Ashley Jensen's Shetland wins commissions for new series

Ashley Jensen has said she is "thrilled" Shetland is being recommissioned after taking over from Douglas Henshall as the leading character in the crime drama.

The BBC show's being given two series and will filming will start later this month and last through until next year.

The programme is shot on locations in Shetland but eagled-eyed viewers will notice places in Glasgow and the west of Scotland which double as the windswept islands at the far northern reaches of the UK.

Local locations

In 2021 a coffee shop in the Renfewshire village of Kilbarchan was transformed to represent a Syrian deli in one of the storylines.

The remote single track road that runs across the hills from Greenock to Largs has been used on a number of occasions for car chase scenes.

Favourite characters return

The new series will see Ashley Jensen and Alison O'Donnell reprise their roles as detectives Ruth Calder and Alison "Tosh" McIntosh.

Annan-born Ashley Jensen joined the drama for series eight following the departure of Douglas Henshall, who had spent almost a decade playing Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez in the show, originally based on the award-winning novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves.

The 54-year-old actress said: "I'm thrilled I'll be returning to the Shetland Isles again to play the wonderfully complex DI Ruth Calder.

"The reaction to the last series was incredible and I'm excited at the prospect of unravelling more intrigue.

"The Shetland Isles are breath-taking - without a doubt one of the most memorable and unique filming locations I've been to.

"I'm looking forward to jumping on that wee plane again and returning soon."

Series nine will also see the return of regulars Steven Robertson, who plays detective Sandy Wilson, Lewis Howden (police officer Billy McCabe) and Anne Kidd (Cora McLean).

The new series of Shetland will be written by lead writer Paul Logue and Denise Paul.

Tosh returns

O'Donnell said: "I could not be happier that Shetland is returning for two more series and am so excited to get started.

"I'm really proud of the journey this show has been on and of the way it continues to evolve and grow in exciting and surprising ways.

"That we have managed to grow such a loyal and supportive viewership is a dream come true.

"Ashley and I just scratched the surface of our dynamic in series eight and I am delighted that we now have the opportunity to build on that.

"I can't wait to see what Paul and the team have in store for us next."

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