Shetland 10 starts on 5 November 2025

[IwantToRetire]

Forget about the fireworks, stay in as new series of Shetland starts next week!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002lt9z

I think those of us who have stuck with Shetland through thick and thin, just about filled up the last thread which is here https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/4931718-shetland-season-8?page=40

Given how bad many 9pm slots have been recently this series may even be a pleasant surprise.

It really was a shame the separated sisters and social workers story was just flung aside, having no connection to the main plot whatsoever. Having introduced Billy’s wife it was completely illogical not to weave that thread into the resolution.

I agree. It's just lazy writing. Too much padding-out with sub-plots that go nowhere, and not enough proper, character-driven stuff.

What would be more interesting is the investigative reports from journalists that would follow this in real life? Old woman murdered as she’d sent out young boys to their deaths to protect the drug smuggling of her bent copper husband who she continued to cover for whilst holding a senior role in society which gave her the power to rule on other peoples families? Beardy video neighbour would have a field day!

I thought the conclusion was ridiculous. Old guy takes old woman outside to her death and she supposedly doesn't struggle and just goes along with it.

They definitely need new script writers.

I don't think her not struggling was unrealistic in itself, there were plenty more unreasonable and improbable scenes than that!

It seemed to be a mish mash of various stories. Not IMO like the series with Jimmy Perez, which hung together.

I think it does feel like in previous series the different elements would weave together more - and even if it was a red herring it would at least have a resolution - but maybe I’m looking back too fondly. I would have to re watch to give a fair comparison.

I think some of the earlier series were only a couple of episode weren't they?

S1 was. All the others were six episodes.

Having started with the most recent season and then gone back to the beginning - the difference in quality is so obvious

Having started with the most recent season and then gone back to the beginning - the difference in quality is so obvious

Exactly the same for me, and I fully agree.

It used to be 'appointment' TV', in the days when that was a thing, like Line of Duty or The Wire. Nowadays, some of the C5 dramas are better written.

And I’m gutted because I love Ashley Jensen!

In all honesty I think most series like this have a shelf life of maximum 3-4 seasons before they start to lose their way. I’m trying to think of one series that bucks that rule

Midsummer murders and Taggart spring to mind. Both changed main character successfully.

I thought the last one with Jimmy Perez was good, but Dougie Henshall was right to call it a day then.

Agatha Christie knew when to kill Poirot off - she actually wrote his last case in the early 1940s - it was only the publisher who kept it hanging on until the early seventies. (Or as far as I recall.)

The Bill might be the best example. But yes, I agree. And for a cop show set in London, you can have a revolving cast of characters over the years, and that works. You couldn't keep bringing new polis into Shetland like that, it would be ridiculous. Half the point of Shetland is that it's not London.

I stand corrected 🙈 but there aren’t many that go on successfully for years

I'm guessing the earlier ones are based on the books?

The Bill lost it’s way long before it finished (I was a massive fan!)!

Vera? (The quality varies but it’s not linear, and I wouldn’t say the early seasons are noticeably better than the fifteen million that follow them.)

Strike? Seems to be maturing nicely.

How I wish Dept Q had put out enough seasons for me to start saying It was better in the old days. That would be happiness!

I’m currently watching Hope Street - s3 and you can feel the difference. I loved Blue Lights but hope they don’t keep that going too long.

Ooh not heard of Strike - will look that up. Tried Vera, couldn’t bear it.

I turned to Vera when I was missing Shetland. The landscapes are breathtaking - and every single character has a beautiful kitchen.

It’s Vera’s voice - it annoys me. Not the accent, and not the actress but the particular voice she has in the programme 🙈