Series 719 September 2022N/A
Shetland: Series 1-7

International broadcasts

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryRecipient(s) and nominee(s)Result
2013RTS Craft & Design AwardsBest Music - Original TitleJohn Lunn[48]
2014BAFTA ScotlandBest Actor - TelevisionDouglas Henshall[49]
2015BAFTA ScotlandBest Television DramaShetland[50]
2016British Society of CinematographersGBTC Operators Award - Television DramaRodrigo Gutierrez[51]
2016BAFTA ScotlandBest Television DramaShetland
2016BAFTA ScotlandBest Actor - TelevisionDouglas Henshall[52]
2016BAFTA ScotlandBest Directing - Film/TelevisionJan Matthys[53]
2016BAFTA ScotlandBest Writer - Film/TelevisionGaby Chiappe

Notes and References

  1. Web site: VIDEO: Douglas Henshall wins Best Actor award at Scottish Baftas for Shetland role . Press and Journal . Cheryl . Livingstone . 6 November 2016 . 31 December 2023.
  2. Web site: There's been a murrrder: Shetland returns to BBC One . Sarah . Clark . Visit Scotland . 6 March 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20191007230758/https://www.visitscotland.com/blog/scotland/shetland-series-two-bbc-one/ . 7 October 2019 .
  3. Web site: Crime drama Shetland triumphs at Bafta Scotland . . 7 November 2016 . BBC News Scotland . BBC . 14 February 2017 . Actor Television – Douglas Henshall, Shetland. … Television Drama – Shetland, ITV Studios/BBC One. .
  4. Web site: Douglas Henshall to depart BBC drama Shetland, as the award-winning murder mystery returns for a seventh series. www.bbc.com.
  5. Web site: Hit BBC drama Shetland announce Ashley Jensen as new lead. BBC News. 24 November 2022.
  6. Web site: Detective drama Shetland to return to BBC for two more seasons. www.bbc.com.
  7. News: Griffiths . Rosalind . 22 November 2012 . Cleeves' new BBC drama gets premiere screening at Mareel . . 1 July 2014.
  8. News: Midgley . Neil . 11 March 2013 . Shetland, BBC One, review . . 1 July 2014.
  9. Web site: Jeffery . Morgan . 'Shetland' gets full six-part series on BBC One . Digital Spy . 3 April 2013 . 26 June 2013.
  10. News: Rosalind . Griffiths . Street closed for television crime series filming . The Shetland Times . 9 April 2015 . 9 April 2015.
  11. Web site: Shetland Stories . Ann Cleeves . 1 July 2014.
  12. News: Game Of Thrones star to join new series of Shetland . The Scotsman . Johnston Publishing Ltd. . 9 April 2015 . 9 April 2015.
  13. Web site: BBC One to Make Shetland Series 4 Soon. 20 July 2016 . Premiere Date. en-gb. https://web.archive.org/web/20160228131812/http://premieredate.tv/tv-series/2825-is-shetland-coming-back-for-series-4-release-date.html. 2016-02-28. dead. 2017-04-02.
  14. Web site: Shetland – Filming underway on new series of award-winning BBC One drama. HM. 30 March 2017 . BBC Media Centre. en-GB. 2017-04-02.
  15. Web site: When is Shetland series five on TV?.
  16. News: Scottish actor Douglas Henshall on the perks of filming new BBC crime drama Shetland.. in & around Glasgow. English. Paul. 2 March 2013. 2 April 2017. Glasgow. Daily Record.
  17. Web site: New crime drama for BBC one starring Douglas Henshall . . 2014. BBC Media Centre . BBC . 14 February 2017.
  18. News: Beacom . Brian . 21 March 2016 . Interview with Douglas Henshall, star of new film Iona . Herald Scotland . Glasgow . 14 February 2017.
  19. Web site: Where is Shetland filmed? Find out more about the detective drama's location. TV BT. 5 February 2019.
  20. Web site: Where is Shetland filmed? Find out more about the detective drama's location. 5 February 2019.
  21. News: James . Rampton . Actor Douglas Henshall returns for a third series of Shetland . 9 January 2016 . . 14 February 2017.
  22. Web site: Shetland filming locations: where BBC series is filmed, and all you need to know about the islands . i News. 26 February 2019.
  23. News: Shetland announces Ashley Jensen as new lead. BBC News. 23 November 2022. 10 June 2023.
  24. Web site: 2024-04-01 . Filming for series nine of Shetland to begin this week . 2024-06-11 . Shetland News . en-GB.
  25. News: 20 July 2022 . Douglas Henshall to depart BBC drama Shetland, as the award-winning murder mystery returns for a seventh series . BBC . 29 October 2022.
  26. Web site: BBC - Shetland - Media Centre. www.bbc.co.uk.
  27. Shetland adds Downton Abbey, Holby City and Outlander stars to new cast. Radio Times. David. Craig. 7 April 2023. 23 April 2023.
  28. News: Shetland Series 4 begins filming  – Inside Media Track. 2017-03-30. Inside Media Track. 2018-01-29. en-GB.
  29. News: Meet the cast and characters of Shetland. Radio Times. 2018-07-09. en.
  30. Web site: Shetland . BBC First .
  31. Web site: Nieuwe fictie op Eén: Shetland . New fiction on One: Shetland . Eén . nl . 3 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303143507/http://www.een.be/programmas/een/nieuwe-fictie-op-een-shetland .
  32. Web site: Shetland . British Columbia's Knowledge Network . August 2019 . Knowledge Network Corporation.
  33. https://www.visiontv.ca/2024/03/12/ashley-jensen-has-a-harrowing-homecoming-as-the-new-lead-investsigator-on-shetland/ ASHLEY JENSEN HAS A HARROWING HOMECOMING AS THE NEW LEAD INVESTIGATOR ON SHETLAND
  34. Web site: Shetland: Rødt støv . Shetland: Red dust . DR . da .
  35. Web site: Mord auf Shetland . Murder on Shetland . fernsehserien.de . imfernsehen GmbH & Co. KG . de .
  36. Web site: Shetlandsaarten murhat . Shetland Islands Murder . Yle TV1 . fi .
  37. Web site: Elenco Serie Tv 2018: calendario partenze. 11 December 2017. 12 December 2017. it.
  38. Web site: 『シェトランド』（全4話）、4月8（水）より日本初放送スタート . 2015-03-29 . 2021-09-25 . 海外ドラマNAVI . ナノ・アソシエーション.
  39. Web site: Detectives . NPO . nl . 15 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170215072553/http://www.npo.nl/detectives .
  40. Web site: Jane . Clifton . 14 January 2016 . TV Review: Shetland . Stuff . Fairfax New Zealand Limited .
  41. Web site: Shetland . NRK TV . no .
  42. Web site: Shetland . FOX Portugal . Fox Networks Group Portugal, Lda . pt .
  43. Web site: Napovednik . MMC RTV Slovenija . sl .
  44. Web site: Shetland . SVT . Sveriges Television AB . sv .
  45. Web site: Shetland . WGBH .
  46. Web site: The wait is finally over. Jimmy Perez is back. . Twitter .
  47. Web site: When will Season 4 & 5 of Shetland be on Netflix? . WhatsOnNetflix . April 2019 .
  48. Web site: Televisual NEWS & COMMENTS. UK. Televisual Media Ltd. www.televisual.com. en. 2018-07-09.
  49. Web site: British Academy Scotland Awards: Winners in 2014. www.bafta.org. 20 October 2014. en. 2018-07-09.
  50. Web site: British Academy Scotland Awards: Winners in 2015. www.bafta.org. 15 November 2015. en. 2018-07-09.
  51. Web site: Awards British Society of Cinematographers. bscine.com. 2018-07-09.
  52. Web site: British Academy Scotland Awards: Winners in 2016. www.bafta.org. 3 October 2016. en. 2018-07-09.
  53. Web site: British Academy Scotland Awards: Winners in 2016. www.bafta.org. 3 October 2016. en. 2018-07-09.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Shetland (TV series)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.