Douglas Henshall, Alison O’Donnell and Steven Robertson star as the main local detectives, with guest appearances from familiar faces like Brian Cox, Ciaran Hinds, Gemma Chan and Archie Panjabi.
Based on the mystery novels by Ann Cleeves (who also wrote the novels “Vera” is based on,) this six season series has a strong sense of place due to its setting on the remote Scottish islands. Douglas Henshall, Alison O’Donnell and Steven Robertson star as the main local detectives, with guest appearances from familiar faces like Brian Cox, Ciaran Hinds, Gemma Chan and Archie Panjabi. The activities of the close-knit families of the rustic, wind-swept Shetland Islands and the tourists, scientists and archeologists who cross their paths makes for plenty of grisly happenings and most likely, a far bigger body count than is actually occurring in the tranquil Scottish countryside. You’ll want to keep a wee dram of Scotch and a cozy wool tartan blanket on hand to watch this series.