Shetland kicked off its fifth series this week with a gruesome murder… And fans were thrilled to have Detective Inspector Perez back on our screens.
Whether you tune in for the stunningly windswept landscape, the immensely likeable DI Jimmy Perez – secret crush, or just us? – or the whodunit of a TV mystery, the vote is unanimous – you LOVE it.
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The series opener on Tuesday (12 February), the first of six episodes, began with a severed arm being washed ashore on the beach – with more dismembered body parts to follow.
But why was a young Nigerian man murdered? And by whom?
World-weary Jimmy (Douglas Henshall) starts to investigate the crime, alongside sidekick Tosh (Alison O’Donnell), and they quickly realise there is a link to the local fish factory.
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Using CCTV to trace the victim’s last movements, and after scrutinising his emails and social media accounts, the case took an even more sinister turn when it appeared that the victim’s sister is also in danger.
And next week, there are even more dead bodies discovered…
Despite the grim nature of the plot, and the grisly body count, fans were happy to have Perez and co back on the BBC and the show was even trending on Twitter!
One said: #shetland on @BBCOne has always been brilliant but this opener for the new series was beautifully bleak. Hats off @djhenshall @RakieAyola and of course this week’s @TwoShotPod guest @realjuliegraham.”
Another enthused: “Fave programme of the year. Shetland – would live there in a heartbeat despite all the murders. #Shetland.”
A third wrote: “I adore the steely tenacity and bittersweet empathy of @djhenshall’s Jimmy Perez. I adore the whole cast, especially @AtotheOD and @RakieAyola. I adored @davykane’s script. I just plain adore #Shetland @BBCScotland @BBCOne.”
“Loved that! Totally hooked. #Shetland,” said another.
#Shetland So glad Shetland is back on the telly. Great stories, brilliant characters and lovely scenery.
— Simon Martin #FBPE (@Cromwell42) February 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/joy9kat/status/1095442237603938307
#Shetland That is all. Oh…and #douglashenshall
— Jacky Pankhurst (@JackyP599) February 12, 2019
#shetland on @BBCOne has always been brilliant but this opener for the new series was beautifully bleak.
Hats off @djhenshall @RakieAyola and of course this weeks @TwoShotPod guest @realjuliegraham.— Craig Parkinson (@Cparks1976) February 12, 2019
Fave programme of the year. Shetland – would live there in a heartbeat despite all the murders. #Shetland
— Dominic Rothwell (@dominic4346) February 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/alan_crichton/status/1095410700204290054
https://twitter.com/SharmL/status/1095445025104773120
Some fans were distracted from the plot by actor Douglas Henshall, with one gushing: “#Shetland Douglas Henshall gets better looking every series.”
Another said: “I [bleep] love Perez.”
A third love-struck viewer added: “D.I. Perez’ eyes are as blue as the Scottish skies on a clear winter’s day! #Shetland @djhenshall.”
https://twitter.com/googlyeyecat/status/1095442819106377728
https://twitter.com/jkr212/status/1095438403838062596
https://twitter.com/AnnetteGillen1/status/1095439661357584384
New series of #shetland kicking off. Hello Jimmy Perez, it's been too long 😍
— Laura MacDougall (@xxlaura1406xx) February 12, 2019
D.I. Perez’ eyes are as blue as the Scottish skies on a clear winter’s day! #Shetland @djhenshall
— Deirdre (@DearDeir) February 12, 2019
TV fans will know that actor Douglas was actually born in Glasgow, and starred in Primeval before being signed up as DI Perez in 2013.
While Perez is very much single, Douglas married Croatian writer Tena Štivičić in Las Vegas in February 2010, and they have one daughter together.
Shetland is based on the crime novels by Ann Cleeves.
Do you watch and enjoy Shetland? Why? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!