Shetland lost its way when Ashley Jensen took over - now it's back on form

Shetland stands as Britain's closest version of Scandi noir, featuring its barren landscapes, an abundance of coffee drinking, and cozy knitted sweaters. Although it has consistently ranked among the BBC's most beloved and widely exported crime series, the familiar pattern was shaken up last season when Ashley Jensen took over from Douglas Henshall, who had been a long-time lead actor, stepping into the role of Detective Inspector Ruth Calder.

Born in Shetland but having spent time with the Metropolitan Police, Jensen's new police officer brought a significant part of the big city back with her to the Scottish islands. As a result, the show lost some of its unique character and atmosphere, turning into a more generic crime drama – which isn’t great for a series that takes its name from its location.

There's a positive development – the latest ninth series seems to have found its rhythm again. It definitely has a more laid-back vibe, especially since we don't have to delve into Calder's past anymore. In fact, the show kicks off with a smart opening scene that provides a quick recap and updates on things.

In a heartfelt moment, Jensen’s character seemed to be opening up to someone we assumed was her therapist. She talked about her choice to return to Shetland for good and provided a quick overview of her family dynamics, mentioning her brother Alan, who is a priest in the area. However, it soon became clear that she wasn't talking to a therapist at all; instead, she was actually facing the wrong end of a shotgun that was nervously held by a troubled young man named Malcolm, who had just tragically taken his brother's life.

Calder's supervisor, DCI Alison "Tosh" McIntosh (played by Alison O’Donnell), stepped in to help her just before the main plot unfolded: the case of Tosh’s friend, Annie Bett, and her little boy, Noah, who had gone missing. Annie had recently separated from her husband, Ian, a real estate developer—a typical warning sign in crime dramas like this one. The two had been spotted having a heated argument at a party the night before her disappearance.

The two guest stars featured Vincent Regan from House of the Dragon, who plays a mussel farmer sheltering Annie and Noah since they left their family home, and Ian Hart from The Responder as Annie's former math tutor from Oxford. He had traveled to Shetland after getting a troubling message from Annie. Calder, quite understandably doubtful, asked, “You came all the way here, 750 miles, just because of a voicemail?”

Calder’s tough and serious attitude might have brought to mind Henshall and the late DI Jimmy Perez, who often had a cold demeanor. Her character created an interesting contrast with the more friendly and accommodating Tosh, who Calder pointed out, “You tend to be too complimentary towards others.”

In this installment, the other regular officers take a back seat – DC Sandy Wilson, portrayed by actual Shetlander Steven Robertson, handles much of the behind-the-scenes work, while the friendly Sergeant Billy McCabe, played by Lewis Howden, only shows up briefly. I find that a smaller cast of characters works better for me; in the previous series, I struggled to remember who's who.

By the end of the episode, three people had lost their lives, including Annie and a French man named Anton Bergen, alongside Malcolm's deceased brother. Did Annie and Anton share a romantic connection? What's happened to Annie’s husband Ian (played by Robert Jack), and why has her former math teacher from Oxford traveled such a distance? Answers are coming, but with five more episodes ahead, there's plenty of time to unravel these mysteries.

Shetland feels much more appealing this time, lacking the stylized gangster elements typical of Tarantino's films. With its expansive treeless landscapes, charming fishermen’s cottages, and even a lively ceilidh featuring kilts and traditional Highland dances, it appears to have recaptured the magic that initially drew us in.

The show 'Shetland' will be back next Wednesday at 9 PM on BBC One.