With Henshall leaving and Shetland season 8 already ordered, the series had to find a new lead detective. Ashley Jensen (After Life), who will play DI Ruth Calder, will be the new lead. Not much is known about her character, although we do know that she is a native Shetlander and returns home after twenty years in London's Metropolitan Police.
Ashley had this to say about her new role:
“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.”
The BBC has confirmed that Shetland season 8 will premiere on BBC One in the UK on November 1, 2023. A US release date is currently unknown. Although the exact plot details are being kept closely secret, RadioTimes.com reported the following synopsis:
“Jensen will be joined by returning character Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh (Alison O’Donnell) who will step in to help Calder retrieve a vulnerable witness in a gangland murder investigation. But it’s not set to be plain-sailing for the pair as Calder grows increasingly hostile about Shetland, which is, of course, the adoptive home for Tosh.”
