EastEnders, Holby City and Downton Abbey stars join Shetland as series 8 filming finally kicks off
EASTENDERS, Holby City and Downton Abbey stars will join Shetland – as series 8 filming finally kicks off.
The acclaimed BBC murder mystery series is filmed on location around Scotland and the Shetland Isles.
The new series of Shetland will be the first since Douglas Henshall left his role as Jimmy Perez, and will see After Life’s Ashley Jensen join as Met Police Detective Inspector Ruth Calder.
Ruth returns to her native Shetland to retrieve the vulnerable witness to a gangland murder.
Tosh (Alison O’Donnell) must pause her investigation into a string of mysterious animal deaths to help DI Ruth Calder find the witness before it’s too late.
However, Calder’s hostility to Shetland will challenge Tosh’s view of her adopted home and their journey into the darker recesses of Shetland’s past and present will test this fragile, new partnership.
Joining the women on the show will be a whole host of familiar faces from some of the biggest shows on TV.
These include Downton Abbey’s Phyllis Logan, Holby City’s Dawn Steele, EastEnders’ Don Gilet and Guilt’s Jamie Sives.
River City’s Ann Louise Ross and Outlander’s Lorraine McIntosh complete the guest stars for series eight.
They will star alongside series regulars including 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).
Gaynor Holmes, Commissioning Editor for the BBC said: “We couldn’t be more delighted to see Shetland return with such a stellar cast and a brand new, taut and thrilling murder mystery to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
“We’re very excited to see the show embark on this fantastic new chapter, with its unique blend of haunting atmosphere, rich character and emotional storytelling.”
Kate Bartlett, Executive Producer for Silverprint Pictures added: “We’re so excited about this new series of Shetland with Ashley and Alison and all our wonderful returning and guest cast.
“Paul Logue has created a distinctive and emotionally complex story, set against the stunning and evocative landscape of the Shetland Isles. We’re thrilled to be making this new series with such incredible Scottish talent.”
Shetland is available on BBC iPlayer.