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Ashley Jensen to replace lead actor Douglas Henshall in Shetland

It was announced ahead of Shetland season 7 that Douglas Henshall would be leaving the series and his role as DI Jimmy Perez, but that it would be continuing on without him.

Now, we finally know who will be leading the cast into season 8. Ashley Jensen, well-known from After Life, Ugly Betty, and Extras, has officially joined the cast as the new DI Ruth Calder. DI Calder is a born Shetlander who returns to the islands after having worked for the Met (the Metropolitan Police) in London.

It has been revealed that Jensen's character will work closely alongside Alison O'Donnel's DS Alison 'Tosh' McIntosh. The return of Steven Robertson as Sandy, Lewis Howden as Billy, and Anne Kidd as Cora has also been confirmed.



On being cast in the series, Jensen (photo) said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Shetland as DI Ruth Calder. It’s such a hugely successful show and I am aware I have very big boots to fill since the departure of DI Perez, who was very much loved by fans of the show."

She continued: "There will be a different dynamic with Ruth amongst the regular characters and a few more new interesting characters to enjoy. However, the integrity of the show and the world that has been created will remain very much in the same tone as the last seven seasons. It's a real privilege to be asked to lead this show into a new chapter. I can’t wait to be working in Scotland again. I have missed it!"

Meanwhile, Gaynor Holmes, commissioning editor for the BBC, said: "I am absolutely delighted that Ashley is joining the stellar cast of Shetland. Ashley is an immensely accomplished and well-loved actress who is known internationally and we can’t wait to welcome her into the Shetland family when filming begins in the spring."

The end of Shetland season 7 saw the end of Jimmy's career as a detective after he freed a man who was about to be extradited to America, and potentially sentenced to death, but he believed was innocent.

Ahead of Shetland season 8, Jensen will next be seen in Mayflies, another BBC drama starring Line of Duty's Martin Compston and Your Honour's Tony Curran.

The upcoming season will start its production next spring on the Shetland-islands and all over Scotland. It is set to premiere in late 2023.
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