Shetland returns to BBC One for an 11th season, and the Scottish detective drama will see hidden secrets unearthed from a watery grave. The team makes a grim discovery when the remains of a man are found in a car dredged from the water.
The car belongs to Dr Raymond Linden, a respected local GP who fled the isles nine years ago. An investigation unfolds to track down Dr Linden and uncover the victim's identity.
As the detectives dig deeper, they must speak to Raymond Linden's family, and the investigation takes them to unexpectedly dark and dangerous places in their quest for the truth.
Detectives and the Missing Doctor
DI Ruth Calder is played by Scottish actress Ashley Jensen, who is otherwise known for her roles in Extras, Ugly Betty and Agatha Raisin. In August 2023, Jensen married Vera actor Kenny Doughty. Ahead of the new season, she said: "I think one of her biggest challenges is feeling abandoned. It's nobody's fault, but she's finally allowed herself to relax. She might even have quietly admitted to herself, 'I'm actually quite content. I'm happy'. And then her whole world is shaken again."
DI Alison 'Tosh' McIntosh is played by Alison O'Donnell, who announced she would be leaving the show after 14 years. On filming her final scenes, she shared: "When something is as seismic as this was, you just can't really take it in as you're doing it. It's like trying to look directly at the sun. It's too big and powerful. So, I just got my costume on and went to set and tried to soak it all in and spend time with my favourite people and serve the scenes." O'Donnell is a Scottish actress who has previously starred in small roles in Holby City and Feel the Force.
Supporting Cast and Local Characters
DC Sandy Wilson is played by Steven Robertson, a Scottish actor who played Michael Connelly in Inside I'm Dancing and Dominic Rook in Being Human. The new season sees Sandy grow close to recluse Donald Pierce, a strange local involved in the case. PC Billy McCabe, dealing with the fallout of his demotion, is played by Lewis Howden, who has previously starred in Taggart, Hope Springs and Annika.
Emily Linden, the Doctor's wife, is played by Christine Bottomley, an English actress known for her roles in Early Doors, Heartbeat, Shameless and The Nest. Donald Pierce, a recluse who lives in a small croft overlooking the pier where Linden's car was sunk, is played by Gregor Fisher, a Scottish comedian and actor best known for playing the title character in Rab C. Nesbitt.
Martha Linden, Raymond's mother, is played by Stella Gonet, a Scottish theatre actress whose TV credits include The House of Eliott and Holby City. Graeme Gould, Raymond Linden's best friend and practice partner, is played by Kevin Harvey, an actor from Liverpool known for his role as Bobby Duffy in This City is Ours.
Shetland airs on BBC One on November 12 at 9pm.
