The gripping BBC crime drama has made a triumphant return to television, launching its ninth season to the delight of its dedicated fanbase. The new series plunges DI Ruth Calder (portrayed by Ashley Jensen) and DI Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh (played by Alison O’Donnell) into a chilling case involving the disappearance and subsequent discovery of Tosh’s friend Annie Bett’s body.
This season heralds significant changes, with DI Calder taking the helm after settling back in Shetland for good. Her colleague Tosh has experienced substantial personal growth and evolution, a topic actress Alison O’Donnell discussed in depth as the latest series premiered on One.
Promotion has seen Tosh ascend to DI, becoming DI Calder’s indispensable partner, which has notably boosted her self-assurance. Alison O’Donnell shared insights into her character’s progression, stating that Tosh has been grappling with feelings of imposter syndrome despite her advancements.
“Tosh is where she has always been – Lerwick Police Station. Only now, side-by-side with DI Ruth Calder, she’s in charge too,” Alison disclosed. “I think she’s been on a journey with her confidence ever since we first met her with her braces and her bobble hat.”
Alison O’Donnell elaborated on Tosh’s character growth, adding: “For sure her confidence has increased pretty rapidly over the last couple of years as she has stepped into the breach following Perez’s departure and discovered she was more capable than she perhaps first thought.”
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Ashley Jensen plays DI Ruth Calder and Alison O’Donnell plays DI Alison (Image: BBC/Silverprint Films/Jamie Simpson)
She continued: “She still has little moments of doubt, though, and I think that’s important because the audience have watched her grow from rookie status to ‘heid bummer’ [the big boss] and it’s both realistic and relatable that she would wobble from time to time. I think everyone has imposter syndrome, some people are just better at hiding it than others.”
The first two episodes of Shetland’s gripping ninth series have already hit the screens, with the third gripping instalment set for Wednesday, 27 November at 9pm, while fans can also binge-watch all three episodes on iPlayer, reports .
Yet reactions to the latest series of Shetland have left fans divided, with a number of viewers voicing their dissatisfaction, describing the initial episodes as lacklustre and claiming the series is veering towards a “downhill” trend after the 20 November broadcast.
Shetland fans were left distracted during the first instalment of series nine (Image: BBC)
Dismayed viewers took to social media to express their concerns. One troubled viewer took to X, the platform formerly known as , to comment: “Struggling a bit with this series…… #Shetland.” (sic)
Another echoed the sentiment: “Really struggling with this series of #shetland Just not invested in McCagney and McLacey.” (sic)
Alison O’Donnell plays Tosh in Shetland (Image: BBC)
Another fan lamented: “Urgh. #Shetland went downhill fast.” (sic)
While one other critic bluntly remarked: “Modern dramas are so plodding and naff #Shetland.” (sic)
Shetland airs Wednesdays at 9pm on One and iPlayer.