Shetland Fans Stunned by ‘Mad and Unusual’ Opening to Season Nine

Shetland fans were left reeling on Wednesday night as the long-running BBC crime drama returned for its ninth season with an opening sequence described as “mad and unusual.” Within minutes of the new episode airing, social media was ablaze with comments from viewers who called the premiere a “hell of a start” to the fresh series.

A Drama With a Legacy

For more than a decade, Shetland has captivated audiences with its windswept landscapes, brooding atmosphere, and intricate storylines. Based on the novels of Ann Cleeves, the show has earned acclaim for its ability to blend the stark beauty of the Scottish isles with tense, character-driven mysteries.

When series star Douglas Henshall bowed out last year after playing DI Jimmy Perez since the show’s inception, fans wondered whether the programme could retain its edge. The BBC promised a bold new chapter with actress Ashley Jensen stepping into the lead role as DI Ruth Calder. On Wednesday night, the gamble appeared to pay off — though not in a way viewers expected.

An Opening Like No Other

The ninth season’s first episode began in an uncharacteristically experimental manner. Instead of plunging straight into crime and investigation, the screen faded in on Jensen’s DI Calder speaking directly to the camera.

Her voice trembled as she recited the story of her family, her childhood, and her rise through the police ranks. It was a personal and vulnerable monologue, delivered in fragments, almost as though Calder was piecing her own life together on the spot. Images of her past — fleeting snapshots of people, places, and pivotal moments — flashed across the screen in quick succession.

The unusual device immediately sparked conversation. Was Calder addressing a therapist, a jury, or perhaps even herself? The ambiguity left many fans both intrigued and unsettled.

Viewer Reaction

Within minutes, the internet was buzzing with reaction. Long-time followers of Shetland admitted they had never seen anything like it in the show’s history.

“HELL OF A START! Totally thrown off, but hooked,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Another wrote: “That was mad and unusual. Felt like I was inside Ruth Calder’s head. What a way to launch the new season.”

Some viewers, however, confessed to being confused by the stylistic change. “Not sure what I just watched. It felt like a fever dream, not Shetland,” one user commented.

The split in opinion only seemed to amplify the buzz, with hashtags for the programme trending in the UK throughout the evening.

A Bold Creative Choice

The decision to launch the new season with such an unconventional introduction was deliberate, according to insiders. Producers wanted to make a clear statement that Shetland was entering a new era with Jensen at the helm.

“DI Calder is not Jimmy Perez,” one BBC source explained. “This season is about establishing a distinct tone and a new energy. That opening sequence was meant to jar viewers, to get them out of their comfort zone, and to pull them into Ruth’s world immediately.”

The source hinted that Calder’s inner turmoil will play a central role in the series’ broader arc, suggesting the opening was both a stylistic experiment and a narrative clue.

Ashley Jensen Steps Into the Spotlight

For Jensen, best known for her work in Extras and Ugly Betty, taking on the mantle of Shetland’s lead detective is no small task. Speaking before the premiere, she admitted to feeling the weight of expectation.

“I knew fans adored Jimmy Perez, and I respect that,” she said. “But Ruth Calder is her own person. She’s got scars, secrets, and strengths that will come to the surface. That opening was about laying her soul bare to the audience.”

Critics have praised Jensen’s raw performance, noting her ability to convey both vulnerability and steely determination.

Setting the Tone for the Season

Following Calder’s monologue, the episode settled into more familiar territory — a mysterious crime unfolding against the stark backdrop of the Shetland Isles. Yet the lingering impact of that first scene continued to color the narrative, suggesting that Calder’s personal history will be tightly interwoven with the case at hand.

The BBC has teased that Season Nine will dig deeper into themes of identity, memory, and truth. With Calder at the center, viewers can expect a more introspective tone alongside the usual gripping investigations.

A Community Divided, But Hooked

While some fans expressed nostalgia for Perez’s more understated introductions, others applauded the series for daring to reinvent itself.

“It’s risky, but I love it,” one fan wrote online. “Better to shake things up than play it safe.”

Another added: “If that’s how they’re starting, I can’t imagine where it will go. I’m strapped in.”

The Road Ahead

As Shetland embarks on its ninth season, the show faces the dual challenge of honoring its legacy while forging a new path. Wednesday’s premiere made it clear: this will not be business as usual.

Whether the “mad and unusual” opening divides or unites audiences, it has undeniably reignited interest in the series. For the BBC, that may be the most important victory of all.

As one fan succinctly put it after the episode: “Confused, shocked, emotional — but I’ll be tuning in next week.”