Ashley Jensen has candidly opened up about her off-screen bond with co-star Alison O'Donnell as the duo prepare to return to screens in Shetland's milestone 10th series.
The six-part run will see Ms Jensen return as DI Ruth Calder alongside Ms O’Donnell’s DS Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh, as the pair head to the isolated hamlet of Lunniswick to investigate the brutal murder of an elderly woman.
Based on the best-selling novels by Ann Cleeves OBE, the BBC drama first launched in 2013 with Douglas Henshall leading the cast as DI Jimmy Pérez.
The series follows detectives working across the Shetland Isles, solving brutal murder cases within tightly-knit island communities.
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Ashley Jenson and Alison O'Donnell on the set of Shetland
|BBC
Shetland continues to be one of the BBC’s most successful long-running dramas. The most recent season ranked in the top 10 most-watched BBC dramas of 2024, and was the number one BBC drama in Scotland last year, with critics praising its strong character development.
However, not all viewers have been satisfied with recent storylines, with Ms Jensen facing particular scrutiny after taking over from fan-favourite Mr Henshall.
Despite the naysayers, however, Ms Jensen has nothing but positive things to say about her tenure as the drama's leading lady, especially given she's got long-serving Ms O'Donnell by her side.
Ahead of season 10's premiere, Ms Jensen emphasised this further as she paid tribute to her co-star and the bond they've developed away from the Scottish island.
Ashley Jenson will return for season 10 of Shetland
|BBC
“We’re both very down to earth, but we take our work very seriously," Ms Jensen told the BBC of their friendship.
She went on: "We like each other and respect each other… when we’re all off filming in Shetland, all that way from home, we make a point of getting together and enjoy nights out.
"The ship is run by two mums, so I think it’s in safe hands!”
Ms O’Donnell also added her thoughts on the chemistry between the two characters. “I think Calder and Tosh are really complementary," she added to the BBC.
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Ashley Jenson took over from Douglas Henshaw in series 8
|BBC
"They have quite distinctive policing styles, but between them they’ve got everything covered.
"The comedy flourishes the writers give us are a lovely counterpoint to the darkness of the drama.”
For the first time in the 10th series, the fictional town has taken over a real-life village in Levenwick, rather than filming largely on set.
“I always like filming on location because it feels more alive,” Ms Jensen said of the all-new filming decision.
“You’re actually in a house, you’re beside the water and you can smell the sea air outside… the elements are bigger than you and as much a part of the show as the actors and the storyline.”
While it sounds like both Ms Jensen and Ms O'Donnell are eager to see Tosh and Calder back on screen, they're far from alone as the show's fandom has also flooded social media with their excited messages.
“Can’t wait. I’m re-reading the whole Shetland series to fill the next week,” penned one viewer on X ahead of Wednesday's premiere.
Elsewhere, another expressed her anticipation for the show's return: “New Shetland means autumn has truly arrived. Can’t wait!”
Alison O'Donnell as Tosh on the set of Shetland
|BBC
Some, however, noted it will be “not quite the same without Jimmy Perez", echoing the complaints that have plagued Ms Jensen's stint on the show since day one.
Since departing Shetland, Mr Henshall has gone on to star in Netflix's Who is Erin Carter? and Sky's Scandi-noir drama, The Darkness.