The rugged cliffs of the Shetland Isles have long been more than just a backdrop; they’re a character in their own right, whispering secrets of betrayal, loss, and redemption. For years, the BBC’s Shetland captivated audiences with its moody, Nordic-noir-inspired storytelling, anchored by Douglas Henshall’s unforgettable portrayal of DI Jimmy Perez. But when Henshall departed after the seventh series in 2022, and Ashley Jensen stepped in as DI Ruth Calder, the show’s shift in tone left fans divided. Some embraced the fresh perspective, while others longed for the soulful grit of the original. Now, in a move that has sent shockwaves through the fandom, Shetland is returning to its classic format, with Henshall reprising his iconic role. The chunky knitwear, the piercing silences, and the labyrinthine mysteries that defined the series are back—and the isles have never felt more alive.
A Polarizing Transition
When Douglas Henshall announced his exit from Shetland after nearly a decade, it was a gut punch for fans. His portrayal of Jimmy Perez, a detective as weathered as the Shetland landscape, was the heartbeat of the series. Perez wasn’t just a cop; he was a man carrying the weight of personal tragedy, navigating the tight-knit island community with a quiet intensity that made every case feel deeply personal. Henshall’s performance earned him a BAFTA Scotland award in 2016, and the series itself was lauded for its atmospheric storytelling, rooted in Ann Cleeves’ bestselling novels.
The introduction of Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder in series eight was a bold gamble. Jensen, known for her comedic roles in Ugly Betty and After Life, brought a different energy to the show. Her character, a native Shetlander who had fled to London for 20 years, was sharp, guarded, and often at odds with the island’s insular culture. Paired with Alison O’Donnell’s newly promoted DI Alison “Tosh” McIntosh, Calder tackled cases that blended gritty crime with personal drama, including a London gangland murder and a web of local secrets. The shift to a female-led dynamic was praised by some for refreshing the series, with Jensen’s nuanced performance highlighting Calder’s struggle to reconcile her past with her present.
Yet, for many longtime fans, the change felt like a betrayal of Shetland’s core identity. The slower, character-driven pace that defined the Perez era gave way to a faster, more urban sensibility. Social media buzzed with complaints about Calder’s “snippy” demeanor and the loss of the show’s melancholic soul. Posts on X reflected the sentiment, with fans lamenting, “Shetland isn’t Shetland without Jimmy Perez’s brooding presence.” Others criticized the writing, arguing that Calder’s character lacked the depth that made Perez so compelling. The series’ ratings remained strong—averaging seven million viewers in series eight—but the vocal fanbase made it clear: they wanted their Shetland back.
The Return of Jimmy Perez
In a surprising twist, the BBC has answered those calls. Filming for series 11 began in early 2025, and Douglas Henshall’s return as Jimmy Perez has ignited a firestorm of excitement. While details about the new series are tightly under wraps, insiders hint that the show is returning to its classic format, emphasizing the slow-burn mysteries and emotional depth that made it a global hit. The decision comes on the heels of Ann Cleeves’ announcement of a new Jimmy Perez novel, The Killing Stones, set for release in October 2025, which will see Perez investigating a tragic shooting on Fair Isle. The novel’s plot, described as a deep dive into feuding families and buried secrets, suggests that the TV series may adapt elements of this story, bringing back the intricate, community-driven cases fans adored.
Henshall’s return is a coup for the BBC, especially after his comments in 2022 suggested he was ready to move on. Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, he said, “I was comfortable to say goodbye to [Perez], but it will probably be a bit weird for a wee while.” Since leaving Shetland, Henshall has taken on diverse roles, from Netflix’s Who Is Erin Carter? to the BBC’s Agatha Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy. His latest project, the Icelandic thriller The Darkness, alongside Lena Olin and Jack Bannon, showcases his versatility. Yet, fans have never stopped clamoring for his return, and Cleeves’ new novel provided the perfect opportunity to bring Perez back to the small screen.
What prompted Henshall’s change of heart? While the actor has remained tight-lipped, sources close to the production suggest that discussions with Cleeves and the Shetland creative team played a key role. The new series will reportedly explore Perez’s life after a period of absence, addressing the emotional toll of his past cases while plunging him into a chilling new mystery. The return of familiar faces, including Alison O’Donnell as Tosh, Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson, and Lewis Howden as Sgt Billy McCabe, ensures continuity, while the classic format promises a return to the show’s roots: haunting landscapes, morally complex characters, and cases that unravel the dark underbelly of Shetland’s close-knit communities.
Why the Classic Format Matters
Shetland has always stood out in the crowded crime drama landscape for its unique blend of Nordic noir and Scottish grit. Unlike flashier detective shows, it leans heavily on atmosphere, with the stark beauty of the Shetland Isles—its windswept cliffs, endless seas, and isolated hamlets—setting the tone for stories that are as much about human nature as they are about crime. The early series, based on Cleeves’ novels like Raven Black and Red Bones, were masterclasses in pacing, allowing mysteries to unfold gradually while exploring the personal lives of the investigators and the islanders they served.
Under Henshall’s tenure, Shetland became a global phenomenon, airing in countries from Japan to the United States, where it found a home on BritBox and PBS. Its appeal lay in its authenticity: the Shetland dialect, the cultural references like Up Helly Aa, and the sense that every case was deeply tied to the islands’ history and people. Fans on X have praised the show’s ability to “make the landscape a character,” with one user noting, “The way Shetland captures the isolation and beauty of the isles is unmatched. Perez’s quiet strength tied it all together.”
The Calder era, while ambitious, struggled to maintain this delicate balance. Jensen’s urban background and the introduction of mainland-centric plots, like the London gangland case in series eight, felt jarring to some viewers. The faster pacing and focus on Calder’s personal drama—her estranged brother, her rejection of Shetland’s culture—shifted the spotlight away from the islands themselves. Critics argued that the show lost its sense of place, a sentiment echoed in online forums where fans debated whether Shetland could survive without its signature moodiness.
What to Expect from Series 11
The return to the classic format is a clear signal that the BBC is listening to its audience. Series 11 is expected to dial back the urban influences, focusing instead on cases that are deeply rooted in Shetland’s communities. Rumors suggest that the new season will tackle a multi-layered mystery involving a decades-old feud, with Perez navigating the tensions between tradition and modernity on the islands. The return of the six-episode arc, a format that proved successful in series three onward, will allow for a single, sprawling story that weaves together personal and professional stakes.
Henshall’s Perez is likely to be a changed man, carrying the scars of his past while rediscovering his purpose as a detective. His dynamic with Tosh, always a highlight of the series, will be central, with O’Donnell’s character stepping into a more confident leadership role after her promotion to DI. The interplay between Perez’s introspective nature and Tosh’s growing assertiveness promises to ground the series in the character-driven storytelling fans have missed. Supporting characters like Sandy and Billy will provide the familiar warmth and humor that balance the show’s darker themes, while new guest stars—potentially including high-profile names, given Shetland’s casting clout—will add fresh intrigue.
The Shetland Isles themselves will once again take center stage. Filming locations like Lerwick, the North Mainland, and Fair Isle will showcase the islands’ haunting beauty, with sweeping shots of stormy seas and rugged cliffs amplifying the noir aesthetic. The production team, led by writers Paul Logue and Denise Paul, is known for its meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that the cultural and historical nuances of Shetland—its fishing heritage, its Viking roots— are woven into the narrative.
A New Chapter, Rooted in the Past
The return of Douglas Henshall and the classic Shetland format is more than just a nostalgia play; it’s a reaffirmation of what made the series special. In an era where crime dramas often rely on shock value or convoluted twists, Shetland has always been about the human cost of crime— the families torn apart, the secrets that fester in small communities, the quiet heroism of those who seek justice. Perez embodies that ethos, and Henshall’s ability to convey both strength and vulnerability makes him the perfect vessel for these stories.
For fans, the news is a cause for celebration. Social media is abuzz with excitement, with one X post declaring, “Jimmy Perez is back, and Shetland is whole again!” The challenge for the creative team will be to honor the show’s legacy while keeping it fresh, especially after the bold experiment of the Calder era. Jensen’s departure, while bittersweet for her fans, paves the way for a return to the series’ roots, and her contribution to keeping Shetland alive during a transitional period shouldn’t be overlooked.
As the winds howl across the Shetland Isles, a familiar figure in a woolen jumper will once again walk their shores, unraveling mysteries that are as timeless as the landscape itself. Series 11 promises to be a love letter to longtime fans, a reminder that some stories—and some detectives—are too powerful to stay away for long. Shetland is back, and it’s ready to reclaim its place as one of television’s most haunting and heartfelt crime dramas.
