Shetland fans will be happy to hear the crime drama is returning for an eleventh season later this year, but the news comes with a sad note: Alison O’Donnell, who plays Tosh, is leaving the show after this season.
After 13 years on the show, a long-time cast member – who has been with the series as long as Steven Robertson – is leaving to pursue other acting roles.
After Douglas Henshall left the show in 2022, people began to wonder how long Kelly O’Donnell would continue in her role. O’Donnell later admitted to TopMob that she didn’t want to remain on the show for too long.
She explained that she was always watching for the right time to stop. She’d love to finish at the peak of her success, rather than risk a decline afterward.
And it seems that moment has finally come.
O’Donnell shared a heartfelt statement, saying that playing Tosh was a dream role and a wonderful experience, and also expressed gratitude to the show’s dedicated fans.
It’s been incredibly rewarding to fully inhabit this character, watch her develop over time, and be consistently inspired by the quality of the writing and stories she’s involved in. It’s been a truly special experience.
We’re incredibly grateful for the amazing support and loyalty of our audience – it’s meant the world to us. I also feel very fortunate to have collaborated with so many gifted and talented people, both in front of and behind the camera.
O’Donnell explained that her time working in Shetland was incredibly formative for her career, and she also expressed her gratitude for everything the islands have provided her.
This job has been a huge part of my life and has really defined me, both as an actor and as someone who works with others. It feels deeply ingrained in who I am, and the islands where we work have become like a second home to my family and me.
Leaving Shetland won’t be simple, but I’m looking forward to what’s ahead. I’m excited about new experiences and taking all the valuable lessons and cherished memories I’ve made here with me as I move on to the next chapter.
Gaynor Holmes, an executive producer at BBC Drama, praised O’Donnell, saying she was wonderful to work with and had brilliantly portrayed the character of Tosh over the years.
Alison O’Donnell brings a wonderful warmth to her role, and we’re committed to giving her character, Tosh, a proper send-off. Kate Bartlett, the executive producer at Silverprint Pictures, also shared that it’s been a joy to work with Alison and witness her consistently impressive and developing performances throughout the series of Shetland.
Details about Tosh’s departure aren’t being released, but her last scenes will be part of a dramatic season centered around a decades-old murder with lasting consequences for everyone involved.
A shocking discovery is made when a car is recovered from the water: the skeletal remains of an unidentified man are found in the trunk. The investigation begins with trying to identify the victim, which leads the team to search for the car’s owner – a well-known doctor who mysteriously left the area nine years prior amid unsettling rumors.
As Calder and Tosh investigate the GP’s motivations and the impact his death had on his family and friends, they find themselves facing increasingly difficult and risky situations in their search for answers.
Ashley Jensen will be joining Nicola Walker for her last time playing DCI Cassie Stuart. Jensen first appeared as DI Ruth Calder in 2023, after the departure of previous cast member, Henshall, who had been with the show for seven seasons.
After Perez left the show, I honestly didn’t think it could continue,” O’Donnell explained to TopMob. “It seemed impossible at the time, but we proved it wasn’t.
It’s still uncertain whether the show will continue past its eleventh season, which will be the first one without O’Donnell’s involvement.
She previously explained to TopMob that even if she decided to leave, the work would likely continue without her.
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No matter what the future holds, the farewell to O’Donnell promises to be emotional, with many beloved cast members present. These include Martin Robertson, Lewis Howden (who played Sergeant Billy McCabe), Anne Kidd (pathologist Cora McLean), Samuel Anderson (Procurator Fiscal Matt Blake), Steven Miller (Rev Alan Calder), Conor McCarry (PC Alex Grant), Eubha Akilade (PC Lorna Burns), and Angus Miller, who played Tosh’s partner Donnie and may also be leaving the show with her.
The show will also feature appearances by Christine Bottomley, known for her role in ‘Sherwood’; Kevin Harvey from ‘This City Is Ours’; Stella Gonet of ‘Holby City’; Gavin Mitchell, who starred in ‘Crime’; Charlene Boyd from ‘Summerwater’; and Gregor Fisher, famous for ‘Love Actually’.
You can watch seasons 1 through 10 of Shetland on BBC iPlayer. The Shetland novels by Ann Cleeves are also available for purchase.
Don’t miss out on Shetland! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV suggestions, exclusive content, and more.
Authors
Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor at TopMob, where she writes about TV dramas and comedies. Before joining TopMob, she was a TV writer for Digital Spy and a content writer for Mumsnet. She holds a degree and a postgraduate diploma in English Studies.
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2026-06-12 14:05