蜜芽传媒

Acclaimed murder-mystery drama Shetland returns for a tenth series as Calder and Tosh are drawn to a remote village following the sinister murder of an elderly woman. As they begin to unravel life in this close-knit community, shocking, long-buried secrets rise to the surface with unexpected consequences for all 鈥� including the team.

In the isolated hamlet of Lunniswick, the body of the retired social worker Eadie Tulloch has been out in the elements for a number of days. A picture of loneliness begins to emerge as Eadie had not spoken to her son Ed in years. Old friend Arthur Mair is too busy caring for his ailing wife Lana, while their house is full with daughter Isobel, her struggling husband Tom, and their heavily pregnant teenager, Jess having recently moved in.

Attentive local Colin Waite turns Calder and Tosh's focus to David Powell, an anxious, young neighbour with a troubled past. His overly protective mum, Gina, blocks all questions while trying to figure out what her son is hiding.

Suspecting the residents of Lunniswick are holding back about their relationships with Eadie, Calder and Tosh begin to unravel a complicated web of lies. Worse still, there鈥檚 a personal link to the case for one of the team, testing loyalty to the limits.

Shetland returns for a tenth series on 蜜芽传媒 One and 蜜芽传媒 iPlayer from 9pm on Wednesday 5 November 2025.

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Interview with Alison O鈥橠onnell

DI Alison 鈥楾osh鈥� Mcintosh

After her experience in the last series, Tosh has accepted the isolation of being a cop. She spends less time with old friends, preferring to keep some distance between herself and those she needs to police. She relishes her friends at the station and her working dynamic with Calder is solid. It鈥檚 her relationship with Billy which comes under the microscope this time around, when the victim turns out to be an old personal friend of his. Tosh is shocked and wants to support the man who has been there for her all these years but developments in the case will make it tough for both of them and put a strain on their relationship.

Welcome back! Where do we find Tosh at the start of the new series of Shetland?

At the start of this new series, Tosh has really settled into her role as DI. Having reached a maturational threshold during season nine, realising that certain relationships were no longer serving her, she is knuckling down at work and focussing on the things in her life that truly matter. Her relationship with Calder is also really blossoming and their working dynamic is well cemented.

Tosh and Calder investigate a murder in a small village 鈥� what can you tell us about it?

The fictional village of Lunniswick is typical of Shetland, scattered houses lining a beach, the neighbours well acquainted with one another and the land they live on. It is rich in history, relationships and secrets which I really loved as a central focus of the mystery. There was so much to play with, so much to unpack. As the investigation progresses, we get deeper and deeper into the lives of those who live there and the history of the place. It was very satisfying.

As well as the murder investigation, the case will stir up secrets and lies from the past which impact the police team鈥�

Secrets are not only uncovered in Lunniswick. There is a knock-on effect to the core police team and this will prove to be pretty catastrophic for Tosh. Her fundamental belief in police work, her trust in Billy [Lewis Howden] - one of her most beloved friends and colleagues, - is shaken to the core and we see a side of her we've never seen before. She feels she is losing her religion, the foundation on which she has based her whole career, and the wheels really come off for her. It was really exciting for me to discover a new aspect to her after all these years.

And this series we get to know a bit more about Billy, what impact does the case have on him and his relationship with Tosh?

Tosh and Billy have been through so much together. The tenderness we saw between them during season three when Tosh was sexually assaulted has informed everything Lewis and I have done since. And to have that very special bond hanging in the balance is really hard for both of them. Tosh will find herself torn between loyalties and faced with an almost impossible choice.

Was it nice to see Lewis Howden play a more central role in the storyline this series?

Having Lewis come to the fore was nothing but a pleasure. He has won over the hearts of our audience with his nuanced performance, his steady hand and stylish beard. It was time! He has been an untapped resource for so long and he is such an exceptional actor so we were all really excited, me especially as we had so many great scenes together. He loved coming up to Shetland with all of us and having some new costumes to wear!

How does Tosh feel when she sees Calder grow close to the murder victim鈥檚 son, Ed Tulloch?

Tosh is definitely concerned by Calder's interest in Ed [Stuart Townsend]. She recognises that it's a conflict of interest and perhaps recognises that Calder's interest is more than professional before even Calder does. She has a good nose for these things and tries to gently bring it to Calder's attention but Calder isn't ready to hear it. She's definitely concerned about how that's going to play out.

What is the secret to the success of Calder and Tosh?

I think Calder and Tosh are really complementary. They have quite distinctive policing styles but between them they've got everything covered. I also find their relationship to be down-to-earth and relatable. The comedy flourishes that the writers give us are a lovely counterpoint to the darkness of the drama and we always have a lot of fun with those.

And there鈥檚 a brilliant guest cast list this series 鈥� tell us more about them?

The guest cast are always outstanding. We are so lucky every single year and this year is no exception. It was especially nice this year that most of the cast are playing neighbours from the village and so they very quickly became a big gang and forged friendships among themselves which is always so lovely to see.

This is the first time Shetland has taken over a real-life village and transformed it into a fictional one 鈥� what was that like?

Lunniswick is actually a place called Levenwick which is on the road between Lerwick and Sumburgh airport, so I've driven past it 100 times but had only actually ever been down there once. I remember on a day off that I just took a fancy and went down to the beach there. It was something different for us, to be in one location for so much of the shoot. Things were very predictable, we knew we were heading to the same place every day for much of it and got into a nice rhythm with that. It's also a beautiful place so it was very nice to be there.

Tosh has grown up over the last 10 series, what do you think her strengths are and how has she changed over the years?

When we first met Tosh she still had braces on her teeth and was suffering the aftereffects of a night on the chocolate vodka. Now she is a DI and has a family of her own. Her life couldn't be more different. But at her core she is still the same compassionate, funny and strong woman we met over a decade ago. She is an antidote to all the hackneyed, grizzled, anti-hero - frequently male - cops that have dominated so much of the TV landscape. At the heart of her strength is her empathy and crucially her diligence. She follows the rules and does the right thing every time, even when it comes at personal cost. If I was in a sticky situation and she showed up, I would breathe a huge sigh of relief.

This is the tenth series of Shetland 鈥� what do you think its enduring success is?

The landscape of the isles is pretty much purpose built for drama and the breathtaking magic and beauty of the Isles is our USP, no doubt about it. But I also believe it's the fictional world that we've built around that. Our wonderful ensemble of returning characters, the epic stories, all the characters we meet along the way, the darkness and intrigue with a pinch of humour and a big dollop of Scottish trustworthiness. It's been a recipe for success.

Interview with Ashley Jensen

DI Ruth Calder

Calder is settled back in Shetland and has a comfortable existence. She has her growing friendship with Tosh, while her brother Alan provides a family connection. They now catch up regularly and Calder enjoys the odd piece of gossip from the Kirk. But she鈥檚 still solitary. She doesn鈥檛 have a life partner or even a boyfriend and, to be honest, she鈥檚 not unhappy about this. Out of curiosity more than anything else, she has been on a few dates recently. Though without much success - Shetland is not an easy place to meet someone. The case brings her into contact with Ed Tulloch, the victim鈥檚 estranged son and she鈥檚 intrigued by him.

Where do we find Calder at the start of this new series?

She鈥檚 pretty settled into the police station and her life in Shetland. She鈥檚 unpacked all her boxes and settled into the community 鈥� well as much as Ruth Calder ever could. She鈥檚 even making good of her relationship with her brother, Alan, after all these years apart 鈥� they now have this big sister, little brother bond which is nice. However, she鈥檚 still not going to church on Sundays - he鈥檚 not convinced her of that much, yet.

She鈥檚 now even done a bit of online dating but actually, truthfully, she鈥檚 quite happy on her own. Calder doesn鈥檛 feel the need to be with a man. Over the years, she鈥檚 built a barricade around herself. She鈥檚 very much involved in her work and I鈥檝e always said that Ruth Calder is the kind of person who is more than happy to go home at night and have a glass of wine, or two, pops on a microwave meal and watches cold crime shows on television.

Funnily enough, when I was in Shetland, I didn鈥檛 want to fill my head with other television drama so I would also watch cold crime TV cases. Our wonderful second block director Ruth Carney and I used to watch a bit of reality TV which I got into this year having avoided it all my life . But with much going on in the world these days and the weight of this storyline, it was so easy to watch, comment, switch off and empty your head for a wee while. Not a guilty pleasure just a pleasure!

What case do Calder and Tosh face this time around?

This series we鈥檝e kind of become a little more insular rather than the expansive locations of last year. We鈥檝e really come into the nucleus of the small hamlet of Lunniswick and used a real-life town as our location. It鈥檚 very much a small community where everybody knows each other鈥檚 business. The series opens with the murder of a woman from this community and, of course, the houses back on to each other, everybody鈥檚 peeping from their curtains and everyone鈥檚 kind of involved in each other鈥檚 lives 鈥� whether they want to be or not.

The murder itself is a peculiar death as the victim is an older woman and she鈥檚 positioned in a rather macabre way. What makes it worse is she鈥檚 outside her house, exposed to the elements and she鈥檚 been out there for a few days. So, obviously, because it鈥檚 a small community, everyone鈥檚 a bit suspicious.

For me, this series is the best storyline out of the three I鈥檝e been involved in. I love the detail of this one and the fact that all the locals are suspects in the murder case.

The murder investigation will stir up secrets and lies from the past which impact the team鈥�can you tell us about that?

A fascinating element of this storyline is that the personal lives of the police officers become embroiled in this case which has been interesting for us all to play. There are relationships in the station which become slightly fraught and fractious because of the specifics of this case.

Because it鈥檚 a small community obviously people know each other so there鈥檚 questions which arise. We鈥檙e all sort of drawn into it in some way or another. Calder is drawn into it through the victim鈥檚 son [Ed Tulloch played by Stuart Townsend] and she slightly crosses the line in that she becomes intrigued by him because she also had a complex relationship with her dad and he had a difficult one with his mum. The two of them have a similar background and because of that there鈥檚 a sort of understanding about strange, strained parental relationships so I think she feels Ed is a kindred spirit. This is something that Tosh sees and finds it all a little odd. Calder butts away Tosh鈥檚 concern but it does make things tricky between them from time to time.

This is the first time Shetland has taken over a real-life village and transformed it into a fictional one 鈥� what was that like?

I always like filming on location because it feels more alive. You鈥檙e actually in a house, you鈥檙e beside the water and you can smell the sea air outside and I find it helpful to feel the damp, feel the cold even though it can be difficult. The fact your hair is going all over the place can add to the wildness of the show and the elements are bigger than you and as much a part of the show as the actors and the storyline.

This series, we see Calder embark on the dating game. How does she find this experience?

She鈥檚 interested, bored, a bit despondent and doesn鈥檛 put too much weight on it - she thinks 鈥業 don鈥檛鈥� know why I鈥檓 bothering鈥�. She鈥檚 one of those people who has a 鈥榠f I meet someone, I meet someone鈥� approach to it all but recognises that this is the modern way of dating and this is what you鈥檙e meant to do. That being said, she鈥檚 generally fed up with it all to be honest.

There鈥檚 a brilliant guest cast of Lunniswick locals on this series, what was it like having them on board?

One of the things I love about this show is the calibre of guest actors we get. This is season ten and we鈥檙e still getting huge names to come along. Greg McHugh, Louise Brealey, Niall MacGregor, Ellie Haddington and Clive Russell joined us this year and, for me, working with experienced actors like them, is incredible.

It was also wonderful to work with the next generation of actors who had little or no TV experience. With Shetland, there is no such thing as a small part and I鈥檓 always delighted to see new faces on the show.

Yourself and Alison have forged a really lovely on screen partnership, what is the secret to the success of Calder and Tosh?

We鈥檙e both very down to earth but we take our work very seriously. We just get on 鈥� we like each other and respect each other. We also have laugh on set and that鈥檚 really important, that goes a long way.

Alison鈥檚 a very kind and open person and we鈥檙e both interested in people and that鈥檚 why we get to know all these guest actors who come in year after year.

And, of course, when we鈥檙e all off filming in Shetland all that way from home we make a point of getting together and enjoy nights out with each other. The ship is run by two mums so I think it means it鈥檚 in safe hands!

This is the tenth series of Shetland 鈥� what do you think its enduring success is?

Cleverly what the makers have done is keep the essence of what the show is. People love the environment, they love that expansive landscape - it鈥檚 so alien but also recognisable. It鈥檚 clearly Scottish. People also like crime drama because they love to be taken on this journey and if they get it right they say 鈥榶es!鈥�.

I actually did the same thing I did last year and made a point of not finding out who the killer is. I like being just like the audience, enjoying how much it all unravels. I was better at working out who the killer was this time around 鈥� clearly all my cold crime docudrama research has paid off!

Interview with Steven Robertson

Sandy

Sandy finds himself very busy this time around. Between the ongoing drugs operation that opens the series and the murder of Eadie Tulloch, he is pulled between two major investigations happening at the same time. Resources in Lerwick are very much stretched but the real tension comes in the form of the strain on his old friend Billy who knew the murder victim.

What case do Sandy and the team face this time around?

So, the new series opens with the team trying to get to the bottom of drugs running on Shetland and trying to bust this but, just as that is coming to a head, news comes that an elderly local woman called Eadie Tulloch, who lives alone, has been found dead. This then leads the team to have to look back through her life.

And this series we get to know a bit more about Billy鈥�what impact does the case have on him and his relationship with the rest of the team?

This is a really, really strong storyline and it proves especially difficult for Tosh and Billy and their relationship. We have to peel back Billy鈥檚 history and find out how he is connected to the Eadie Tulloch case. It brings additional stress to the team - when one member of the team has to be held at arms length from the main investigation, it leaves us a man short. Billy is usually the absolute rock of the team but these circumstances change everything, for everyone. It leads to a lot of stress but also emotional concern about what really happened in the past and how it may or may not play out.

Was it nice to see Lewis Howden play a more central role in the storyline this series?

It was an absolute joy. I love working with Lewis and we really enjoy and often talk about the nice screen moments we have had on the show together over the years. He鈥檚 an incredible theatre actor as well as TV and very famously played MacBeth on a world tour. He鈥檚 a really respected actor and a lot of our guest cast know him and his work. I often ask him about his MacBeth and world tour and occasionally he鈥檒l give me a quote from MacBeth because he has still got it!

This year, to have Lewis and Alison play these big emotional scenes together as Billy and Tosh was just an incredible opportunity to watch two brilliant actors deliver something really special.

This is the first time the show has taken over a real-life village and transformed it on screen 鈥� what was that like?

That was amazing. When I first read the scripts I was completely blown away by the ambition. Our lead writer Paul Logue has written another incredible series along with Denise Paul and the creative team. It鈥檚 so obvious from the get go, that the location really had to be an intimate, beautiful village with an incredible environment. It actually danced through my head as I first read the scripts 鈥業 wonder if they鈥檙e considering Levenwick to be our Lunniswick?鈥�.

Whenever I drive past Levenwick on my way back from Sumburgh I always glance down at it because it is a sort of magical, little jewel of a village. It鈥檚 got a very different feel to it from much of the rest of the Shetland Isles. It feels like you鈥檙e really far away, even from the rest of the mainland of Shetland. That sort of mystery and history, absolutely comes across on screen. It鈥檚 the perfect location for this storyline.

As a local Shetlander, how does it feel when the show comes to town?

It is an absolute joy for me, and I鈥檓 not just saying that because I get to drive myself to work! What I absolutely love is the cultural exchange that I see happening. The show has showcased these beautiful isles all over the world but there is also a cultural exchange in another way 鈥� our crew come back time and time again, even when they鈥檙e not filming. They鈥檝e made friends and connections which is great and allows the locals to see that this is a way of life, it鈥檚 a job that they can do to. We鈥檝e had many locals involved as extras and working in lots of different departments of the crew, so it shows them that it is possible to work in TV and still live in Shetland.

Many years ago, I took a big step to leave and go to London to study and pursue an acting career, so, for me, to be part of the show which is normalising this as an industry, as a way of a possible life here on Shetland, is wonderful for me and a joy to see.

You鈥檙e part of the original core cast, what does that feel like?

Well what can I say? Firstly it鈥檚 a privilege to be part of this beautiful show which continues to work so hard to be true and honest. It鈥檚 something we all really care about and want to nurture and care for. Alison and I have done every episode and love the general sense and feel of the show 鈥� it鈥檚 a happy and a welcoming show to work on and we always welcome new cast and crew when they come on board. There are, of course, tough moments and tough days but we鈥檙e very proud of this show and its huge success. We all share the show 鈥� we don鈥檛 lock it in a box.

This series boasts a brilliant guest cast, tell us about them.

This show is blessed in so many ways. This new series has put together an incredible ensemble of guest cast. To be able to work with Clive Russell and Ellie Haddington who play husband and wife, Arthur and Lana Mair 鈥� to see two actors of that calibre dealing effortlessly with the really difficult elements to their parts was wonderful to watch. I also know they loved being on Shetland and really embraced the experience. They were taking it all in and using it in their work.

I loved meeting Stuart Townsend [who plays Ed Tulloch] as well, we had some great chats and of course I had to ask him about what it was like to work with Sean Connery [they starred together in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen]! The cast across the board this series has just been incredible. As a group these guys really make the village 鈥榬eal鈥�, they turned it into a different place, a place of their own - perfect for the story.

What鈥檚 it like working with Alison, Ashley and Lewis?

I think we鈥檝e got a great team here and it鈥檚 always a joy. What has been achieved by the creative team over the years is truly splendid. The characters have this genuine chemistry which has been brilliantly written for us all. It works as an ensemble.

Lewis and I always say that we鈥檙e there to back up Ashley and Alison. I think of us like a band 鈥� Alison and Ashley are upfront singing the big numbers, I鈥檓 on rhythm guitar and Lewis is on bass. And we all know when to stand up on the key change. So I guess you could say I think we are like a cross between Led Zeppelin and Westlife! West Zeppelin maybe? Or Led-Life? One or the other.

And memorable moments from filming this series?

So many! We had exceptional weather this year so to be working in this beautiful location in the glorious sunshine was very special indeed. Here I am as a Shetlander working on my own island, using my own accent, filming the tenth series 鈥� that鈥檚 pretty special.

There was one night after we鈥檇 wrapped, I was travelling back from Levenwick in the glorious evening sunshine, with Niall MacGregor, Louise Brealey and Greg McHugh, and Louise asked me 鈥渄o you like the Eagles?鈥� I love the Eagles - we all love the Eagles. Louise tells Greg and I that Niall does a brilliant karaoke rendition of 鈥榊ou Can鈥檛 Hide Your Lying Eyes鈥�, so, cue music and before I knew it we were all singing at the top of our lungs 鈥� of course I was a bit pitchy but they could really sing it - what a joy. That was a great end to a wonderful filming day in a beautiful part of the world. I won鈥檛 forget it.

As well as acting, you also enjoy crofting these days. Is it true that you gave Ashley some of your sheep鈥檚 wool for crafting purposes?

I am indeed also a crofter and yes, I did supply Ashley with wool for her new hobby. In fact, the distribution of our wool amongst the cast and crew on Shetland has become something of a thing as we have a few keen spinners and knitters. Ashley had taken up felting and I had seen her gathering wool from fences, so I offered to bring some of my Moorit wool - which is a traditional kind of brown colour of Shetland sheep. I also gave her some white Shetland wool from my ram Tim-Tim when I got him sheered on a day off.

Shetland is now in its tenth series - what do you think is the secret to its success?

Firstly, location 鈥� Shetland wouldn鈥檛 be Shetland without the location. It鈥檚 a really unique place. For many, it鈥檚 a long way away but you can also come to it. It鈥檚 part of Britain but it has its own unique identity. And, the material is so important. Our writers always give the stories a great depth and there is never a wasted line of dialogue which doesn鈥檛 have history or mystery - they write like a Swiss watch with a soul.

Teamwork. We genuinely are a team. The crew, the cast, we鈥檙e all interwoven. We all work on this show as one and nobody takes it for granted. This show is in its tenth series and we know how lucky we are. Every year the show grows in ambition and all of that only really works because we take it on as a team.

Interview with Lewis Howden

Sgt Billy Mccabe

This series sees the case touch on Billy鈥檚 personal life for the first time. His wife Morag used to work with the victim, Eadie Tulloch, in Shetland social services. While Eadie鈥檚 late husband Robert was once Billy鈥檚 sergeant in the police. The Tullochs were mentors and friends to the McCabes, so Eadie鈥檚 death will be very difficult for them. Particularly when the spotlight of the investigation unearths difficult questions鈥�

What case do Billy and the team face this time around?

This series, the team must deal with the murder of a retired social worker, Eadie Tulloch, as well as ongoing issues with drugs on the islands.

Worse still for Billy, the murder victim is known to him and his wife, Morag. Eadie is the wife of Billy鈥檚 old sergeant and a former colleague of Morag so, obviously, this death affects him even more than others have before.

Even although you鈥檝e been in the show from the very start, is it true you鈥檝e hardly filmed on the Shetland Isles?

Sort of! Much to my surprise and excitement I filmed a scene outside the police station in Lerwick back Season 4, which involved Billy having a wee tea break and had a chat with Perez as he was leaving. I had a great time, and it put an end to the teasing I got from everyone for being the one left behind in Glasgow while they鈥檙e away on location!

However, apart from that one scene all those years ago, until this season, all my stuff has been filmed in studio. So, it was wonderful to spend some time up on the Shetland Isles on location this series and be part of the on location filming experience. The teasing can finally stop now!

You鈥檙e part of the original core cast, what does that feel like?

The show has gone from strength to strength and has become so popular - at home and abroad. Imagining my small contribution might be a tiny part of the reason for its success makes me feel great, to be honest.

This series we finally get to meet Mrs McCabe, Billy鈥檚 wife, Morag鈥�

She鈥檚 fab! It was great having Leigh Biagi on set and exploring the personal life of Billy away from the station. Billy and Morag have been together for some time now. They have a great wee house, that is to die for, with just seals and seabirds for neighbours. They are living the 鈥楪ood Life鈥� and are very happy but trouble is brewing. Having, Leigh playing Morag has been incredible. We didn't know each other before this series but we hit it off right away. I think we look like a longstanding couple!

We鈥檙e always so fortunate to have such wonderful guest cast. Year after year, they are always brilliant.

What鈥檚 it like working with Alison, Ashley and Steven?

It鈥檚 a real joy to work with all three of them. They are all professional, diligent, intelligent, friendly, funny and so, so good. It鈥檚 a pleasure going to work every day with those three around.

Any memorable moments from filming this series?

This is a particularly exciting series for me with many memorable moments. Unfortunately, they鈥檇 be spoilers so I mustn鈥檛 mention them!

However, there was one day that was unusual, as it was a first for me. We were filming at a viewpoint above some cliffs, the air was slightly damp and the wind was blowing really hard. Even for Shetland. So much so, in fact, my normally curly, wiry hair was blow dried straight. Might be a new look for Billy鈥�who knows?

Shetland is now in its tenth series - what do you think is the secret to its success?

I think the Isles are a wonderful character in every episode - Shetland really isn鈥檛 like anywhere else.

The writers are very talented and work really hard to give us great scripts and stories that excite and intrigue audiences and utilise the islands and cast to our best.

And, in my experience, throughout all the series, the brilliant, cast, crew and production staff have never settled. Every day each one tries to make each moment the very best it can be. It鈥檚 inspiring and I think it comes over on the screen.

Interview with Samuel Anderson

Procurator Fiscal Matt Blake

Intelligent and ambitious, Matt Blake is the new Procurator Fiscal in town. He鈥檚 a man on the up, someone to watch. Matt is destined for big things and, to him, Shetland is a stepping stone in his career. Clever, measured and methodical, Matt has a clear-eyed view of his job and is careful in how he asserts his power but that doesn鈥檛 mean he鈥檚 over-cautious. He may come across as by-the-book but Matt will make allowances if he feels it鈥檚 necessary. He has a strong moral core and a keen sense of justice. A city boy at heart, Matt studied law in Edinburgh and while he likes Shetland, he finds it eerily quiet and misses the hustle and bustle of the city. He also misses his girlfriend Zara and struggles with the reality of their long-distance relationship at times. Matt assures Zara his posting to Shetland is just a temporary situation and he鈥檒l be back in Edinburgh soon but will life in Shetland prove too alluring to leave?

Welcome to Shetland! Can you tell us about your character, Matt Blake?

Matt has recently joined the Shetland team as Procurator Fiscal, he鈥檚 a bit of a city boy and this is the first time he鈥檚 been away from a massive population. He鈥檚 a young, ambitious guy and the position he鈥檚 climbed to very quickly says a lot about him and his drive an intellect as well as his desire to do good both for himself and his counterparts.

What drew you to the role of Matt?

Well, actually, I auditioned for a totally different part in this series! I didn鈥檛 even know that the part of Matt Blake had been written so I like to think that I did so well in the audition that they wrote the part for me. Wouldn鈥檛 that be nice? I had a great audition but hadn鈥檛 heard back for a while and started to worry. I was at least expecting a polite no and then a little more time passed and suddenly I was offered the role of Matt. It was just a wonderful surprise really.

How does Matt get on with Calder and Tosh?

It鈥檚 funny, I kind of felt that art was imitating life and vice versa. My character was joining the team as the new Fiscal, but Calder and Tosh often feel like they鈥檙e in command as they have been there longer. In real life I was thrilled, as I鈥檇 watched the series before and loved the dynamic between Ashley and Alison鈥檚 characters. Police dramas can be heavy with information which can be done so badly but these guys kill it, they are so good in Shetland and their personalities really shine through on screen.

Matt has a girlfriend in Edinburgh 鈥� how does he manage the long-distance relationship side of things?

I think he enjoys having work as an excuse to get his girlfriend off his back from time to time! I鈥檇 imagine it was a conversation between Matt and his girlfriend that went on for a while when he announced he鈥檇 be relocating to the Shetland Isles. Matt鈥檚 an ambitious guy, he鈥檚 not out in Shetland partying. He knows it could be a stepping stone back to Edinburgh or another major city and, for him, it鈥檚 a sacrifice worth making. Who knows what will happen?

We鈥檙e used to seeing you in comedies like Gavin & Stacey and Amandaland, was it nice to work on a drama like Shetland?

Absolutely. I mean I鈥檝e done a fair share of dramas over the years, but this particular one is special. It鈥檚 a close-knit crew, close-knit cast, the writing is rock solid and it鈥檚 nice to spend time in Scotland. It鈥檚 interesting, on this set, because they are quite close and it sometimes felt like a comedy as there鈥檚 a light heartedness on set between the cast and crew. The fact that these guys have their characters really under their skin, they can afford to have lighter moments between takes and have a laugh. When the director shouts 鈥渃ut!鈥� they can all switch on and off very quickly.

Have you ever visited the Shetland Isles before?

No鈥�and I still haven鈥檛! That鈥檚 the magic of television! All of my scenes are in the studio in Glasgow, so I didn鈥檛 actually go on location to the Shetland Isles. I have said that next series I want to get to the Shetland Isles even if it鈥檚 just to hand someone their jacket in a scene. I absolutely now have it on my list of places to visit.

I did make it to the Isle of Skye for a long weekend and had the most amazing weather. Instead of driving home to England for the weekend, I followed the sun, hired a car and went to Skye for the weekend. It was dusk when I reached the Isle of Skye and because it was early in the year, I avoided the midgies which was brilliant! I struck gold walking around the Isle of Skye in my shorts and t-shirt without having to cover myself in midgie spray.

What was it like filming with Ashley Jensen and Alison O鈥橠onnell?

They are one of the best duos I鈥檝e worked with for sure, hands down 鈥� they can switch it on and switch it off at the drop of a hat which is a skill I鈥檝e always wanted to sharpen and hone myself. And I think that when you鈥檙e around it, you can鈥檛 help but learn from them. They have a fantastic dynamic.

Shetland is hugely popular the world over 鈥� what do you think is the secret to its success?

It鈥檚 quite easy 鈥� it has that combination of brilliant writing, stunning locations and an incredible cast. It has that big arc but within it there are so many little avenues that it spins off to that you get your money鈥檚 worth.

There鈥檚 also something about the Scottish accent which is both the most friendly and the most stern ever which works really well for a police drama 鈥� for me, my ear gets two sides of these characters.

Of all the police shows I鈥檝e watched over the years, I鈥檝e cared about the characters of Calder and Tosh the most - they are so human, so believable.

Any memorable moments from filming?

I was just welcomed so warmly from day one they all looked after me so well. It was a really easy team to join. To come on to such a successful long running show, all the nerves were there but they were taken away immediately because everyone was so great to me. Oh, and the best caterers I鈥檝e worked with which is really important on set.

Guest characters in Shetland Series 10

Arthur Mair played by Clive Russell

Born and bred in Shetland, Arthur Mair spent most of his working life on the oil rigs. Kind, caring and uncomplaining, Arthur is very much a 鈥榙oer鈥� rather than a 鈥榯alker鈥�. Family is important to Arthur, and he has a particularly close relationship with his granddaughter Jess, as well as being the sole carer of his wife Lana, who has vascular dementia.

Lana Mair played by Ellie Haddington

Originally from Aberdeen, Lana moved to Shetland when she met her husband, Arthur, where she also became close friends with Eadie Tulloch. Before the tragic loss of her son Ally over two decades ago, Lana was a positive and warm person. However, Ally鈥檚 death took its toll on Lana as she was overwhelmed with grief. In the past few years, Lana has developed dementia and requires support from her family.

Tom Jameson played by Niall Macgregor

Stoic, tacit and unemotional, Tom believes in actions rather than words. Due to a recent heart condition, he鈥檚 been unable to work for 18 months, and has been forced to move in with his in-laws, Arthur and Lana Mair, along with his wife Isobel and pregnant teenage daughter Jess. He鈥檚 a conflicted and complex character who鈥檚 struggling to adapt to his new reality. As a person who always prided himself on providing for his family, Tom鈥檚 unsure of who he is anymore.

Isobel Jameson played by Louise Brealey

Born and bred in quiet hamlet of Lunniswick, Isobel is cheery and hard-working, always putting others before herself - especially her family. Isobel believes that in spite of all the struggles her family is going through 鈥� husband Tom鈥檚 illness, her mother鈥檚 dementia, daughter Jess鈥檚 unplanned pregnancy 鈥� it鈥檒l all come good once her first grandchild arrives. Isobel is hopeful that a new life will bring much-needed joy and focus to the family. However, her optimism will be tested to the limits when tragedy casts a shadow over Lunniswick.

Jess Jameson played by Lila Rose

The only child of Tom and Isobel Jameson, teenager Jess is a perfect mix of both her parents, possessing her father鈥檚 temper and her mum鈥檚 optimism. Jess is an excellent student and was all set for university until she fell pregnant. Partly due to pressure from her mother, Jess decided to keep the baby. However, with the birth date looming, Jess feels increasingly exiled and is starting to have second thoughts about motherhood.

Colin Waite played by Greg Mchugh

A well-known local figure, Colin Waite knows everyone in Lunniswick - and their business. That鈥檚 why, for some, he鈥檚 seen as nosey and a bit judgemental. In recent months, Colin has thrown himself into pulling together the history of the village. Through his research chats, Colin grew close to murder victim Eadie, looking out for her when others turned a blind eye. So, for all his faults, Colin can be kind and thoughtful. That doesn鈥檛 change the fact he鈥檚 a little eccentric and peculiar.

Gina Powell played by Frances Grey

Life hasn鈥檛 always been easy on Gina Powell, especially not of late. Gina can be guarded and untrusting, but she wasn鈥檛 always this way 鈥� her life took a turn for the worst after her husband was sent to prison for armed robbery and then abandoned her on his release, leaving Gina to raise their son, David, alone. Feeling judged by the locals, Gina distanced herself from her neighbours and has a reputation for being prickly and unapproachable. David is the sole focus in Gina鈥檚 life and his recent prison stint has stirred up painful memories from the past, making her more anxious and fearful than ever.

David Powell played by Stephen Mcmillan

Painfully shy, lacking in confidence and easily influenced, David spent the last eighteen months in prison serving time for housebreaking. Since his release, David has been living back with his mum, Gina, in Lunniswick and is trying to recover from his ordeal. Despite David鈥檚 criminality, he is not a bad person. He has made poor choices and this, combined with some bad luck, has sent him down the wrong path. Lonely and anxious, David struck up an odd friendship with Eadie but her murder will bring heartbreak and unwanted attention to him. All David wants is to rebuild his life but that鈥檚 easier said than done.

Edward 鈥楨d鈥� Tulloch played by Stuart Townsend

Handsome and charming, Ed Tulloch has a certain undeniable allure about him. In his younger years, Ed was a successful poet and his work is well-known across the Shetland Isles. These days, he鈥檚 a businessman in the drinks trade but poetry is in his DNA. Ed鈥檚 grief about his mother鈥檚 murder is tinged with regret as he had become estranged from Eadie in recent years. For all his charm and easy humour, there鈥檚 a sadness to Ed and it鈥檚 clear there鈥檚 something deeper underneath.

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