BBC's acclaimed crime drama Shetland has found itself at the centre of a storm after viewers spotted a glaring historical inaccuracy that has left fans questioning the show's attention to detail.
The mistake occurred during the latest series, which features flashbacks to 1989, when dedicated fans noticed something seriously amiss with the police uniforms. Rather than sporting the authentic 1980s attire, officers were seen wearing modern-day black stab vests - equipment that wouldn't be introduced to Scottish police forces until decades later.
Social Media Erupts Over Timeline Troubles
The anachronism didn't go unnoticed by Shetland's devoted audience, who quickly took to social media to voice their disbelief. One frustrated viewer commented: "Watching Shetland and they've got modern police uniforms in the 1989 flashbacks. Black stab vests weren't around then! Sort it out BBC."
Another added: "Love Shetland but the police uniform blunder is really distracting. How did this get past the production team?"
A Pattern of Production Problems
This isn't the first time the popular Scottish drama has faced criticism for historical inaccuracies. Previous episodes have featured similar timeline troubles, including the appearance of modern vehicles in scenes supposedly set decades ago.
The consistency errors have left many loyal viewers wondering about the quality control processes behind one of the BBC's flagship dramas. With such a dedicated fanbase scrutinising every detail, these mistakes threaten to undermine the authenticity that makes period drama so compelling.
What This Means for Future Episodes
As Shetland continues to blend past and present storylines, the pressure is on for producers to maintain historical accuracy. Viewers have made it clear that they expect better from a drama of this calibre, especially one that has built its reputation on atmospheric authenticity and attention to detail.
The BBC has yet to comment on the uniform controversy, but fans will be watching closely to see if future episodes address these concerns or if similar errors slip through the net again.
