BBC’s “Shetland” Gets Two More Series Renewal

Fans of the critically-acclaimed drama Shetland have something to look forward to, as the BBC has announced that the series has been commissioned for two new series. This comes after the success of its 2023 series and reaffirms the BBC’s commitment to this beloved Scottish drama.

The upcoming ninth and tenth series of Shetland will be produced by Silverprint Pictures for the BBC, with filming set to take place on location in the Shetland Isles and across Scotland in 2024 and 2025. The first season, which begins filming this month, will see Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell returning as Detectives Ruth Calder and Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh.

Shetland has garnered a loyal fanbase on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with an average viewership of 7.0 million throughout its run, similar to previous seasons. In Scotland, it was ranked as the second biggest drama of the year across all channels and streaming platforms, coming in just behind Happy Valley.

Based on award-winning novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves, Shetland will also feature other familiar faces such as Steven Robertson (Sandy), Lewis Howden (Billy), and Anne Kidd (Cora). More casting announcements are expected to follow in due course.

Ashley Jensen expressed her excitement about returning to play DI Ruth Calder: “I’m thrilled I’ll be returning to the Shetland Isles again… The reaction to the last series was incredible… I’m looking forward to jumping on that wee plane again and returning soon.”

Alison O’Donnell shared her enthusiasm about continuing her journey on Shetland: “I could not be happier that Shetland is returning for two more series… That we have managed to grow such a loyal and supportive viewership is a dream come true.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, highlighted how delighted she is about bringing back Shetland for two new series: “Ashley and Alison’s partnership has taken Shetland from strength to strength… there’s plenty more in store as we head back to the Isles.”

Lead writer Paul Logue, along with Denise Paul, will be responsible for crafting the scripts for the new series. Series 9 will be produced by Louise V Say and directed by Andrew Cumming and Ruth Paxton. The executive producers include Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, Kate Bartlett, Denise Paul, and Paul Logue.

Shetland is part of a growing roster of BBC dramas hailing from Scotland. Other notable shows include Nightsleeper, Granite Harbour, and Lockerbie. The international distribution of Shetland will be handled by ITV Studios.

Image Credit: BBC/Silverprint Pictures/Kirsty Anderson/Matt Burlem