Action! Filming Starts On Fourth Series of Shetland

Aspiring local actors are looking forward to their roles as extras in the fourth series of BBC1’s Shetland crime drama. Filming in Shetland will take place during May.

The new series, adapted from Ann Cleeves’ celebrated novels, sees the return of Douglas Henshall in the lead role of DI Jimmy Perez and other familiar faces will also be back, including Alison O’Donnell (DS Alison McIntosh) and Steven Robertson (DC Sandy Wilson). New cast members for this series include Neve McIntosh (The Replacement, Doctor Who), Sean McGinley (The Fall, Gangs of New York), Stephen Walters (The Accused), Gerard Miller (Bladerunner, River City), Allison McKenzie (Line of Duty, River City) and Michael Moreland (Filth, Scot Squad).

This new series is an original story which sees Perez deal with murders from the past and present with unsettling similarities. When Shetlander, Thomas Malone (played by Stephen Walters) has his murder conviction overturned after 23 years behind bars, DI Perez has to reopen the investigation into the 1994 death of local teenager, Lizzie Kilmuir.

As suspicion surrounds Malone, a local journalist is found murdered in similar circumstances and he finds himself firmly in the frame again. Has Malone fooled the system into releasing him, only to murder again? Or was he a victim of a miscarriage of justice? As pressure mounts on Perez, he must look beyond the gossip and prejudice to get to the truth.

Shetland’s long-term collaborator David Kane (Stonemouth) returns as the writer on four of the six episodes alongside Louise Ironside (Call The Midwife, Law & Order) as the writer of episode two and Paul Logue (DCI Banks, Death In Paradise) for episode three. Shetland is directed by Lee Haven Jones (Vera) and Rebecca Gatward (Grantchester, EastEnders). This new series sees the return of Eric Coulter (Our Girl, Case Histories) as Producer. The Executive Producers are Kate Bartlett for ITV Studios and Gaynor Holmes for BBC Scotland.

Kate Bartlett said: “We are delighted to be working with BBC Scotland on this new series of Shetland. David Kane has created a compelling and distinctive crime story, told across six hours. We are also thrilled to have the brilliant core cast return, led by Douglas Henshall.”

The BBC’s Gaynor Holmes said: “We’re delighted to be making another series of Shetland for BBC One. Shetland has a loyal following and we’re sure they will be thrilled with the surprises we’ve got for them this time around.”

Locations all over the islands have been scouted and it seems that the island of Bressay will figure prominently, with Gardie House chosen as the setting for filming of a music festival on 7 May. Local extras have been signed up and local folk have responded to appeals for all manner of props, from vehicles to boats. Filming will take place in Glasgow and Norway as well as in Shetland.

The new series is due for transmission in early 2018.