Shetland viewers beg BBC bosses to axe drama after ‘worst season so far’ and ‘underwhelming’ finale
SEETHING Shetland viewers have begged BBC bosses to axe the drama after branding it the ‘worst season so far’ and slating the ‘underwhelming’ finale.
Series nine revolved around DI Ruth Calder played by Ashley Jensen and DI “Tosh” McIntosh portrayed by Alison Calder – but viewers were unhappy with the finale.
They took to X, formerly Twitter to complain, with many feeling short-changed by the ending and the underwhelming characters.
One fan said: “It’s not exactly the most gripping series. And I don’t care about any of the characters. Bring back Jimmy and Duncan! #Shetland.
A second fumed: “I HATE it when the final episode has absolutely nothing to do with the previous eight episodes. This had better not be it.”
Another added: “Well that last episode of #Shetland has left me with more questions than answers. I feel like there should be another episode that ties up the loose ends.”
A furious fan concluded: “This really has been the worst season of #Shetland so far. The writing is poor, the acting worse, and it feels like the narrative has been strung out far longer than the story requires. Time to call it a day.”
The final episode revealed what really happened to Tosh’s friend Annie, and the real killer was revealed to be Noreen Stack.
The finale showed how she killed Annie in self-defence after she confronted her while covering up a rape committed by her husband, Michael.
Annie reached out for a gun, which went off accidentally, killing herself in the process.
Anton rushed towards the commotion and Noreen shot him dead.
The killer then covered her tracks by tossing the firearm into the sea and fled the murder scene.
Viewers thought it was unbelievable as Noreen left a frightened young Noah alone with his dead mother in the house.
But Noreen then calmly drove home with her baby Finn asleep in the vehicle.
Thankfully, justice was served and the killer was caught, but whether fans have an appetite for another series remains to be seen.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.