Shetland season 8 cast | Meet the new and returning characters

Publish date: 2024-06-16

She's introduced to number of familiar Shetland faces, plus a raft of new guest stars – some friends and some foes.

Read on for a rundown of the Shetland season 8 cast.

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Shetland season 8 cast

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Read on for more information on the characters in Shetland season 8, and where you've seen the cast before.

Ashley Jensen plays Ruth Calder

Who is Ruth Calder? A detective inspector who works for the Metropolitan Police in London. Ruth was born and raised in Shetland, but left as soon as she turned 18. She reluctantly heads back up north as part of an investigation into a gangland shooting.

Where have I seen Ashley Jensen before? Many people will know her from After Life with Ricky Gervais, Channel 4 comedy Catastrophe, Ugly Betty starring America Ferrera, crime comedy-drama Agatha Raisin, and sitcom Extras.

Alison O'Donnell plays Alison ''Tosh'' McIntosh

Who is Alison "Tosh" McIntosh? An ambitious, smart detective sergeant. Tosh was close with Jimmy, but the show must go on without him. She was raped a few years ago, with the series charting her recovery from the trauma of her ordeal. In the last season, she was dealt another cruel blow when she very nearly died after being caught up in an explosion.

What else has Alison O'Donnell been in? Shetland is Alison O'Donnell's most sizeable TV role to date. Before playing Tosh, she was better known for her work on stage, treading the boards in Boys, The Hard Man and Lorca's Yerma.

Steven Robertson plays Sandy Wilson

Who is DC Sandy Wilson? Sandy is a dedicated detective constable with a strong sense of right and wrong, but in season 6 his feelings for Kate Kilmuir occasionally clouded his judgement and got him into trouble. His knowledge of the local area and community makes him a key member of the team.

What else has Steven Robertson been in? The Scottish actor, who was actually born in Lerwick on the Shetland Islands, has appeared in period drama Harlots, Doctor Who, Being Human and more. He also starred in a radio adaptation of Shetland, playing DI Jimmy Perez himself.

Lewis Howden plays Billy McCabe

Who is Sergeant Billy McCabe? A reliable and experienced police sergeant.

What else has Lewis Howden been in? Although he is better known for his stage work, Howden has a collection of TV credits including Hope Springs, Taggart and Monarch of the Glen.

Conor McCarry plays Alex Grant

Who is PC Alex Grant? A member of the team at Shetland police.

What else has Conor McCarry been in? He starred as Dessie Toner in ITV drama The Loch, and has also made appearances in Outlander (as Young Jamie) and BBC dramas The Night Manager and Rillington Place.

Anne Kidd plays Cora

Who is Cora? A forensic pathologist who is extremely dedicated to her work.

Where have I seen Anne Kidd before? She's had minor roles in Outlander, BBC drama Vigil, ITV's Victoria and more.

Angus Miller plays Donnie

Who is Donnie? Tosh's partner and the father of her child.

What else has Angus Miller been in? Miller appeared in the TV series Teacup Travels. He is more often seen on stage in Scotland (Let the Right One In, Trainspotting, The Belle's Stratagem).

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There's also PC Lorna Burns, played by Eubha Akilade (Find Me in Paris).

Shetland season 8 guest stars

Shetland season 8 airs on Wednesdays at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Ann Cleeves's Shetland novels are available to buy now. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.

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