The BBC drama Shetland returns for series 11 on Thursday evening (November 12), with Alison O'Donnell's final appearance as DI Alison 'Tosh' McIntosh. The series, based on Ann Cleeves' novels and adapted by David Kane, follows detectives as they tackle cases ranging from mysteries to family secrets.
Who's in the cast for series 11?
Douglas Henshall played the lead role of DI Jimmy Perez across the first seven series, with Ashley Jensen taking over as DI Ruth Calder from series eight. DI Tosh has worked alongside both detectives since the programme began 13 years ago, but now steps down from the force.
Joining O'Donnell and Jensen in series 11 are Steven Robertson (DC Sandy Wilson), Samuel Anderson (Procurator Fiscal Matt Blake), Steven Miller (Rev Alan Calder), Anne Kidd (pathologist Cora McLean), Angus Miller (Tosh's partner Donnie), Conor McCarry (PC Alex Grant) and Eubha Akilade (PC Lorna Burns). Sergeant Billy McCabe, played by Lewis Howden, also returns after his fate was left uncertain at the end of series 10, reports the Daily Record.
Why did Jimmy Perez leave?
Viewers last saw DI Jimmy Perez, portrayed by Douglas Henshall, in 2022, when he departed with his partner Meg, played by Lucianne McEvoy. After establishing the innocence of American painter Lloyd Anderson in a historic murder case, Perez released him, which led to him handing in his detective badge.
At the time of his exit, Douglas explained: "It's been one of the privileges of my career to play Jimmy Perez for almost 10 years and to work with so many wonderful people both in front of and behind the camera, and also to spend so much time in Shetland. The Isles were so much a part of our show and of Perez himself. I'll miss him and the place."
He disclosed that he felt Jimmy's narrative had run its course and that he was keen to pursue fresh challenges. In conversation with the BBC, he stated: "I decided to leave a few years ago because I felt that Perez's story was coming to a natural end - it was time to find a resolution to Perez's private life. I never wanted to ruin the things that were unique to him and our series, so it felt like the right time to wrap up his story in a way that would be satisfactory to everybody."
He continued: "I am aware we're not changing the world in any way, shape or form but as far as crime shows go, Shetland does really well in that genre. We tell stories that are very good, the characters are great and I wanted to go out on a high."
Could Henshall return to Shetland?
Ann Cleeves' most recent novel, The Killing Stones, was published in 2025 and picks up the narrative seven years after the preceding book, Red Bones, with Perez relocating from Shetland to the island of Orkney. However, Cleeves suspects the television version of Shetland will remain centred on DI Ruth Calder.
Speaking about the possibility of Jimmy Perez's return to screens, Cleeves stated: "That would be down to Dougie Henshall," according to The Scotsman. "But I don't think so. He has moved on, and I like the two women together; they have a bit of a Cagney and Lacey feel about them. I really enjoy that. I think the TV show is absolutely brilliant," she added.
Yet Douglas has firmly shut down any comeback speculation for now. In a 2022 conversation with This Morning presenter Alison Hammond, when questioned about a possible return, Douglas responded: "No, I'm done."
At the centre of Shetland series 11 lies a historical murder poised to affect those linked to the case in the present day. While the programme was initially adapted from Cleeves' book collection, the latest series isn't drawn from any specific title. Shetland airs on Thursday at 9pm on BBC and iPlayer.
