The BBC is renowned for its exceptional dramas, from the beloved police series Line of Duty to the gritty crime favorite Happy Valley and the ever-popular Sherlock. Now, one show is being hailed as 'nothing short of extraordinary' and is perfect for fans of Broadchurch.
A Crime Drama Like No Other
The acclaimed rural mystery Shetland has been praised as 'one of the best things' viewers have ever seen. The BBC describes it as examining 'the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth.' This long-standing detective drama premiered on BBC One in March 2013, initially adapted from Ann Cleeves' murder mystery novels by David Kane.
Plot and Characters
In the early seasons, Douglas Henshall portrayed Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez, who recently relocated to Shetland after his wife's death. The debut series, based on Cleeves' novel Red Bones, follows DI Perez and his colleagues as they investigate two murders: the shooting of pensioner Mima Wilson and the killing of an archaeologist. As evidence is pieced together, deep-rooted feuds, romantic entanglements, and treachery from World War II come to light.
Douglas Henshall left the show after series seven, with Ashley Jensen taking over as DI Ruth Calder from series eight onward.
Critical Acclaim
Shetland has garnered widespread acclaim on Rotten Tomatoes. One viewer wrote: '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 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 viewer simply said: 'I loved this whole series. Brilliant.'
Yet another shared: 'I love this series. I love all the characters and the scenery is magnificent. Douglas Henshall is an amazing actor.'
Another added: '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
Not all viewers were enthusiastic about later instalments. One former devotee noted: '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 remained undeterred: '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 streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
