The BBC has announced a brand new murder mystery with a Shetland star in the lead role.

An t-Eilean (The Island) will be its first-ever high-end Gaelic drama, featuring dialogue in the Celtic language and English.

The four-part series will air in early 2025, with the BBC promising plenty of ‘twists and turns along the way’.

Set against the backdrop of the Western Isles of Scotland, it follows the brutal murder of a local tycoon’s wife at a remote island mansion.

Leading the cast is Sorcha Groundsell as Kat Crichton – a young Family Liaison Officer who’s tasked to investigate the brutal murder of the wife of a local tycoon.

Sorcha previously played Bryd Fleming in Shetland – and had roles in  Netflix‘s The Innocents and BBC fantasy drama His Dark Materials.

The BBC has announced a brand new murder mystery with a Shetland star in the lead role

An t-Eilean (The Island) will be its first-ever high-end Gaelic drama, featuring dialogue in the Celtic language and English

The murder investigation takes place on the island of Lewis and Harris, which saw Kat flee the location ten years earlier under mysterious circumstances.

Discussing the upcoming drama, Sorcha Groundsell said: ‘This feels like a watershed moment for Gaelic.

‘Across the world, we are seeing indigenous languages step confidently out from the shadows to enjoy the recognition they deserve.

‘I see our show as part of that wider movement; a celebration of all that makes us unique.’

Continuing, she added: ‘Working on An t-Eilean has been a privilege and a joy.

‘I’m so proud to have been part of a production that is pioneering these new horizons for Gaelic and showcasing the beauty, creativity and depth our language brings to the world.’

Joining Sorcha is Industry star Saga Radia, playing her boss DCI Ahmed Halim.

He said: ‘Being part of An t-Eilean has been an exciting experience for me.

Leading the cast is Sorcha Groundsell as Kat Crichton – a young Family Liaison Officer who’s tasked to investigate the brutal murder of the wife of a local tycoon (Sorcaha pictured with Saga Radia)

The murder investigation takes place on the island of Lewis and Harris, which bears a mysterious connection to Kat as she fled it ten years earlier under mysterious circumstances

The four-part series will air in early 2025, with the BBC promising plenty of ‘twists and turns along the way’

‘The show really allowed us to showcase the beauty of Gaelic culture and language in a way that feels authentic.

‘It’s about bringing the islands’ rich history to life for viewers and I’m so proud to be part of that.’

The cast also includes Outlander’s Sinéad MacInnes as Eilidh, Andrew Macinnes as Calum, Meredith Brook as Sìne and Sam James Smith as Ruaraidh.

Daibhidh Walker, Sharyn Ferguson, Carina MacLeod, Tormod Macleòid, MJ Deans, Iain ‘Spanish’ Mackay and Julia Taudevin also star in the series.

Directed by Tom Sullivan, An t-Eilean is co-written by Nicholas Osborne and Patsi Mackenzie.