DI Jimmy Perez will bow out at the end of its seventh series. 

The murder mystery drama series Shetland is due to return next month. However, the BBC have announced that it will be the last series for Douglas Henshall’s DI Jimmy Perez. The actor is leaving the show after nine years to pursue other acting opportunities.

It’s no surprise to the production team though, but rather the culmination of a long-term plan. Henshall began in the role of Jimmy Perez since Shetland began in 2013.

He explains:

“After series 5 of Shetland, David Kane and I decided we wanted to do two more series to complete the story of Jimmy Perez. So series 6 and 7 were commissioned together to give us time to wrap up Perez’s story to a satisfactory end.”

“It’s been one of the privileges of my career to play Jimmy Perez for almost ten years and to work with so many wonderful people both in front of and behind the camera, and also to spend so much time in Shetland. The Isles were so much a part of our show and of Perez himself. I’ll miss him and the place. I wish everyone involved much luck with whatever happens next.”

Shetland is based on the award-winning novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves. The show already has an eighth run confirmed; a new star and further casting will be announced in due course.

Gaynor Holmes, the show’s Executive Producer for BBC Drama says:

“It has been an absolute privilege to work on Shetland over the past few years and watch the show go from strength to strength – in no small part thanks to Douglas’s sensitive, intelligent and memorable portrayal of DI Jimmy Perez. We will miss him enormously but he leaves the show in rude health and we’re extremely excited about the plans we have for bringing more of this much loved drama to audiences far and wide.”

Shetland Series 7

The final case for Jimmy Perez plays out across six episodes. It sees the team look into the mysterious disappearance of a vulnerable young man. The investigation draws Perez into the secrets of a family new to Shetland, revealing an unimaginable threat to the community. Series 7 is written by David Kane, Paul Logue and Denise Paul.

Series regulars Alison O’Donnell (Tosh), Steven Robertson (Sandy), Mark Bonnar (Duncan), Anne Kidd (Cora), Lewis Howden (Sgt Billy McCabe), Erin Armstrong (Cassie), Angus Miller (Donnie) and Anneika Rose (Maggie Kean) are all returning. As is Julie Graham as Procutar Fiscal Rhona Kelly.

Guest stars include Shauna Macdonald (The Cry), Laurie Brett, Patrick Robinson (Death in Paradise), Andrew Whipp (Vera), Stuart McQuarrie (The Crown), Ladi Emeruwa (Humans), Lauren Conroy, Nick Nunn and Sorcha Groundsell.

The show is a Silverprint Pictures production, the producer is Louise V Say. Executive Producers are Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, Kate Bartlett and Denise Paul for Silverprint Pictures and David Kane.

Shetland returns this August to BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Series 8 will begin filming in the spring in the Shetland Isles and across Scotland.