The Shetland Islands Murders is a crime series where the rugged island landscapes create its quiet and mournful atmosphere.

The BBC, exuding harsh melancholy The Shetland Islands Murders started in 2013, and it’s been done for nine seasons, so there’s been enough of a treat.

The series appeals in many ways. The rugged landscapes of the remote island group belonging to Scotland, at the same time rugged and beautiful, windy beaches, gray clouds and dark stone houses create a quiet and sad atmosphere.

It’s no wonder that fans of the series have started to flow to the island in recent years. Made in Scotland according to the study 42 percent of holidaymakers say that they got inspiration to travel to Shetland from TV shows that show it. No less than 92 percent of them mentioned the root as their inspiration The Shetland Islands Murders (eng. Shetland).

Landscapes in addition, the series appeals to its central character, Douglas Henshallin played by Jimmy Perez, a sympathetic and serious criminal investigator. How refreshing it is to see, for a change, a character who does not have a substance abuse problem, who is cooperative, socially capable, empathetic and has a strong sense of morality as the protagonist of a crime series.

Of course, he also has wounds in his soul, which of us doesn’t. Perez is a widowed father of an adult girl who is still grieving the death of his wife, does not dare to fall in love again and therefore immerses himself in his work with such intensity that it is transmitted even to the sofa at home.

Although the events of the series take place on a remote island, it is still not so far that organized crime reaches there as well. Ann Clevesin as the series based on the books progresses, more and more sinister things happen.

Still, it’s not full of spectacular murders, which is refreshing, downright nerve-wracking Kastanjamiehen, Harry Holen and in the avalanche of many other crime series dealing with ritual murders in recent years. Sometimes it’s really funny how carelessly the police often go to meet suspected murderers alone and without a weapon.

Douglas Henshall was in the series for seven seasons, after which he was replaced by an actor Ashley Jensen. Perez’s return to the series has been rumored for a long time, but according to Henshall, his story in the series came to an end.

If you missed the latest, or ninth, season on Yle last fall, it will be available on Britbox in mid-June, where all previous seasons of the series can also be seen.

By the way, you can find another high-quality British police series there Line of Dutywhich I also discovered only this spring, even though the first season came out already in 2012 and the latest in 2021. It tells about the activities of an anti-corruption police unit and has a completely different atmosphere than the island series: cynical and dark.

A really addictive and heart-pounding series, and what’s best, a sequel is coming, because it’s the seventh season is currently being done!

This series I found on the train is suddenly relevant again. So there’s no point in stressing if you don’t have time to get on board with all the new serials right away.

Murders in the Shetland Islands 17.6. and Line of Duty, Britbox and Ruutu+.

HS and Ruutu+ belong to the Sanoma Group.