The BBC has released the first trailer for the new series of hit crime drama Shetland, starring Ashley Jensen – making her series debut as Detective Inspector Ruth Calder - alongside Alison O’Donnell. The acclaimed series – made for the BBC by Silverprint Pictures (part of ITV Studios) - returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 1 November for a six week run.

Originally based on award-winning novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves, the new series sees Met Police Detective Inspector Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen), return to her native Shetland to retrieve the vulnerable witness to a gangland murder. Tosh (Alison O’Donnell) must pause her investigation into a string of mysterious animal deaths to help Calder find the witness before it’s too late.

However, Calder’s hostility to Shetland will challenge Tosh’s view of her adopted home, and their journey into the darker recesses of Shetland's past and present will test this fragile new partnership.

Joining the cast of Shetland for the eighth series are Phyllis Logan (Guilt, Downtown Abbey), Jamie Sives (Guilt, Annika), Dawn Steele (Holby City, Granite Harbour), Don Gilet (EastEnders, Sherwood), Ann Louise Ross (River City, Katie Morag) and Lorraine McIntosh (Outlander, My Name is Joe). The guest cast will star alongside series regulars including Steven Robertson (playing DC Sandy Wilson), Lewis Howden (Sgt Billy McCabe), Anne Kidd (Cora McLean), Angus Miller (Donnie), Conor McCarry (PC Alex Grant) and Eubha Akilade (PC Lorna Burns).

Shetland is loved by millions of fans on BBC One and iPlayer, with the last series averaging 7.2 million viewers across its run (30-day all-screens figure).

Paul Logue is the lead writer of the new series of Shetland, alongside Denise Paul and Vivienne Harvey. The series is produced by Louise V Say and directed by Andy Newbery and Giulia Gandini. Executive Producers are Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, Kate Bartlett and Denise Paul for Silverprint Pictures.