Shetland returns to screens for eighth series
Shetland Times
Shetland stars Alison O'Donnell and Ashley Jensen. Photo: Mark Mainz_Silverprint Pictures_ITV Studios
The long-anticipated Shetland drama returned tonight with DI Ruth Calder taking the reins from Jimmy Perez in the eighth series.
After 30 years away, Met detective DI Calder returned to Shetland on the trail of Ellen Quinn – the scared witness to a London gangland murder.
The series stalwart Tosh paused her investigation into a string of sinister animal deaths to help Calder find Ellen before it’s too late.
Expectations were undoubtedly high for regular viewers after the success of previous seasons but is the new partnership of DI Calder and Tosh strong enough to get the job done?
What did you think? Comment below or email your thoughts to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk.
Gerald Foreman
Just doesn’t do it, BBC hanging on to something that has gone. Embarrassingly poorly put together plus excessive sweating. Very disappointed.
Joan McSpiritt
Shetland needs to come back to Netflix US.
Jimmy Docherty
Really enjoyed it….. showed promise and potential to develop the characters. Left me wanting more…. Only minus for me was how the younger london gangster was played…. Poor direction or poor acting? Hmm.
Alison HOLMES
DI Calder has a really mammouth task to get the public behind her.She is taking over from a very much loved character.Shame the actress couldnt get her roots done before filming,it really annoyed and distracted me .Tosh is as ever, great.I sincerely hope that I can warm to this new rather abrasive character with time.
Sally MacPhee
I do not think Ann Cleeves would be happy with this use of her stories.Why do all the characters need to swear also often.I will continue to enjoy the novels.They represent island life much better
Teresa starkey
I really loved it, i thought i’d miss the lovely jimmy perez but the two ladies nailed it for me, a bit brutal but great acting👏👏
Michael Clark
Why has so much bad language need to be used.
I can no longer watch if this is what BBC acceptable
Stephen Murphy
I agree. Swearing spoils things and puts some people (like me) off. Unnecessary and adds nothing.
Warren Brockley
Totally agree. Wasn’t really up to watching it without Jimmy Perez but gave it a go… I gave up after 15 minutes, terrible stuff. No need for all the profanities just to make it gritty. I won’t be watching any more!
Randolph T Creager
Season 8… why the excessive profanity? quite disappointing. I have ceased watching.
Hector Christie
Bang on- revitalised what was becoming a tired franchise.
Judith Terry
We love Shetland! The story, the cast, the music – just ALL about it! Looking forward to a new season.
Julie
I will try and like DI Calder because I love the original characters and Shetland itself. She doesn’t like her homeland and at the moment I have no empathy for her. The worst thing was the addition of so much swearing. Presumably that can be altered.
mr d murray
there is only one jim perez doug henshall made it his talk him back
Caroline Holmes
Loved it – has the same high standard of acting, writing and production values of the previous series, and of course the beautiful scenery!
Jeri H Dies
Waiting patiently here in the States for it to come to Britbox. The current cast and Jensen should be fun to see adjusting to each other. Always ready for another season of “Shetland”.
Dee Rees
Unfortunately , disappointing , not engaging.
June Yeandle
Far too much swearing for me. Completely unnecessary and won’t be watching again.
Sue Jones
What’s with all the swearing? If you’ve got a good story you don’t need it. It was like watching a gangland scene in a large city. Don’t think Ann Cleeves would be impressed.
And please, let the new DI smile a bit and not be so grumpy.
Together with the swearing and grumpy actors, it’s putting me off watching.
Gregory Hunter
Our family was looking forward to seeing the new series of Shetland and now we are thinking of not watching it due to all the excessive foul language. What was once a great show to watch is no longer…What a shame that foul language is being accepted as a normal way of life now a days..
Lin
Very disappointed with new series 8
Bad acting from the new guy in charge at police station and the east european thug with the gun!! Boring plot.
Whats with the excessive swearing?!? It was very strange hearing the lovely Phylis Logan swearing so much!
I think producers think swearing adds to the gritty subject, it doesn’t! It just makes me want to switch off.
Bring back Jimmy Perez, just saying
Kevin Ward
Sorry series 8 but that was terrible. Way too complicated and confusing plus the swearing ruined what was a brilliant show. Sorry Tosh and co you need your boss back to save this or you all will be looking for another job.
David F
Why wasn’t the lead given to ‘Tosh’? Heaven knows she understudied long enough. A new DS coming to the team would have provided for some good team dynamics. Ashley Jensen, apart from not changing her clothes in five episodes and wearing those ridiculous trousers and boots, delivered an angst filled cringeworthy performance in an overly complicated, underwhelming script, long on plot and short on character development. Perez doesn’t have to come back, but give the existing cast a break and develop their back stories. Shetland retains promise, but not with outlandish over complicated plots and a weak, new main character in DI Bain, better suited to therapy than policing. Please…no more.
Ruth Daneman
Terrible without Di Perez ….and disgusting unnecessary use of profanity. Why does the BBC think this elevates humanity!No wonder the UK is in such a state! The BBC sets a very low standard now!…Couldn’t even finish watching 1st episode.
Michael Leslie
The writers or writer should be embarrassed of this hot mess of a plot line. Absolutely stupid detective story.
I do like DI Perez’s replacement, but fire the writers.
James Mangum
We loved the series for many reasons but stopped watching when all the f— words crept in, or should I day flooded in. We have better ways to spend our time. So sorry
Debbie Woolsey
As an American with Scottish roots, I fell in love with Shetland. I loved all the twists in the stories and was constantly surprised by who really did the crime.
However, I noticed toward the end of season seven that foul language and profanities started to increase. That worried me as season eight approached. I was unable to get through more than about 15 or 20 minutes of the first episode of season eight because of the language, I don’t know anyone who speaks like that. Unfortunately, I am done watching Shetland. Although, it is now on my bucket list of places to visit.