Shetland fans were left disappointed during the first episode of the new series last night as they begged for Douglas Henshall’s return.
Henshall portrayed DI Jimmy Perez from 2013 to 2022 and left fans devastated when he revealed he was walking away from the show.
His character rode off into the sunset with his partner Meg, played by Lucianne McEvoy, after a life of solving unimaginable crimes.
Announcing his departure from the show, Henshall penned on his social media: "It's been one of the privileges of my career to play Jimmy Perez for almost 10 years and to work with so many wonderful people both in front of and behind the camera and also to spend so much time in Shetland.
"The isles were so much a part of our show and of Perez himself. I'll miss him and the place."
Alison O’Donnell’s character Alison 'Tosh' McIntosh was recently promoted to Perez’s position and debuted her new role last night for the first episode of season nine.
Douglas Henshall left the series back in 2022
BBC
The synopsis for the episode read: "When Tosh's friend Annie and her nine-year-old son Noah don't make it home one night, Tosh persuades DI Calder - now a resident of the Isles - that something is wrong. Ruth tries to talk down a jittery young man holding a shotgun over his brother's dead body."
Viewers were excited to tune in to the latest instalment of the BBC crime drama but were quickly left taking to their X accounts to issue the same complaint.
One sad fan penned: "Bring back Douglas Henshall just not the same without him #Shetland."
"Thought the Douglas Henshall was a better lead detective. The last storyline was a bit far-fetched, but willing to give it another go. #shetland," another added.
Detective Inspector Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh at the helm after replacing Jimmy Perez
BBC
A third noted: "#Shetland should have ended when Jimmy Perez played by Douglas Henshall left, last series really not as good.
"Need funding for fresh ideas not keep ones that can easily end going on for no reason and too many spin-offs of death in paradise getting focus. Give new writers a chance."
Someone else agreed: "Watching reruns of #Shetland only highlights how brilliant it was with Douglas Henshall.
"This new series is nothing like the Shetland I love. They should have called it Islands or something."
However, not all viewers were left disappointed with the new series, as one praised: "#Shetland Great start. I love how the stories always begin quietly and then take you along roads you didn't know were there, over obstacles you never saw coming... It's good to be back on Shetland with @AtotheOD and the crew."
Another excitedly said: "Thoroughly enjoyed the return of Shetland #Shetland." (sic)
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Fans have begged for Douglas Henshall to return
BBC
In a conversation with the BBC about his departure back in 2022, Henshall shared: "It was time to find a resolution to Perez's private life.
"I never wanted to ruin the things that were unique to him and our series so it felt like the right time to wrap up his story in a way that would be satisfactory to everybody.
"I am aware we're not changing the world in any way, shape or form but as far as crime shows go, Shetland does really well in that genre.
"We tell stories that are very good, the characters are great and I wanted to go out on a high."
