Douglas Henshall to star in new BBC1 crime drama "Shetland"

Scottish actor Douglas Henshall will take the lead in two-part adaptation of book by award-winning author Ann Cleeves

Shetland will be the backdrop to a small-screen murder mystery based on the work of award-winning crime writer Ann Cleeves. Douglas Henshall is to star in Shetland, a new two-part crime drama on BBC1.

“A powerful murder-mystery set against the stunning Scottish backdrop of the Shetland Isles”, the show will feature Henshall as Detective Jimmy Perez, a recently widowed native Shetlander who has returned to the island after a long time away.

Shetland is written by David Kane (The Field Of Blood, Taggart, Rebus) and based on a book by award-winning crime novelist Ann Cleeves.  The show will be produced by Sue De Beauvoir (Merlin, Waterloo Road) and directed by Peter Hoare (Vera, Silk, Five Days).  Shetland will be produced by ITV Studios for BBC Scotland.

Douglas Henshall said: "I am very much looking forward to working with David Kane, filming in Scotland and being back on BBC One.”

Elaine Collins, Executive Producer, ITV Studios, added: “We are delighted to be working with the BBC on this commission. Shetland combines eccentric yet warm characters and a classic murder mystery story with the beautiful landscape and rich history of the Shetland Islands and we believe it will be hugely popular with viewers.”

Christopher Aird, Head of Drama, Scotland and Executive Producer, BBC said: “Shetland has a fantastic combination of writing, acting, directing and producing talent. It is a hugely exciting story and part of a project to bring the very best drama to BBC Scotland in the coming years.”

Shetland will broadcast later in 2012.

Source: Radio Times

Also reported by The Shetland Times / HeraldScotland / Shetland News / Digital Spy