First look at upcoming series of BBC's 'Shetland'

The BBC has released new pictures for Shetland, which returns on Wednesday 6 November.

A Silverprint Pictures production (part of ITV Studios) for the BBC, Shetland filmed earlier this year on the Shetland Isles and across Scotland.

The new series will see Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell return reprise their roles as Detectives Ruth Calder and Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh respectively.

Originally based on award-winning novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves, the six-part series sees DI Calder (Jensen) – now a resident of the Isles – thrown in at the deep end after a friend of Tosh’s (O’Donnell) goes missing. 

Series regulars Steven Robertson (Sandy), Lewis Howden (Billy) and Anne Kidd (Cora) return, while Ian Hart (Mr Bates VS The Post Office, Harry Potter, The Responder) and Vincent Regan (Traces, Luther: The Fallen Sun, Aquaman) lead the guest cast.

Shetland series nine is written by lead writers Paul Logue and Denise Paul. Series nine is produced by Louise V Say (Dracula, Les Miserables) and directed by Andrew Cumming (Out of Darkness) and Ruth Paxton (A Banquet). Executive producers are Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, Kate Bartlett, Denise Paul and Paul Logue for Silverprint Pictures.

UK-based Caledonian Classic Arms Limited provide armoury services, post-production facilities by Hyperactive Broadcast, and camera equipment provided by US-based Panavision.

Shetland is part of a growing list of BBC dramas from Scotland, including Nightsleeper, Granite Harbour and the forthcoming Lockerbie and Lions. Shetland is internationally distributed by ITV Studios.

Ross Anderson, Vincent Regan and Macleod Stephen as Patrick, John and Fegrus Harris (Image: BBC/Robert Pereira Hind/ITV Studios)

Ian Hart as Professor Euan Rossi (Image: BBC/Robert Pereira Hind /ITV Studios)

Robert Jack as Ian Bett (Image: BBC/Jamie Simpson/ITV Studios)