The acclaimed BBC crime drama Shetland has made its highly anticipated return, plunging viewers back into the atmospheric landscapes of the Scottish Isles for its tenth series. The new season continues weekly, with the second episode airing on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 9pm on BBC One.
Fans can follow the six-part series as it unfolds each Wednesday, with all episodes available to stream weekly on BBC iPlayer. The new mystery centres on the small, tight-knit community of Lunniswick, where a shocking murder reveals deep-seated secrets and tragic connections between its residents.
Meet the Returning Cast of Shetland
The heart of the show remains its formidable detective duo. Ashley Jensen returns as DI Ruth Calder, now more settled in her role, while Alison O'Donnell reprises her part as the dedicated DI Alison 'Tosh' McIntosh.
They are backed by the familiar faces of the local station: Steven Robertson as DC Sandy and Lewis Howden as Sergeant Billy McCabe. This series also introduces Steven Miller as Reverend Alan Calder.
Reflecting on her character's journey, Alison O'Donnell shared that Tosh is "knuckling down at work and focussing on the things in her life that truly matter", noting that her working relationship with Calder is now "well cemented".
A Stellar Line-up of Guest Stars
As is tradition for Shetland, a host of renowned guest stars brings the latest case to life. The central mystery involves the Mair and Tulloch families, played by a talented ensemble.
Clive Russell takes on the role of Arthur Mair, a kind and caring Shetlander who is the sole carer for his wife, Lana, portrayed by Ellie Haddington. Their family is further complicated by their daughter, Isobel Jameson (Louise Brealey), and her husband, Tom (Niall Macgregor), who have moved in with them.
The cast also includes Stuart Townsend as the charming and melancholic poet Edward 'Ed' Tulloch, whose mother Eadie is the murder victim at the heart of the series. Greg McHugh plays the village's eccentric historian, Colin Waite, while Frances Grey appears as the guarded Gina Powell, a mother struggling with her son's recent release from prison.
Shetland's Evolving Cast Over the Years
Having first aired in 2013, Shetland has seen significant cast changes over its decade on screen. The most notable departure was original lead Douglas Henshall, who played DI Jimmy Perez until the end of series seven.
His successor, Ashley Jensen, joined as DI Ruth Calder at the start of series eight. Other former main cast members include Erin Armstrong, who played Cassie Perez, and Mark Bonnar, who featured as Duncan Hunter for the first seven seasons.
With a brand new case and a community full of secrets, Shetland series 10 promises another gripping chapter of crime-solving against the backdrop of its stunning and haunting location.
