A BBC crime drama has been hailed as 'one of the best things' fans have ever watched, with many comparing it to iconic series like Broadchurch and Luther. The show in question is the popular rural mystery Shetland, which has been described as 'nothing short of extraordinary'.
What Makes Shetland So Special?
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Shetland Islands, the series explores the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. First broadcast on BBC One in March 2013, Shetland is a long-running detective drama based on the murder mystery novels by Ann Cleeves, adapted for television by David Kane.
The show originally starred Douglas Henshall as Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez, a recent arrival to Shetland following his wife's death. The first series, based on Cleeves' book Red Bones, follows DI Perez and his team as they investigate two murders: the shooting of elderly Mima Wilson and the killing of an archaeologist. As the investigation unfolds, long-standing rivalries, a love affair, and betrayals dating back to World War II are uncovered.
Douglas Henshall left the series after season seven, with Ashley Jensen taking over as DI Ruth Calder from season eight onward.
Fan and Critic Praise
On Rotten Tomatoes, one fan raved: 'One of the best things I've ever watched. I love detective dramas, and I wish there were more of this quality. Beautiful scenery, great acting, and a wonderful script/story. The lead actor's performance, at least in this first season, is nothing short of extraordinary!'
Another viewer agreed: 'This show is the standard for incredible British murder mystery series. The landscape is gorgeous, you can feel the sea and the cool winds, and the main characters are wonderful.'
A third simply said: 'I loved this whole series. Brilliant.'
One fan added: 'I love this series. I love all the characters and the scenery is magnificent. Douglas Henshall is an amazing actor.'
Another shared: 'One of my all time favorite crime dramas. Never miss a season. Great stories, beautiful location, amazing character development. Can't recommend this enough.'
Mixed Reviews for Later Seasons
While many fans adore the series, some feel the later seasons haven't lived up to the earlier ones. One former fan commented: 'Up to and including season 4, I would rate this a 4 out of 5, but with season 5, it went downhill fast.'
However, another viewer wasn't put off: 'Solid writing and characterisation, augmented by a terrific sense of place. The structure of the plot lines feel a little familiar after the first few seasons, though the particular plot twists aren't too predictable.'
Shetland is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
