THE BBC has announced the new guest cast for the return of hit crime drama Shetland.
Acclaimed actor Ian Hart (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Harry Potter) and Vincent Regan (Traces, Aquaman) lead the guest cast alongside series favourites Ashley Jensen (below) and Alison O’Donnell as filming begins on the new series.
Shetland will film in locations around Scotland as well as in the Shetland Isles over the coming months, with the series debuting on BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
Originally based on the award-winning novel series by crime writer Ann Cleeves, the new series sees DI Calder (Jensen) throw in in at the deep end after a friend of Tosh’s (O’Donnell) goes missing.
Hart, who starred as Professor Quirrell in the first Harry Potter film said: “I’m looking forward to embarking on a Shetland adventure – it’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit and to do so with this incredible drama is wonderful.”
READ MORE: Popular Scottish festival cancelled for 2024 amid funding concerns
Other guest stars in the upcoming series include Stuart Campbell (SAS Rogue Heroes, Baptiste) and Robert Jack (Annika, Damaged).
Regan meanwhile commented: “I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of Shetland which is such a beloved BBC drama.
“My character and his family are at the heart of this dark and twisting storyline and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.
“The opportunity to visit the Shetland Isles was also a real pull to the part as well as working with the likes of Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell.”
The BBC reports that the last series averaged seven million viewers across its run with the drama becoming the second-biggest in Scotland across all channels and streamers, behind Happy Valley.
The ninth series was part of a double commission recently announced by the BBC while series 10 of Shetland will be filmed in 2025.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel