BBC Shetland Series - Ann Cleeves novels filmed in Shetland

Acclaimed Scots actor Douglas Henshall has been cast as the lead role in Shetland, a new two-part drama set in Scotland for BBC One, produced by ITV Studios through BBC Scotland, and written by David Kane, adapted from Ann Cleeves's books featuring Detective Jimmy Perez.

http://www.anncleeves.com/shetland/index.html

how can afilm based on shetland not feature shetland. what a pity i liked her booksbut not how she ended it.

I shall, perhaps, watch the drama (filmed from the third of four novels? Can the producers not count?) in order to see of it is portrayed better than the books, at least from a factual and procedural viewpoint.

 

I do hope it is better than the woeful, clichèd tripe that is "Vera"...

 

However, I do not understand the casting of Doug Henshall, decent actor though he may be, when the obvious choice (for me, at least) would be Shetland's own Steven Robertson. I might have thought some Shetlanders would take exception to a Glaswegian actor portraying one of their own. Or maybe I am being petty (as Watson is always alleging). I merely hope he does not try the accent...

 

But then, what would most of the UK know of the Shetland accent? To them, a Glaswegian is, likely, entirely acceptable, as we "all sound alike" north of Manchester.

 

Time will tell.

 

This detective shall watch and judge the results...

 

In the meantime, I remain,

 

Your humble servant.

 

Post Scriptum:

To those who would say Robertson is not well known enough to carry a new series, I would submit that neither was Idris Elba, prior to "Luther" (at least in this country, where he was very much a bit-part actor!) and Robertson stole every single second of screen time in those two episodes with a tour-de-force performance, filled with menace, while brilliantly nuanced and capable of conveying so much with so little.

how can afilm based on shetland not feature shetland. what a pity i liked her booksbut not how she ended it.

 

It is being filmed in Shetland.

 

@ Sherlock

 

It is indeed a pity Steven Robertson couldn't take the lead. He played Jimmy Perez in a Radio 4 adaption about a year ago.

i read the first book and thought it was ok

but i felt it was more a book aimed at teenagers

any-one else think like this?

i read a lot of Rankin, Kellerman(both hubby and wife)patterson,

jd robb ,kathy reichs etc

thats good then.

 

Post Scriptum:

To those who would say Robertson is not well known enough to carry a new series, I would submit that neither was Idris Elba, prior to "Luther" (at least in this country, where he was very much a bit-part actor!) and Robertson stole every single second of screen time in those two episodes with a tour-de-force performance, filled with menace, while brilliantly nuanced and capable of conveying so much with so little.

 

Idris Elba was certainly more than a bit part actor even in the UK before Luther, he'd come back from working in the US to do Luther and the BBC thought it was a bit of a coup getting him, so much so they marketed the show on the back of his popularity. I can see them doing the same thing with Dougie Henshall although maybe not to the same degree as Luther was pushed.

 

Do agree though that Steven Robertson would be a good choice but I can see why the BBC played it safe with Dougie Henshall. They'll probably re-write it so he's not from Shetland originally.

As a non-Shetlander who likes Shetland I enjoyed the Ann Cleeves novels, in particular because they take place in Shetland. I agree it's no Rankin but the plots are ok. Looking forward to the movie!

apparently there are another 4 perez books in the offing, wonder where they will be set though. the t.v drama is partly set in shetland,and features perez returning home after being away for quite some time

i read the first book and thought it was ok

but i felt it was more a book aimed at teenagers

any-one else think like this?

i read a lot of Rankin, Kellerman(both hubby and wife)patterson,

jd robb ,kathy reichs etc

I'm half way through the first one and thought the same. It's an easy read, not unenjoyable and I'll reserve judgement completely until I've finished it!

i read the first book and thought it was ok

but i felt it was more a book aimed at teenagers

any-one else think like this?

i read a lot of Rankin, Kellerman(both hubby and wife)patterson,

jd robb ,kathy reichs etc

I'm half way through the first one and thought the same. It's an easy read, not unenjoyable and I'll reserve judgement completely until I've finished it!

Well I am getting on a bit and still enjoyed the books so if it was aimed at teenagers it might have missed. All ages and indeed both genders I would have thought.

Master Johan,

 

I certainly do not mean to be contentious, however, other than two steady roles - one as the hard as nails DS in Ultraviolet (a series far ahead of its time, filled with talent but sadly canned and much missed, by me, at least) and the other a brief role as a scientist in "Dangerfield" - he had no real success in the UK, prior to his stage acting in the US, the reviews for which brought him to the attention of producers of "The Wire". At best, he was a "cult" actor in the UK, something which he has referred to himself in interview or appearances, with some derision and bitter humour at the fact he had to leave the UK to become successful here!

 

That aside, he is a good actor and I thoroughly enjoy "Luther", although Steven Robertson out-acted the entire cast, with his quiet intensity, in his dual villain role(s).

 

Your humble servant

They're saving on budget. Inverclyde is doubling for Shetland!

 

http://inverclydenow.com/news/local/7421-filming-in-inverclyde-for-shetland-crime-drama

 

PARTS of Inverclyde doubled for Shetland as filming for a major new crime drama got underway.

 

A film crew were in the area for a day this week using a quiet country road near Loch Thom and a school in Port Glasgow.

 

They were working on the two-part BBC drama Shetland which stars Scots actor Douglas Henshall as detective Jimmy Perez from the series of books by award-winning crime writer Ann Cleeves.

 

The BBC confirmed that two locations were used ahead of filming taking place in Shetland in July.

 

The production team were at the old Largs Road near Greenock on Tuesday filming internal shots of a character driving with the countryside in the background doubling for Shetland.

 

Lilybank School was also renamed Lerwick School for some footage.

 

Other mainland locations will be used in Irvine, Barrhead and Dalry.

 

^ It'll end up bein as Shetlandic as Irrrrnn Broooo at this rate.

Anybody being an extra? Are they seriously doing Up Helly Aa in July? Wish I was there, sounds bizarre and splendid.