Shetland

Acclaimed murder-mystery series Shetland returns for a new thrilling six-part tale, which sees Perez deal with murders from the past and present - which have unsettling similarities.

When Shetlander Thomas Malone has his murder conviction overturned after 23 years, which he's spent behind bars, Perez has to reopen the investigation into the 1993 death of local teenager Lizzie Kilmuir.

While Tosh and Sandy delve into the past, Perez talks to retired detective Drew McColl about the historic case. Drew was the officer who convicted Malone and remains convinced he’s guilty, despite DNA evidence to the contrary. However, when Perez listens to the interview tapes from Malone’s arrest he doubts the veracity of his confession.

Sandy is tasked with telling Kate Kilmuir, Lizzie’s twin sister, that the murder case is being reopened. Although understandably anxious, Kate seems sympathetic about Malone’s release, hinting that she too had doubts.

With many islanders still believing he’s guilty, suspicion surrounds Malone as he returns to Shetland. Meanwhile, Drew’s daughter, local journalist Sally McColl, goes to a folk festival with her boyfriend Alan Killick and her flatmate Jo Halley, and is later seen arguing with a mysterious stranger.

The next morning, Drew reports Sally missing and her body is discovered a short time later. The nature of her murder has striking similarities to the Kilmuir case, putting Malone firmly in the frame. Everything points to Malone having murdered again, but he swears his innocence. As pressure mounts on Perez, he must look beyond the gossip and prejudice to get to the truth.

Perez is played by Douglas Henshall, Thomas Malone by Stephen Walters, Tosh by Alison O’Donnell, Sandy by Steven Robertson, Drew McColl by Sean McGinley, Sally McColl by Amy Lennox, Alan Killick by Gerard Miller, Jo Halley by Sophie Stone, Kate Kilmuir by Neve McIntosh. Also starring Mark Bonnar as Duncan, Erin Armstrong as Cassie, Julie Graham as Rhona.

A Silverprint Pictures production for BBC One through BBC Scotland, Shetland is based on the award-winning novels by writer Ann Cleeves.

Publicity contact: KM/JW4