Ashley Jensen has revealed that the upcoming series of Shetland will be a "slow burner" in which "everyone has a secret", as the crime drama returns to BBC One and iPlayer on November 12.
Appearing on The One Show on Thursday, November 5, the actress, who plays DI Ruth Calder, discussed what viewers can expect from series 11. The story centres on a historic murder that will forever change the lives of those connected to it in the present day.
Grim Discovery and a Missing GP
The team makes a grim discovery when a car is dredged from the water and skeletal remains of an unknown male are found in the boot. The car belongs to Dr Raymond Linden, a respected local GP who fled the isles nine years ago, prompting an investigation to track him down and uncover the victim's identity.
Asked by hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp what long-time fans can expect, Jensen said: "This year it's a real slow burner. It starts looking into all these people's lives, everyone has a secret. Literally everyone has a secret."
Interrelated Secrets and a Crescendo
She added: "They're all interrelated with each other. The body in the back of the boot - who is it? She (her character Ruth) is almost happy."
"And throughout the series people start to kind of leave her. Her brother is up to something, Tosh is up to something. So it escalates this season to quite a crescendo."
A New Cast Member and a Poignant Farewell
Jones also asked about a new cast member joining the series, hinting it was one of Jensen's "comedy heroes". Jensen confirmed it was actor Gregor Fisher, famed for playing comedic character Rab C Nesbitt in the Scottish sitcom of the same name.
Jensen said: "When I found out he was doing (Shetland), I was delighted. We did a stage show back in 1993 together and we travelled up and down the country. At the end of his show he was literally like Mick Jagger, he would take off his headband and throw it into the audience, it was amazing. So absolutely wonderful to see him again."
The show is also losing the character of Tosh. Jensen revealed that she had "quite the send off" on set, explaining: "On her last scene, quite a lot of the crew members turned up wearing Tosh jumpers and their hair in buns as a sign of respect."
The One Show airs weekdays at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer. The new series of Shetland returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on November 12.
