Acclaimed Scottish actor Ashley Jensen will lead the cast of the hit BBC murder mystery series Shetland when it returns next year.
She will star as DI Ruth Calder, stepping into the shoes of DI Jimmy Perez after Dougie Henshall bowed out of the acclaimed crime drama earlier this year.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Shetland as DI Ruth Calder,” said Ashley, who has been in a slew of top series, including Extra, After Life and Ugly Betty.
“It’s such a hugely successful show and I am aware I have very big boots to fill since the departure of DI Perez, who was very much loved by fans of the show.”
Different dynamic with Shetland characters says Ashley Jensen
DI Calder is a native Shetlander returning to the isles after 20 years working for the Met in London. She will make her debut, working closely with DS Alison “Tosh” McIntosh, played by Alison O’Donnell.
Ashley said: “There will be a different dynamic with Ruth amongst the regular characters and a few more new interesting characters to enjoy.
“However the integrity of the show and the world that has been created will remain very much in the same tone as the last seven seasons. It’s a real privilege to be asked to lead this show into a new chapter. I can’t wait to be working in Scotland again. I have missed it!”
Shetland is watched by millions of fans on BBC One and iPlayer, with the most recent series averaging 7.2 million viewers across its run.
When will Shetland start filming the new series on location?
Filming for the new series, its eighth, will start on the Shetland Isles and across Scotland in the spring of next year.
Kate Bartlett, executive producer for Silverprint Pictures, the show’s producers, said: “We’re so thrilled that Ashley is going to be leading this new series of Shetland, alongside Alison O’Donnell as Tosh.
“They will be an exciting duo in (writer) Paul Logue’s compelling new version. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to make another series with such incredible Scottish talent.”
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