Skip to content

Filming begins on new series of BBC drama Shetland

News imageBBC/Silverprint Films A woman with blonde hair and a woman with brown hair hold a clapper board between them which reads "SHETLAND". Ashley Jenson, the blonde woman, wears a dark green and purple scarf and a dark coat. Alison O'Donnell wears a patterned red scarf, a red jumper and green waterproof jacket. They are inside a formal looking room with baby blue wall panels and white outlines, with pictures hanging on the wall.BBC/Silverprint Films
DI Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) and DI Alison "Tosh" McIntosh (Alison O'Donnell) are the lead characters on Shetland

Filming has begun on a new series of the hit BBC murder mystery drama Shetland.

Series 11 will see Ashley Jensen and Alison O'Donnell return as DI Ruth Calder and DI Alison "Tosh" McIntosh to investigate an unknown man's skeletal remains found in a car pulled from the water.

The search begins with a hunt for the car's owner – a respected local GP who left the Isles under a cloud of rumours nine years ago.

The six-part series will be filmed on the Shetland Isles and around Scotland over the coming months. It will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.

Shetland was originally based on award-winning novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves.

The latest series will see the detectives dig into the GP's mind and the lives of the loves ones he left behind, taking them to dark and dangerous places in their quest for the truth.

The BBC's commissioning editor Gaynor Holmes said it was brimming with twists and turns, overseen by lead screenwriter Paul Logue.

"Paul Logue has once again spun a gripping, atmospheric story, with the wild beauty of the Shetland Isles at its heart," she said

"Alison and Ashley lead our stellar core cast who are joined by a brilliant line up of guest stars and supported by a crew whose craft and passion shine through in every frame—together showcasing Scotland on screen at its very best."

The programme is made by Silverprint Pictures, with executive producer Kate Bartlett praising the "incredible Scottish talent in all areas of the production".

Shetland was in the top five most watched BBC Dramas of 2025 and the top BBC Drama in Scotland.

Other recent or new dramas from Scotland include Richard Gadd's Half Man, new legal drama Counsels, Grams, The Young Team and Mint.

Shetland will be distributed internationally by ITV Studios. All previous series are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.