The windswept isles of Shetland are calling once more, ushering in a triumphant return to the classic crime noir that stole the hearts of British viewers. On August 26, 2025, BBC One confirmed the revival of Shetland with a new season that marks the end of the polarizing Ruth Calder era, replacing Ashley Jensen with the beloved Douglas Henshall’s DI Jimmy Perez. Fans are breathing a sigh of relief as the series reclaims its roots, bringing back the chunky knits, brooding silences, and haunting mysteries that defined its early success, promising a farewell to the chaos and a warm welcome to the dark thrills that made it Britain’s favorite Scandi-style crime drama.
The shake-up began in 2022 when Henshall stepped away after seven series, paving the way for Jensen’s DI Ruth Calder, whose urban edge and modern approach divided audiences. Season 9, with its 7.0 million average viewership, saw a dip as fans lamented the loss of Shetland’s unique island charm. The announcement of Henshall’s return for Season 10, set to air in November 2025, has reversed that trend, with the actor reprising Perez in a storyline tied to a cold case from his past. “It’s like slipping back into an old coat,” Henshall quipped to The Scotsman, hinting at a narrative that reconnects with the show’s soul.
The revival restores the elements fans adored: the iconic chunky knitwear, a staple of Scandi noir aesthetics, and the pregnant pauses that punctuated Perez’s investigations, filmed across Shetland’s rugged terrain in 2024. Alison O’Donnell returns as Tosh McIntosh, her warmth complementing Perez’s brooding intensity, while Steven Robertson’s Sandy Wilson adds continuity. New guest stars, including Peter Capaldi as a mysterious newcomer, promise fresh intrigue. Executive producer Phil Collinson told Radio Times, “We’re bringing back the essence fans craved,” with locations like Fair Isle and Lerwick enhancing the atmospheric pull.
Social platforms are alight with joy, with one X user posting, “Shetland’s back to its haunting best—Perez rules!” The farewell to Calder’s “chaos”—her brash style clashing with the island’s rhythm—ushers in dark thrills, including a plot involving a 1980s fishing feud turned deadly. The season’s trailer, released on August 25, teases a cult subplot, amplifying the addictive mystery that set Shetland apart. Fan petitions, amassing 50,000 signatures in 2023, pressured BBC to reinstate Henshall, a move now validated by the renewed buzz.
As of now, this return has dominated headlines, with #ShetlandReturns trending at 1.9 million mentions. The series’ shift from modern disruption to classic allure signals a bold reinvention. What’s next for Perez and the isles? The full story of this thrilling comeback awaits below, inviting fans to click and rediscover the dark magic that made Shetland a legend.
