BBC One has commissioned two more seasons of murder-mystery drama ‘Shetland‘ the broadcaster announced today, seeing Douglas Henshall reprise his role alongside series regulars Alison O’Donnell and Steven Robertson.
The series follows Henshall as DI Jimmy Perez, a native Shetlander who returned home after a long spell away to lead a murder investigation. Adapted from Ann Cleeves’ celebrated novels, ‘Shetland’ debuted on BBC One in 2013 and has gone from strength to strength over the last five series, becoming a firm favourite with fans in the UK and across the world. The series has evolved to original six-part character-driven narratives, set against the striking elemental landscapes of Shetland, one of the most remote corners of the British Isles.
The 6th and 7th Seasons will film in 2020 and 2021 in locations on The Shetland Isles and around Scotland, and will again feature six hour-long episodes each. Both series will be written and created by David Kane (‘Stonemouth’, ‘The Field Of Blood’) who originated the first series of Shetland and has written on every series since. Paul Logue (‘Vera’, ‘Death In Paradise’) will also write on both series and the producer is Louise Say (‘Les Miserables’, ‘Dracula’).
“We are really proud of Shetland, the crime series led by DI Perez and his team has proved hugely popular with audiences both in Scotland and across the rest of the UK,” commented Gaynor Holmes, Commissioning Editor for BBC Drama, Scotland. “BBC One viewers are set for an unmissable series from David Kane when it returns next year.”
The series, which is made by Silverprint Pictures for BBC One, has been commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of Drama, BBC and Charlotte Moore, Director of Content, BBC and will be executive produced by Kate Bartlett for Silverprint Pictures, Gaynor Holmes for the BBC and writer David Kane.
“I’m so thrilled to be making two more series of Shetland for the BBC, with our wonderful Scottish cast and crew,” adds Kate Bartlett, Executive Producer, Silverprint Pictures. “David Kane creates distinctive and emotionally complex narratives that unfold against the stunning, evocative landscapes of Shetland, with DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) at the heart of it all.”
‘Shetland‘ Season 6 will film in 2020, with Season 7 filming in 2021. No premiere date has yet been announced.