Shetland: the wind-swept Scottish crime drama returns for a fourth series

Shetland - the Scottish TV crime thriller set on the remote isles of the title - returns to BBC Four for its fourth series next week. Starring Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Perez, and largely based on the novels by Ann Cleeves, Shetland has won over fans in its previous three series with an astute balance of likeable characters, engaging suspense and strong drama. Not to mention the stunning, wind-swept scenery. Rumour, gossip - and new faces Series 4 sees Shetlander Thomas Malone have his murder conviction overturned after 23 years spent behind bars. For Perez, this means reopening the investigation into the 1994 death of local teenager Lizzie Kilmuir. Things get more complicated when a local journalist is found dead. Worryingly, the methods used to dispatch them are similar to the original crime. Malone finds himself under suspicion once more. And in the small, tight-knit community of the Shetlands, rumour and hearsay are rife. Perez will need to put any prejudices to one side to find the truth. Shetland returns for a fourth series of isolated crime next week (Photo: BBC) The core cast are all returning alongside a batch of new faces, including Stephen Walters as Malone, a face that Outlander fans will be more than familiar with. Doctor Who's Neve McIntosh and Gangs of New York's Sean McGinley also join the cast, as well as Gerard Miller (River City), Allison McKenzie (Line of Duty) and Michael Moreland (Filth). A 'loyal following' Series 4 - like the third season before it - departs from Cleeves' novels, presenting an original story. David Kane returns as screenwriter for the latest six-hour crime story. Gaynor Holmes, BBC Scotland’s Executive Producer, said: "Shetland has a loyal following, and we’re sure they will be thrilled with the surprises we’ve got for them this time around." 2016's third series attracted a consolidated audience - including those who watched on BBC iPlayer - of 5.8 million viewers. Series 4 of Shetland begins on BBC One on Tuesday February 13 at 9pm Have your say on the latest TV with Screen Babble, the television discussion group on Facebook.