The highly-anticipated eighth series of the murder mystery Shetland is back on BBC tonight.
Following season seven’s cliffhanger finale, the long-awaited season eight of Shetland is set to air tonight at 8pm on BBC One, as well as becoming available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Season eight of the show, based on the novels by best-selling author Ann Cleeves and filmed across Shetland earlier this year, follow detectives on the trail of a vulnerable witness, Ellen Quinn, to a London gangland murder.
It will be the first season without Douglas Henshall, who played DI Jimmy Perez for seven series, and the show will be anchored by Alison O’Donnell as DS Tosh McIntosh and new addition Ashley Jensen, who will play DI Ruth Calder.
DI Ruth Calder is a native Shetlander who returns to the isles after a 20-year stint in London, but who else will she be joined by on the island this season?
Long awaited: The highly-anticipated eighth series of the murder mystery Shetland is back on BBC One tonight at 8pm
Exit: It will be the first season without Douglas Henshall, who played DI Jimmy Perez for seven series
Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder
Ashley Jensen, 54, will take over the leading role as the character DI Ruth Calder after Douglas Henshall left the show.
Her character’s 20 years working for the Metropolitan Police in London have come to an end, with the DI now returning to her native Shetland islands.
According to The Radio Times, Ashley said ahead of her debut: ‘It’s a real privilege to be asked to lead this show into a new chapter.
‘There will be a different dynamic with Ruth amongst the regular characters and a few more new interesting characters to enjoy.’
‘However the integrity of the show and the world that has been created will remain very much in the same tone as the last seven seasons,’ she added.
Prior to joining the BBC crime series, Ashley became a global sensation when she joined the cast of American TV comedy drama Ugly Betty as Christina McKinney in 2006.
She has since appeared in Extras, Catastrophe and Ricky Gervais’ After Life.
New addition: Ashley Jensen will take over the leading role as the character DI Ruth Calder, a native Shetlander returning to the island after 20 years at the Metropolitan Police in London
New face: According to The Radio Times , Ashley said ahead of her debut: ‘It’s a real privilege to be asked to lead this show into a new chapter’
Alison O’Donnell as DS Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh
Following the exit of DI Jimmy Perez, his right-hand woman, DS ‘Tosh’ McIntosh (Alison O’Donnell) has the opportunity to step up and take over from her mentor.
Joining DI Ruth Calder on the trail of a vulnerable witness Ellen Quinn, Tosh is forced to pause her investigation into a string of sinister animal deaths in Lerwick to help Calder find Ellen before it’s too late.
Before joining Shetland in its first season in 2013, Alison starred in mainly theatre productions, including Boys, The Hard Man, Eigengrau, and Yerma.
On the small screen, O’Donnell had minor roles in BBC television productions Feel the Force (2006) and Holby City (2012), according to IMDb.
Stepping up: Tosh, played by Alison O’Donnell (left) is forced to pause her investigation into a string of sinister animal deaths in Lerwick to help Calder (right) find Ellen before it’s too late
Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson
Steven Robertson, 46, has also returned to Shetland as one of the series’ main characters, Detective Constable Sandy Wilson.
Sandy is a dedicated detective with a strong sense of right and wrong, but in season six, his feelings for Kate Kilmuir occasionally clouded his judgement and got him into trouble.
His knowledge of the local area and community made him a key member of the team.
Actor Steven grew up in the small village of Vidlin in the Shetland Islands, returning to his place of birth to film the series as the only cast member born and brought up on the islands.
Before joining the show, he played characters in numerous TV dramas, including Luther, Channel 4’s Being Human and British conspiracy thriller Utopia.
Dedicated detective: Steven Robertson returns to Shetland as one of the series’ main characters, the dedicated Detective Constable Sandy Wilson
What other main characters are returning?
Hope Spring star Lewis Howden returns as Sgt Billy McCabe and Anne Kidd, who starred in The Jacket (2005) and The Legend of King Arthur (1975), returns as medical Doctor Cora Mclean.
The pair will be joined by Shetland regulars Angus Miller as Donnie, Conor McCarry as PC Alex Grant and Eubha Akilade as PC Lorna Burns.
Police chief: Hope Spring star Lewis Howden (pictured: far right) returns as Sgt Billy McCabe
Doctor calls: Anne Kidd, who starred in The Jacket (2005) and The Legend of King Arthur (1975), returns as medical Doctor Cora Mclean
Will there be any notable guest stars?
The eighth season will see a number of notable guest stars featuring throughout various episodes, including Phyllis Logan, who previously had roles on Guilt and Downton Abbey.
Eastenders star Don Gilet, who joined the BBC soap in 2008 as serial killer Lucas Johnson, is also set to appear in season eight of Shetland.
Also joining will be Jamie Sives (Guilt, Annika), Dawn Steele (Holby City, Granite Harbour), Ann Louise Ross (River City, Katie Morag) and Lorraine McIntosh (Outlander, My Name is Joe).
The first episode of Shetland season eight will air tonight at 8pm on BBC One and available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Cast: Eastenders star Don Gilet, who joined the BBC soap in 2008 as serial killer Lucas Johnson, is also set to appear in season eight of Shetland as a guest star
