Ashley Jensen nabs role as detective in Shetland who succeeds DI Jimmy Perez

The Scottish actress will take over from Douglas Henshall, 57, who has played troubled islands cop Jimmy Perez since the show began in 2013.

Jensen, 53, will star as Shetlander Det Insp Ruth Calder – back after 20 years working for the Met in London.

Show favourites Det Sgt Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh, played by Alison O’Donnell, and Det Con Sandy Wilson (Steven Robertson) will stay on.

Jensen – carer Emma opposite Ricky Gervais in After Life – said she was thrilled to be joining the new series.

‘It’s such a hugely successful show and I’m aware I have very big boots to fill since the departure of DI Perez, who was much loved by fans of the show.

‘There will be a different dynamic with Ruth among the regular characters and a few more new interesting characters to enjoy.

‘However, the integrity of the show and the world that has been created will remain very much in the same tone. It’s a real privilege to be asked to lead this show into a new chapter. I can’t wait to be working in Scotland again. I’ve missed it.’

Jensen found fame playing Christina McKinney in US series Ugly Betty and was Emmy-nominated for her role in TV sitcom Extras, co-written by Gervais.

Regulars Lewis Howden, who plays Billy McCabe, and Anne Kidd as Cora McLean will also return.

Henshall quit the show – adapted from Ann Cleeves’ novels – after seven series saying: ‘I decided to leave a few years ago because I felt that Perez’s story was coming to a natural end.’

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