Shetland season 10 cast: Meet the new and returning characters

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It’s been roughly a year since viewers last saw detectives Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) and Tosh McIntosh (Alison O’Donnell) in Shetland’s ninth season, and now the popular duo are returning for a tenth season that everyone’s been waiting for.

Detectives are now investigating the unsettling murder of Eadie Tulloch, a retired social worker, which took place in a secluded village.

As the investigation gets underway, surprising secrets from the past start to emerge, creating unforeseen problems for everyone involved, even the team.

Tosh increasingly takes charge and becomes more assertive throughout the season, confidently dictating how things will proceed. Meanwhile, we also see a softer, more caring side to Calder’s personality.

The show stars Jensen and O’Donnell, along with returning cast members Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson, Lewis Howden as Sgt Billy McCabe, and Anne Kidd as pathologist Cora McLean. New to the series are Saskia Ashdown, Lila Rose, Joanne Thomson, Gabriel Akuwudike, Leigh Biagi, and Samuel Anderson.

Who stars in Shetland season 10? Here’s a guide to the main cast and the new guest actors joining the show.

Who’s in the cast of Shetland season 10?

  • Alison O’Donnell as Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh
  • Ashley Jensen as Ruth Calder
  • Steven Robertson as Sandy Wilson
  • Lewis Howden as Billy McCabe
  • Angus Miller as Donnie
  • Steven Miller as Alan Calder
  • Anne Kidd as Cora McLean
  • Conor McCarry as Alex Grant
  • Eubha Akilade as Lorna Burns

As a huge fan of Shetland, I’ve been looking into the characters in the new season 10, and thought I’d share where you might recognize the actors from. It’s always fun spotting familiar faces, isn’t it?

Alison O’Donnell plays Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh

Alison McIntosh, known as ‘Tosh,’ is now fully comfortable as a Detective Inspector at the beginning of this series. After some personal growth in the previous season – realizing which relationships were no longer healthy – she’s dedicated to her work and prioritizing what’s most important in her life, according to O’Donnell.

Her connection with Calder is growing stronger, and they’ve established a solid way of working together.

Alison O’Donnell is best known for her role in Shetland, which is her biggest television part yet. Before playing Tosh, she primarily worked as a stage actress, appearing in productions like Boys, The Hard Man, and Yerma.

Ashley Jensen plays Ruth Calder

Ruth Calder is a detective inspector who returned to her hometown of Shetland after leaving London to live and work there permanently.

According to Jensen, she’s adjusted well to life and her new job at the police station in Shetland. She’s unpacked and become part of the community, though she’ll always be uniquely Ruth Calder.

She’s tried online dating recently, but she’s genuinely content being single. Calder doesn’t feel she needs a partner.

You might recognize Ashley Jensen from shows like After Life, Catastrophe, Ugly Betty, Agatha Raisin, and Extras. She’s known for her roles in these popular comedies and dramas.

Steven Robertson plays Sandy Wilson

Sandy Wilson is a committed detective constable. He’s a valuable part of the team because he knows the local area and its people very well.

According to an official summary, Sandy is extremely busy this season. He’s juggling an ongoing drug investigation from the start of the series with a new murder case – the death of Eadie Tulloch – meaning he’s working on two major investigations simultaneously.

Lerwick is facing a shortage of resources, but the biggest challenge is the emotional toll on Billy, an old friend of the person who was murdered.

Steven Robertson is a Scottish actor, originally from Lerwick in the Shetland Islands. He’s known for his roles in shows like Harlots, Doctor Who, and Being Human. He even played DI Jimmy Perez in a radio version of Shetland.

Lewis Howden plays Billy McCabe

Who is Billy McCabe? A reliable and experienced police sergeant.

According to Robertson, the plot is particularly compelling and creates significant challenges for Tosh and Billy in their relationship.

We need to investigate Billy’s past to understand his connection to the Eadie Tulloch case. He’s normally the most reliable member of the team, but this situation is different for all of us.

While Lewis Howden is most famous for his theater performances, he’s also appeared on television in shows like Hope Springs, Taggart, and Monarch of the Glen.

Anne Kidd plays Cora

Who is Cora? A forensic pathologist. Cora’s attention to detail is second to none.

What else has Anne Kidd been in? Her credits include Outlander and One of Us.

Angus Miller plays Donnie Russell

Who is Donnie Russell? Tosh’s partner and the father of her child.

Besides his current role, Angus Miller has also appeared in the TV series Teacup Travels. He frequently performs on stage in Scotland, with credits including Let the Right One In, Trainspotting, and The Belle’s Stratagem.

Conor McCarry plays Alex Grant

Who is Alex Grant? A police constable.

What else has Conor McCarry been in? His CV includes The Loch, Outlander and Time.

Eubha Akilade plays Lorna Burns

Who is Lorna Burns? Another police constable.

What else has been in? You might recognise her from Find Me in Paris, Eve and The Diplomat.

Steven Miller plays Alan Calder

Who is Alan Calder? A reverend and Ruth’s brother.

It’s really heartwarming to see them reconnect after so long. They’ve developed this sweet big sister-little brother dynamic, and honestly, it’s just a really nice thing to watch unfold.

What else has Steven Miller been in? You might know him from Casualty and Payback.

Samuel Anderson plays Matt Blake

Who is Matt Blake? The new Procurator Fiscal.

What else has Samuel Anderson been in? You might have watched him in Amandaland and Back to Black.

Shetland season 10 guest stars

  • Maria MacDonell as Eadie Tulloch – a retired social worker whose body is found in her garden.
  • Adam Rhazali as Will Louden – a local drug dealer who’s sat in a car with Calder and Tosh at the beginning of season 10.
  • Ian Bustard (Six Four) as Jacob Baker – a fisherman. His vessel is raided by the police.
  • Greg McHugh (Fresh Meat, Gary Tank Commander, The A Word) as Colin Waite – a neighbour of Eadie’s, from the other side of the village. He checks up on her every now and again, and is the one who finds her body.
  • Niall MacGregor (Line of Duty) as Tom Jameson – his house is just a stone’s throw from Colin’s.
  • Louise Brealey (Sherlock, Such Brave Girls) as Isobel Jameson – Tom’s wife. She’s known Eadie her whole life.
  • Lila Rose (Talk to Me) as Jess Jameson – Isobel and Tom’s daughter. She’s pregnant.
  • Ellie Haddington (Motherland) as Lana Mair – Isobel’s mum. She has dementia.
  • Clive Russell (Game of Thrones) as Arthur Mair – possibly Lana’s husband, but it’s not yet clear.
  • Stephen McMillan (Toxic Town, Boiling Point) as David Powell – another of Eadie’s neighbours. He’s not long been released from prison.
  • Frances Grey (Home Fires, Vanity Fair) as Gina Powell – David’s mum. She’s very protective of her son.
  • Saskia Ashdown (Karen Pirie, Six Four) as Hayley Burnett – she’s staying in a local holiday rental with her family.
  • Gabriel Akuwudike (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Hanna) as Chris Burnett – Hayley’s husband.
  • Havana Mia Ibar Duncan as Chloe Burnett – Hayley and Chris’s young daughter.
  • Stuart Townsend (Betrayal, Night Stalker) as Ed Tulloch – Eadie’s estranged son.

You can watch the tenth season of Shetland on Wednesdays at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. All previous seasons, one through nine, are currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer. If you enjoy the show, the original Shetland novels by Ann Cleeves are also available for purchase.

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2025-11-12 18:36