Films So Good

The filming of a popular drama has begun, and the BBC has released a behind-the-scenes photo featuring new lead Ashley Jensen (Mayflies, After Life) and longstanding cast member Alison O’Donnell. It is a milestone year for the series as it marks the first season after the departure of Douglas Henshall.

Additionally, there have been recent casting announcements. Joining the cast of Shetland for the eighth series are Phyllis Logan (Guilt, Downtown Abbey), Jamie Sives (Guilt, Annika), Dawn Steele (Holby City, Granite Harbour), Don Gilet (EastEnders, Sherwood), Ann Louise Ross (River City, Katie Morag) and Lorraine McIntosh (Outlander, My Name is Joe). The returning cast for the series includes Steven Robertson (playing DC Sandy Wilson), Lewis Howden (Sgt Billy McCabe), Anne Kidd (Cora McLean), Angus Miller (Donnie), Conor McCarry (PC Alex Grant) and Eubha Akilade (PC Lorna Burns).

Plot

“Shetland” is originally based on the award-winning crime novels by Ann Cleeves. In the new series, Met Police Detective Inspector Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) returns to her hometown of Shetland to retrieve a vulnerable witness to a gangland murder. Meanwhile, Alison O’Donnell’s character Tosh must pause her investigation into a string of mysterious animal deaths to assist DI Calder in finding the witness before it’s too late.

However, DI Calder’s hostility towards Shetland will challenge Tosh’s perception of her adopted home, and their journey into the darker aspects of Shetland’s past and present will test their delicate new partnership.

“Shetland” is a beloved show among millions of fans who watch it on BBC One and iPlayer. The last series of the show had an average of 7.2 million viewers across its run.

Image: BBC/Silverprint Pictures/Mark Mainz: Alison O’Donnell pictured alongside new lead Ashley Jensen

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