Shetland: Synopsis, Overview and Release date

Shetland is a Scottish crime drama television series, made by ITV Studios for BBC One and first broadcast on 10 March 2013. Initially based upon the novels of Ann Cleeves, the series was brought to the screen by David Kane, who has remained a principal writer throughout the series.

The series stars Douglas Henshall as Jimmy Pérez, a detective inspector working for the Shetland police, Alison O’Donnell as Detective Sergeant Alison “Tosh” Macintosh, and Steven Robertson as Detective Constable Sandy Wilson. Mark Bonnar, Lewis Howden, Erin Armstrong, Julie Graham, and Anne Kidd are also credited as principal members of the cast.

The story takes place largely on the eponymous Scottish archipelago, although much of the series’ filming takes place on the Scottish mainland, with only some location filming actually taking place in Shetland. Five series have been broadcast as of April 2019. Douglas Henshall won the 2016 BAFTA Scotland award for best actor for his role as Jimmy Pérez, and the series received the award for Best TV Drama.

Douglas Henshall as Jimmy Perez, detective inspector (series 1, Alison O’Donnell as Alison “Tosh” MacIntosh, detective sergeant (series 1–), Steven Robertson as Sandy Wilson, detective constable (series 1–), Mark Bonnar as Duncan Hunter, Cassie’s biological father (series 1–), Julie Graham as Rhona Kelly, procurator fiscal (series 2–, Lewis Howden as Billy McCabe, police sergeant (series 4–, recurring series 1, 3), Erin Armstrong as Cassie Perez, Jimmy’s stepdaughter (series 4–, recurring series 1–3), Anne Kidd as Cora McLean, forensic pathologist (series 5–, recurring series 2–4, Stewart Porter as Billy McBride, police sergeant (recurring series 2; temporarily replacing Lewis Howden)

On December 2, 2019, BBC One announced that Shetland would return for two further series airing respectively in 2020 and 2021. Henshall is confirmed to return to his role, along with O’Donnel.