User Reviews

I've been counting the days for season 8 to drop and I'm not disappointed. I was ecstatic that Ashley Jensen would be joining many of the previous cast members. I think her character fits right in and that she's the right person to play this character. As with the previous seasons, it takes the first two or three episodes to get a handle on all of the various characters and to understand how they all fit in with the story line. Once it starts to click it becomes hard to wait for the next episode. I'm impatiently waiting for the remainder of the episodes in this season and look forward to next season.

If you had never seen seasons one to seven of Shetland you would watch this without any concept of just how much Douglas Henshall owned the series and the quizzical rather dour character of Jimmy Perez ... and you would think it was pretty good TV. As good as Tosh is though she is not Jimmy Perez. This has a rather lightweight feel to it without his presence and the ring in DI is just OK for me. I'll keep watching it though because I love the cinematography, the Scottish accents and Shetland, beautiful Shetland. The story line so far feels a bit disjointed but it's early days I guess and the visual treat that this show has always been is still there for me. I would doubt that they'll be pursuing another season though ... it's just not strong enough!

Well, I don't dislike it entirely, but I don't really like it. At least not an of episode 1.

I can see where new tensions will play out with a new character connected to the area with her own complicated past.

But the tone is quite different. More intense, pacing is faster and more like other cop shows, and character content/context is lessened.

The program's mood drew me to it, and I'm hoping a richer mood might return, but with the loss of main and recurring characters and the addition of a more fiery and typical female officer type, I'm doubtful.

Will be watching the next episode to see where we go...but I'm not enthusiastic.

While I loved Jimmy Perez, I think they have done a fantastic job of bringing in a new character and refreshing the show. To be honest, the last couple of seasons of Shetland were a bit depressing. Jimmy seemed to be so angry all the time, and not looking at the evidence rationally. I really like the character of Calder and how she is working with Tosh. And by especially love that she is originally from Shetland. The dynamics between her and some of the other locals is very interesting.

There is a lot that can happen with this show and I think it is moving in the right direction. I'm very excited by the first episode!

Bloody brilliant work done in the casting and tone of this 'refresh' episode - I loved Perez but I'm so glad they haven't lingered on his absence and made it a really somber tone. It's like they've shedded a heavy winter coat: there's still mystery, intrigue and spooky windswept islands but a whole new perspective and probably a whole bevy of new regulars. I'm looking forward to it! And also, a great decision to bridge the loss of Jimmy by amping up Tosh's role which is so satisfying for long-time viewers who recall her hungover and spewing up her guts in ep 1. Can't wait to see more and I hope there are renewer seasons on the way.

I love Shetland. I totally expected Season 8 to suffer without Doug Henshall's "Jimmy Perez". He role he assumed was the heart of the show, or so it seemed. But, Alison O'Donnell's "Tosh" has completely and utterly stepped up to the plate and made this show her own. Ashley Jensen's "DI Ruth Calder" character is simply a wonderful, added bonus who makes every role she plays worth watching. Who doesn't love her? Sandy and Billy are definitely top notch, keeping their characters strong. Everyone has definitely brought their A game. Kudos to all involved. Can't wait for Season 9!! Please say it's in the works!!

What makes Shetland is Shetland. This vast pristine island with windy landscapes and a frothy sea. While Jimmy was there, he was fantastic but his character was stuck and the writing often dull. His daughter is in and out; they don't know what to do with her. The dual role of fathers was going nowhere. Jimmy's inept romances were tiresome. Henshall himself said he was weary and wanted out of the series. Not all 7 seasons with Jimmy have been that great. But, I've always liked Tosh. Ever since the first time we see her hungover from a chocolate liquor drink waking up on the floor full of other partygoers and getting that call for her first day on the job with Jimmy.

In S8, Det. Calder comes in slow and unobtrusively with great insight. The story is well written better than previous ones because it is all new and different and not clinging to past characters. I really hope there is a S9. The writing is solid. It feels fresh. It feels like Shetland. Breathtaking.

Unfortunately the segment where we're presented with DI Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) entering the story is bland and as far as dialogue is concerned surprisingly weak. Most of the actors here read lines as if they're pretty much cardboard figures. Shockingly bad.

Maisie Norma Seaton as Ellen Quinn is acceptable and does her part with some conviction. It's sad writers have to resort her being a bit on the daft side in order to propel the story, but it's done quite well and works.

Fortunately once we hit Shetland the usual crew with Tosh (Alison O'Donnell), Sandy (Steven Robertson) keep up their end as well as usual even if Perezs (Douglas Henshall) absence is felt as no-one fills in his place. I think that's smart, because that's too much to ask for .

Ashley Jensen comes back here and feels a lot more alive for the rest of this episode. She's a bit laidback in her acting, but this works for her as Calder. Much better than in the intro.

The bad guys are OK. Not boring nor exciting or irritating. Their trajectory could have been a little more interesting. But this is only the first episode.

Hopefully this will pick even qualitywise as we go. The story is at least somewhat interesting, so might build into something worthwhile.

We'll, DI Perez is gone... liked his character to a certain degree... but he was becoming very morose... too much though! I like his chsrecter , but as each series started his morose and seriously dull character became a switch off... the scenery really kept me watching...

The new DI is great... adds a bit of freshness to series... Tosh is good... and the new show has elevated her position too! Great storylines too that twist and turn constantly... scenery is stunning and atmospheric! Excellent! I hope the DI is developed throughout this series and look forward to future series... keep it going BBC!

It's taken me a couple of weeks but I blitzed this from Series 1 episode 1. Today I just started season 8 ep. 1. Hang on...what is going on?

This is not like Shetland I have come to love.

Oh, hang on... it's leading up to a new DI, who has been sent to Shetland. So, I'll keep watching - then I'll finish the review.

Oh, okay, Ashley Jensen, a really good idea to cast her she's great. Some light relief with her comedy prowess.

But I miss Perez. I'm glad he is happy and with someone now though. I got very invested in these characters. Sign of good writing.

Well, so far so good. I'm glad Shetland is back for a new series. I look forward to it everyday. Once I'm caught up I'll have to wait a week - what will I do.

Way to ruin one of my favorite shows. I still love the other characters, but I can't stand this new DI. I'll just be rewatching seasons 1-7. Perez was flawed, but caring, an important part of the community. Calder is nasty, hateful, rude and self-centered. The addition of her character makes the show so insufferable, that it isn't worth watching, even for the long term likable regulars. Add to that the fact that so far, beyond the others in the police, none of the colorful characters from seasons past that live in the surrounding communities have shown up. It left me completely unsatisfied, and seriously disappointed.

I was a big fan of the series up to now. Binge watched the whole series a couple of times. Now that Doug is gone, I was a bit sceptical that it would work as well. So I was willing to watch with the new DCI, not sure about her yet. She's a bit broody, but maybe that was just for this episode being a character builder. I also can't say as I like the new tone...trashy foul language and all. The last seasons did very well without it and I agree with a previous reviewer...foul language isn't necessary to make a good series. Not sure I'll be keeping up with this series any longer. I really had to force myself to watch this first episode all the way through.

The modern machine only knows how to destroy what others created.

You took one if the great series & brought in the now hackneyed formula.

It is always difficult to replace the lead on an iconic series. Having said that, I can't defend this codswallop. You bring in one of the most unlikable shrews to be the main lead. The girl they're after is only slightly less repulsive.

The regular cast, who've helped make the series a winner, seemed pushed to the side to make way for Cruella. She's not interesting. She's not remotely friendly, relatable, sympathetic & her entire demeanor is caustic. No wonder she seems desperately miserable.

It's only episode 1. I'm willing to let this develop. But, I have little hope given the way the modern machine of this industry now works.

This show went from a strong male character who was smart and made good decisions both personally and professionally to a week female character who is floundering and who makes poor decisions and stupid mistakes. A much smarter move would have been to make her character smart and tough. Calder's acting is good enough and she could have pulled it off. She is in a leadership position, yet the show now depends on Tosh to pick up where Perez left off. We watched episode one but could not finish the second. We're done. I can easily find better things to do than waste my time watching Calder's character blunder on. Also, the show is far too graphic now. Too much blood and violence. None of the earlier seasons relied on graphic violence. There was no need to rachet up the blood and guts. No thank you. I'm gone....

We were willing to give the new version a shot. I always liked Alison O'Donnell, and I thought Ashley Jensen would add a different flavor, so I welcomed her. The rub, however, is the "mature" language. I don't remember so many uses of f%$k and s$$t. It's excessive, unnecessary and interrupted the flow of the story. We won't be watching the rest of the season.

Really GOOD writers do not need to pepper foul language so thoroughly from start to finish. It's lazy writing. The show has wonderful scenery, good local actors, and interesting plots, totally ruined by trashy language. I know many will say, "that's how people talk," but it's really not. We switched to "Doc Martin," with nary a curse word to be heard.

RIP Shetland.

BBC diversity killed it.

This series is nothing without DI Perez and his family.

Fill the cast with strong women and people of colour all you want, after all that's the Shetland demographic, but without Perez this series is just flat, boring and mundane.

The only men left are stereotypical bad guys and low level cops.

When yhe writers got desperate that episode 1 was dull they simply upped the body count.

Well done BBC you've done another Top Gear.

Lovely scenery though, even the BBC can't ruin that.

This was a gem of a series when Perez was the lead character. It gave the show genuine warmth and sincerity.

We watched every episode of the first 7 seasons and loved them. We always love the setting and the accents,and never really knew who did it. Characters were developed very well the story lines developed to link everything together as a series should. We were looking forward to another season, although skeptical without Jimmy Perez.

We want season 8, episode 1 with much anticipation. The show would have been pretty good, but what's with the F-bombs!?! They just kept on rolling out! The language wasn't necessary to the plot, especially considering the AMOUNT that was used.

Way to ruin a perfectly good series. We won't be watching any more episodes.

I will. Wait. For. My full review. Will. Try. To. Get. Close to 600 as. Their. Arbitrary standard. For how they. Determine. If. A. review. Is worthy.

But, wanted to express. My great. Relief. That. They, so far, seem. To. Be using. The same theme song.

Why. Is. That. Important?

Because. It sets. The. Mood..

I. Looked. At. Some reviews: I. Am. Not expecting it to. Be. "the. Same. Shetland". That's okay.

I have. Never. Been. Crazy about Ashley. Jensen but I love Tosh, Alison. O'Donnell so I am really glad. She. Is still here. I. hope. She will. Be. Central. She is so. Good. At. Understatement.