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Shetland cast: Who stars in season 11 of the BBC crime drama?
Your essential guide to the cast of Shetland.
BBC/Silverprint Films/Anne Binckebanck
- Abby Robinson
Published: Thursday, 12 November 2026 at 7:00 pm
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Shetland returns to screens for season 11, which also marks the final appearance of Alison O'Donnell as DI Alison "Tosh" McIntosh, who leaves after more than a decade on the show.
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"On my final day, a lot of crew came dressed as Tosh," said O'Donnell. "They were all wearing fair isle jumpers and had their hair up in a bun. It was so fun and thoughtful.
"Our producer Angus [Sharpe] made a speech after we wrapped my final scene but sadly I can't really remember what he said because I was crying, it just came over me. It just felt so overwhelming. I think it's going to take me years to fully process it."
Ashley Jensen returns as DI Ruth Calder, leading the island's investigators alongside Tosh, DC Sandy Wilson and the wider Lerwick team.
The central case picks up when a car is pulled from the water with a man's skeletal remains in its boot, belonging to local GP Dr Raymond Linden, who vanished nine years earlier.
A line-up of guest stars including Gregor Fisher, Stella Gonet and Christine Bottomley joins the regular ensemble for the new run.
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Below is a full guide to the actors and characters appearing in the latest season.
Shetland season 11 cast
- Alison O'Donnell as DI Alison "Tosh" McIntosh
- Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder
- Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson
- Samuel Anderson as Matt Blake
- Lewis Howden as Billy McCabe
- Anne Kidd as Cora McLean
- Angus Miller plays Donnie Russell
- Conor McCarry as PC Alex Grant
- Eubha Akilade as PC Lorna Burns
- Gregor Fisher as Donald Pierce
- Stella Gonet as Martha Linden
- John Wark as Eric Linden
- Christine Bottomley as Emily Linden
- Jude Bain as Jonah Linden
- Kevin Harvey as Graeme Gould
- Beth Marshall as Nora Shand
- Gavin Mitchell as Murray Ross
- Robin Weaver as Sandra Ross
For more information about the characters and where you've seen the cast before, read on.
Alison O'Donnell as DI Alison "Tosh" McIntosh
Alison O'Donnell as DI Alison "Tosh" McIntosh. BBC/Silverprint Films/Anne Binckebanck
About the character: Tosh has been part of the Shetland team since the show's early seasons, and season 11 is O'Donnell's final run in the role. Her exit storyline is kept tightly under wraps, but it unfolds against the fallout from the previous season, when she learned her colleague Billy McCabe had taken bribes, straining their relationship.
Where you've seen Alison O'Donnell before: O'Donnell has played Tosh since Shetland began, and has described leaving after 14 years with the show as a decision that will "take years to process". Her other screen and stage work spans Irish and British drama, and she has become one of the series' most recognisable faces across its run.
Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder
Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder. BBC/Silverprint Films/Anne Binckebanck
About the character: Jensen plays DI Ruth Calder, the lead detective who arrived in Shetland having originally come from the islands before building a career in London. She heads the investigation into the skeletal remains recovered from a submerged car, a case that reaches back nearly a decade.
Where you've seen Ashley Jensen before: Jensen is a BAFTA-nominated Scottish actor best known for Extras, in which she starred opposite Ricky Gervais, and the US comedy Ugly Betty. Her other credits include Agatha Raisin, Catastrophe and After Life. She took over as the lead of Shetland from season 8, following Douglas Henshall's departure as DI Jimmy Perez.
Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson
Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson. BBC/Silverprint Films/Anne Binckebanck
About the character: Robertson returns as DC Sandy Wilson, a long-serving member of the Lerwick team and one of the show's original regular characters, supporting Calder and Tosh on the central investigation.
Where you've seen Steven Robertson before: A Shetland native, Robertson has appeared in Shetland since its first season. His wider credits include the film Inside I'm Dancing (Rory O'Shea Was Here) and numerous British television dramas.
Samuel Anderson as Matt Blake
Samuel Anderson as Matt Blake. BBC/Silverprint Films/Anne Binckebanck
About the character: Anderson plays Procurator Fiscal Matt Blake, the legal figure working alongside the police team.
Where you've seen Samuel Anderson before: Anderson is known for playing Danny Pink in Doctor Who, and has also appeared in The History Boys, Amandaland, Emmerdale and Gentleman Jack.
Lewis Howden plays Billy McCabe
Lewis Howden plays Billy McCabe. BBC/Silverprint Films/Anne Binckebanck
About the character: Billy was a police sergeant, but he has been demoted to constable following the events of last season when missteps he made at the start of his career were brought to light. In season 11, his relationship with Tosh is incredibly strained.
Where you've seen Lewis Howden before: Although he is better known for his stage work, Howden has a collection of TV credits including Hope Springs, Taggart and Monarch of the Glen.
Anne Kidd plays Cora
Anne Kidd plays Cora. BBC/Silverprint Films/Anne Binckebanck
About the character: Cora is Shetland's long-serving forensic pathologist. Her attention to detail is impeccable.
Where you've seen Anne Kidd before: Her credits include Outlander and One of Us.
Angus Miller plays Donnie Russell
Angus Miller plays Donnie Russell. BBC/Silverprint Films/Anne Binckebanck
About the character: Donnie Russell is Tosh's partner. They share a daughter, Louise.
Where you've seen Angus Miller before: Miller appeared in the TV series Teacup Travels. He is more often seen on stage in Scotland (Let the Right One In, Trainspotting, The Belle's Stratagem).
Conor McCarry plays Alex Grant
Conor McCarry as PC Alex Grant. BBC/Silverprint Films/Jamie Simpson
About the character: Alex Grant is a police constable.
Where you've seen Conor McCarry before: His CV includes The Loch, Outlander and Time.
Eubha Akilade plays Lorna Burns
Shetland. BBC/Silverprint Films/Jamie Simpson
About the character: Lorna Burns is a police constable.
Where you've seen Eubha Akilade before: You might recognise her from Find Me in Paris, Eve and The Diplomat.
Steven Miller plays Alan Calder
Steven Miller plays Alan Calder. ITV Studios/Robert Pereira Hind
About the character: Alan Calder is Ruth's brother and a reverend. He's currently living with her and is going through some health issues, which he's reticent to talk about.
Where you've seen Steven Miller before: You might know him from Casualty and Payback.
Shetland season 11 guest cast
- Gregor Fisher (Rab C Nesbitt) as Donald Pierce - he lives in the croft opposite the pier.
- Stella Gonet (The House of Eliott) as Martha Linden - her son Raymond disappeared back in 2017.
- John Wark (Lockerbie: A Search for Truth) as Eric Linden - Martha's other son.
- Christine Bottomley (The End of the F***ing World) as Emily Linden - Raymond's ex-wife. They share a son.
- Jude Bain as Jonah Linden - Emily and Raymond's teenage son.
- Kevin Harvey (This City Is Ours) as Graeme Gould - a doctor who worked with Raymond.
- Beth Marshall (The Bombing of Pan Am 103) as Nora Shand - the receptionist at the GP surgery.
- Gavin Mitchell (Still Game) as Murray Ross - he runs a waste management plant.
- Robin Weaver (The Inbetweeners) as Sandra Ross - Murray's wife.
Shetland is on BBC One and available to stream on BBC iPlayer from Thursday 12 November 2026.
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Authors
Abby RobinsonDrama Editor
Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.
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