How To Watch ‘Shetland’ Season 9


BBC/Silverprint Films/Jamie Simpson ©

The perfect cosy crime drama set in Scotland returns tonight! Here’s what to expect and how to watch season 9 of Shetland.

Earlier this year, the BBC has confirmed that popular detective show Shetland has been commissioned for another two seasons. After a year-long wait, the ninth season of the show returns to our screens this month!

The show first aired in 2013 and was an instant hit with crime drama fans. In season 8, actress Ashley Jensen made her debut as the show’s new detective DI Ruth Calder, replacing the much-loved former lead Douglas Henshall and his character Jimmy Perez.

Shetland is one of the best Scottish TV shows to binge-watch. According to the BBC, Shetland was the second biggest drama of the year in Scotland across all channels in 2023, attracting an average of seven million viewers.

Ashley Jensen told the BBC: “The reaction to the last series was incredible and I’m excited at the prospect of unravelling more intrigue.

“The Shetland Isles are breath-taking – without a doubt one of the most memorable and unique filming locations I’ve been to.”

Actresses Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell return, while actor Ian Hart joins the cast. Image: BBC

Shetland season 9 cast

Ashley Jensen returns as DI Ruth Calder and Alison O’Donnell as DS Alison “Tosh” McIntosh. Other key actors Steven Robertson (Sandy), Lewis Howden (Billy) and Anne Kidd (Cora) also return.

Ian Hart (Mr Bates VS The Post OfficeHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and The Responder) joins the cast as Oxford University Professor of Mathematics and mentor to the missing persons case, Euan Rossi. Hollywood actor Vincent Regan (300, Troy, Clash of the Titans and Traces) will also make an appearance as a Scots fisherman and one of the main crime suspects, John Harris.

What to expect from Shetland season 9

Shetland is set in the mot northerly part of the UK, the Shetland Islands.

The show’s detectives often find themselves investigating complex crimes within the remote, close-knit Shetland community, uncovering some dark secrets hidden beneath the picturesque landscape.

In the latest six-part instalment, Tosh’s friend Annie Bett goes missing, and a chilling tale of related disappearances spark a labyrinthine investigation for the pair of detectives. Calder has no time to recover from a shock in her own personal life as the pair set out on a double missing persons case.

However, as events unfold, multiple threads and leads appear to be involved in the disappearance of Annie and her young son, Noah.

How to watch Shetland season 9 in the UK

Shetland season 9 will air Wednesday, November 6, on BBC One at 9 pm. Showings will repeat weekly on Wednesdays until December 11. You can also catch up on the latest episodes on BBC iPlayer. 

Older seasons of Shetland are also available for a fee on Prime and Apple TV.

How to watch Shetland season 9 in the US and Australia

Previous seasons have been available to overseas audiences on Britbox, so it’s likely season 9 will also be uploaded here for streaming. However, it’s likely that audiences abroad will have to wait an extra month for this.