When Shetland‘s leading man, Douglas Henshall, left the BBC crime drama after seven seasons, the question on everyone’s minds was clear. How would the show fare with a different Detective Inspector to take his place?
Thankfully, Shetland season 8 rose to the challenge, introducing Ashley Jensen’s emotionally distant yet compelling DI Ruth Calder—and the series produced another twisting and frankly tragic family mystery. Series regular Alison O’Donnell, who plays DS Alison “Tosh” McIntosh, stepped up to lead the team as a “temporary DI” and fulfilled that role beautifully. Now, with season 8 wrapped up, there’s a different question on everyone’s minds: will Shetland return for season 9?
Will Shetland return for season 9?
The BBC has officially confirmed that Shetland will be returning for a ninth and tenth season. This dual renewal isn’t necessarily surprising, as Shetland season 8 was one of the BBC’s most-watched programs in 2023, especially in Scotland, where it became the “second biggest drama across all channels and streamers” just behind Happy Valley’s final season.
Both Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell will be reprising their respective roles. Also returning are Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson, Lewis Howden as Sergeant Billy McCabe, and Anne Kidd as Doctor Cora McLean. Filming for Shetland season 9 is set to begin in late March throughout the rest of the year and in 2025, and, as ever, will take place on location in Shetland and across Scotland.
Shetland season 8 told a complete story, solving the tragic murder of Ellen Quinn and unraveling the harrowing familial dynamics at play that led to her death. With the Quinn family’s darkest secrets exposed and Ruth’s friend Cal’s death confirmed as an accident, the series is now free to move on to a new case for its upcoming season.
(featured image: BBC)
