The Ultimate Shetland Cast and Character Breakdown: Unveiling the Brilliant Scottish Crime Drama's Talented Actors

Summary

Shetland is a gripping Scottish crime drama set in the eponymous Scottish archipelago, known for its darker and more sinister edge.

The Shetland cast has undergone changes throughout the years, yet their performances consistently impress, establishing the show as a beloved hit. Each passing year, the show brilliantly revitalizes the small-town crime genre, solidifying its status as one of Scotland's finest.

Despite undergoing changes and growth throughout nearly a decade on air, the Shetland cast consistently delivers captivating performances in this gripping Scottish crime drama. Premiering in 2013 on BBC One, Shetland takes place on the eponymous Scottish archipelago, and follows the local police force as they investigate crimes that disrupt their tranquil community. With its distinctly Scottish setting and elements of small-town crime, Shetland distinguishes itself from other British crime dramas by incorporating a darker and more sinister edge, resulting in thrilling performances.

Maintaining its status as a critical favorite season after season, Shetland impressively received a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its fourth season in 2018. Although the departure of Douglas Henshall, who played DI Jimmy Pérez, caused a major shakeup in the cast during its seventh season, the long-running crime series shows no signs of slowing down without its original star. Shetland not only stands as one of the best shows set in Scotland, but also continues to reinvent the small-town crime genre with each passing year.

Douglas Henshall As Jimmy Pérez (Seasons 1-7)

Leading the cast of Shetland for the initial seven seasons, Douglas Henshall takes on the role of the relentless Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez, aiding in the resolution of numerous arduous cases. Henshall gained substantial recognition for his portrayal in Shetland, but he also showcased his talent as Nick Cutter in the underappreciated science fiction series Primeval. Moreover, Henshall portrayed Alan Campbell in the 2009 cinematic adaptation of Dorian Gray, and he captivated audiences as Edgar Alabaster in the movie Angels and Insects. In addition to his involvement in Shetland, Henshall also made an impact in a smaller capacity as Taran MacQuarrie in the cast of Outlander.

Alison O'Donnell As Alison "Tosh" McIntosh (Seasons 1-Present)

In Shetland, Alison O'Donnell acts alongside DI Pérez as Alison McIntosh, his partner in tackling the various crimes within their tight-knit community. O'Donnell is most notably recognized for her role as the Zoo shopkeeper in Feel the Force, and she has also portrayed Wendy Weiss in Holby City. Furthermore, O'Donnell appeared in the 2019 adaptation of Stephen King's Pet Sematary as a party guest and played the character Kirsty in Do No Harm.

Steven Robertson As Sandy Wilson (Seasons 1-Present)

Sandy Wilson, portrayed by Steven Robertson, is a skilled Detective Constable hailing from Shetland. His extensive knowledge of the community proves invaluable in solving crimes. Recognizable for his notable roles in both film and television, Robertson has left a lasting impression as Francis Throckmore in Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Trevor in the action-packed film Survivor. His talent also graced the small screen as Pritchard in an episode of Doctor Who and Stoddart in T2 Trainspotting. Notably, Robertson captivated audiences as Robert Oswald in the captivating modern period piece series Harlots.

Mark Bonnar As Duncan Hunter (Seasons 1-Present)

Mark Bonnar is part of the Shetland cast, taking on the role of Duncan Hunter, who happens to be Cassie's biological father. He often finds himself at odds with Jimmy. In addition to his work in numerous video games, Bonnar has made a name for himself in roles such as Colin Osborne in the crime drama series Unforgotten, for which he received a BAFTA award. He also caught the attention of viewers as Jimmy in Doctor Who. Bonnar portrayed Alwyn in the original series The Rig on Amazon Prime Video, and he even earned another BAFTA nomination for his portrayal of Jock Horsfall in Operation Mincemeat.

Julie Graham As Rhona Kelly (Seasons 2-5 & 7-Present)

Julie Graham portrays Rhona Kelly, the assertive Procurator Fiscal in charge at Lerwick Station, who serves as Pérez's unwavering superior officer. Prior to this role, Graham gained recognition for her portrayal of Mary Gilcrest in the comedy series William and Mary, as well as her notable performance as Ruby White in the Doctor Who spinoff series, The Sarah Jane Adventures. Additionally, she appeared as Mandy Lewis in Being Eileen and portrayed Dr. Susan Fisher in the medical comedy series Maternal.

Lewis Howden As Billy McCabe (Seasons 1 & 3-Present)

Lewis Howden, known for his role as Rab Sterling in the drama series Annika, brings Sgt. Billy McCabe, the amiable desk officer at the local police station, to life. With his deep connection to the community, McCabe proves to be invaluable in solving challenging cases. Howden's talent extends beyond television, as he has showcased his skills as a plainclothes police officer in the independent film Aberdeen. Additionally, he captivated audiences with his Scottish charm in the romantic TV movie Meet You in Scotland, portraying the character of Alfie.

Erin Armstrong As Cassie Pérez (Seasons 1-Present)

Erin Armstrong joins the Shetland cast as Cassie Pérez, Duncan's biological daughter who is actually much closer with her stepfather, Jimmy. Armstrong found her greatest success when she joined Shetland, after appearing as Catriona in the series River City. In addition to her role in Shetland, Armstrong also portrayed Mackenzie in the series World's End and Cherish in Millie Inbetween. Demonstrating her range as an actress, she showcased her dramatic side as Hectorina in Rillington Place.

Anne Kidd as Cora McLean (Seasons 2-Present)

Dr. Cora McLean practices in a small community and is often summoned by the police to serve as a crime scene investigator. Anne Kidd, renowned for portraying a State Representative in the gripping film The Jacket, has flawlessly assumed this role since the second season. Additionally, she has garnered acclaim for her portrayal of Noreen Diver in the iconic BBC series Tutti Frutti and her appearance as Grannie Wilson in the esteemed cast of Outlander season 6.

Anneika Rose As Maggie Kean (Seasons 6-7)

Lucianne McEvoy As Meg Pattison (Seasons 6-7)

Lucianne McEvoy portrays Meg Pattison, an end-of-life care nurse who develops a strong bond with Jimmy while providing support to his father during his final moments. While her role in the Shetland series marks her most prominent acting endeavor thus far, McEvoy has also showcased her talent in the action movie Dead Shot, where she played the role of Vet's Wife. Additionally, she garnered praise for her performance as Miss Wilson in the critically acclaimed short film Blackwool.

Ashley Jensen As Ruth Calder (Seasons 8-Present)

Though yet to make her debut on the show, Ashely Jensen is slated to portray DI Ruth Calder, the new lead detective who will be taking over following Jimmy Pérez's departure after season 7. Jensen is most notably recognized for her starring voice role as Bryony in the underappreciated Christmas film, Arthur Christmas, and for her portrayal of the biscuit woman in the thought-provoking movie, The Lobster. Additionally, Jensen achieved recognition for her extensive portrayal of Christina McKinney on Ugly Betty and for her role as Maggie Jacobs alongside Ricky Gervais in the beloved series Extras.

Shetland Supporting Cast

Playing the role of Donna Killick is Fiona Bell, a local resident who attempts to set up Duncan for a murder charge in season 6. Bell's portrayal of Diane's Mother in the renowned film Trainspotting earned her recognition, and she also appeared as Gillian Mooney in the popular series Blood.

Stewart Porter takes on the role of Billy McBride in the Shetland cast. He portrays a local police officer who offers assistance with cases. Porter's notable acting credits include Kenneth in Valhalla Rising and Gordo in the beloved drama series Finney.

Neve McIntosh joins the show's fourth season as Kate Kilmuir, a resident and mother in the town. McIntosh's role as Madame Vastra in Doctor Who has made her widely recognized, and she has also appeared as Sarah Simmon in Inspector George Gently.

Julia Brown takes on the role of Molly Kilmuir, Kate's teenage daughter, in season four of Shetland. Brown is well-known for her lead role as Lois Bennett in the war drama series World on Fire, and she also portrayed Ecgwyn in The Last Kingdom.

Playing the character Alec MacBay, a local from Shetland who becomes entangled in the case during season four, is Jimmy Chisholm. Chisholm's most notable performance on the big screen was as Faudron in Mel Gibson's Braveheart, and he also starred as Wamba in the 1997 adaptation of Ivanhoe.

Conor McCarry portrays PC Alex Grant, a local police officer who makes frequent appearances in season five of Shetland. Known for his role as the young Jamie in Outlander, McCarry is also recognized for his portrayal of Dessie Toner in The Loch.

Angus Miller takes on the role of Donnie, Tosh's partner and the father of her children in the show. Miller has previously appeared as Zack in Guilt and as Shuggie in The Gold.

Eubha Akilade has been enlisted in the Shetland cast for season seven, portraying the character of PC Lorna Burns, a native law enforcement officer. Prior to this role, Akilade showcased her talent as Lily in the television series Eve, and also had a supporting part as Amy Callaghan in the 2023 film The Diplomat.