Cast announced for new series of Scottish drama

Ciaran Hinds (Game of Thrones), Archie Panjabi (The Fall), and Anna Chancellor (Mapp & Lucia) have joined the cast of BBC One drama Shetland Series 3, alongside series star Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Perez.

The six-part series made by ITV Studios through BBC Scotland, and adapted from Ann Cleeves’ acclaimed crime novels, also sees the return of regulars Alison O’Donnell, Steven Robertson, Julie Graham and Mark Bonnar.

Also joining the cast is James Cosmo (Troy), Saskia Reeves (Wolf Hall), Sara Vickers (Endeavour), Jack Greenlees (Stonemouth), Jamie Michie (Game Of Thrones), Mark Cox (Still Game), Kate Donnelly (Still Game) and Andrew Rothney (Outlander).

The new series centres on the disappearance of a young man on a ferry crossing from Aberdeen to Lerwick. Suspecting foul play, DI Perez and his team begin an investigation which has far-reaching consequences for them all and the local community.

Ciaran Hinds is delighted to join the popular BBC One drama: “I’m looking forward to locking swords with Douglas Henshall and working against the stunning backdrop of Shetland. I came to Scotland a lot in the 70s and 80s in various theatre productions and of course to film Hallam Foe but this is the furthest I’ve ever been.”

Shetland is written by Gaby Chiappe (The Paradise), Robert Murphy (DCI Banks) and David Kane (The Field Of Blood). The series is directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan and Jan Matthys.

Elaine Collins, Executive Producer, ITV Studios welcomes the new stellar cast: “Shetland has a magnificent core cast led by Douglas Henshall. In our third series, this time telling one story over six hours, our regulars will be joined by a wonderful group of prominent and talented actors who we feel sure have been attracted by some really exciting scripts.”

Shetland Series 3 is currently filming in Scotland until the summer.