Douglas Henshall to Star in new BBC Drama Shetland

Scottish actor Douglas Henshall has been cast in the lead role in a new BBC drama called Shetland. The new 2 part drama is produced by ITV Studies for BBC Scotland and will be broadcast on BBC One. Shetland is written by David Kane and adapted from a series of crime novels by Ann Cleeves.

The murder-mystery is set in the stunning Scottish locations of the Shetland Isles. Henshall will play Detective Jimmy Perez, a native Shetlander who returns home after years away.

Jimmy Perez is a widower with a dry sense of humour and a wish to protect his homeland of the Shetland Isles from change. A young archeologist soon finds a set of human remains and the island community is intrigued to know weather this is an ancient find or a contemporary mystery. Soon an elderly woman is shot in a tragic accident and Perez and his team are at the centre of a family feud who's bitterness has torn the community apart.

Douglas Henshall says: "I am very much looking forward to working with David Kane, filming in Scotland and being back on BBC One.”

Elaine Collins, Executive Producer, ITV Studios, adds: “We are delighted to be working with the BBC on this commission. Shetland combines eccentric yet warm characters and a classic murder mystery story with the beautiful landscape and rich history of the Shetland Islands and we believe it will be hugely popular with viewers.”

Christopher Aird, Head of Drama, Scotland and Executive Producer, BBC says: “Shetland has a fantastic combination of writing, acting, directing and producing talent. It is a hugely exciting story and part of a project to bring the very best drama to BBC Scotland in the coming years.”

Shetland is the latest addition to BBC Scotland’s thriving drama department which is home to Waterloo Road (BBC One), Lip Service (BBC Three), Field Of Blood (BBC One Scotland) and River City (BBC One Scotland).