THE BBC has announced the guest cast line-up for the new series of Shetland starring Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell.
Show bosses have confirmed that filming for season nine of the hit crime drama has kicked off.
Joining the two leading ladies in season nine of Shetland are acclaimed actors Harry Potter star Ian Hart and Luther: The Fallen Sun actor Vincent Regan.
The Beeb previously confirmed that series favourites Ashley, who plays DI Ruth Calder, and Alison, who plays DI Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh, will be returning to their roles once more in the ninth season.
The new six-part series, based on award-winning novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves, sees DI Calder - now a resident of the Isles -thrown into an uncomfortable situation after a friend of Tosh’s goes missing.
The chilling rumours of disappearances and death spark a labyrinth investigation for the crime-busting pair, which straddles the line between personal and professional.
Speaking on leading the guest cast, Ian said: I’m looking forward to embarking on a Shetland adventure – it’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit and to do so with this incredible drama is wonderful.”
Vincent added: “I’m thrilled be joining the cast of Shetland, which is such a beloved BBC drama. My character and his family are at the heart of this dark and twisting storyline, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.
“The opportunity to visit the Shetland Isles was also a real pull to the part, as well as working with the likes of Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell.”
Other guest cast starring in the upcoming new season of Shetland include Stuart Campbell, Robert Jack, Nalini Chetty, Jimmy Yuill, and Lesley Hart.
Series regulars who will be reprising their roles are Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson, Lewis Howden as Sgt Billy McCabe, Anne Kidd as Cora McLean, Angus Miller as Donnie, Steven Miller as Rev Alan Calder, Tibu Fortes as PF Harry Lamont, Conor McCarry as PC Alex Grant and Eubha Akilade as PC Lorna Burns.
The BBC also verified that the Silverprint Pictures production will be filming in locations around Scotland and on the Shetland Isles over the coming months, with the series debuting on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.
Series nine of the popular show will be written by lead writers Paul Logue and Denise Paul, produced by Louise V Say and directed by Andrew Cumming and Ruth Paxton.
Gaynor Holmes for the BBC and Kate Bartlett, Denise Paul, and Paul Logue for Silverprint Pictures are the show's executive producers.
Elsewhere BBC Shetland viewers have threatened to 'boycott' the hit crime drama following the announcement that Douglas Henshall would not be starring in the two upcoming seasons.
