They Think They Know the Islands… But Season 10 of Shetland Is Back With Dark Secrets, Twisted Alliances, Haunting Mysteries, and a Gripping New Chapter That Will Shock Both Longtime Fans and Newcomers Alike

Shetland Season 10 Gets a Major Shake-Up After a Divisive Season 9

If you’re a fan of the sprawling, mist-shrouded mysteries of Shetland, then you’ll want to sit up for this: the BBC’s beloved crime drama is entering Season 10 with bold changes—changes that feel like a direct response to a Season 9 that left many viewers with mixed feelings.

What Went Wrong in Season 9

Season 9 had its moments of inventiveness and visual atmosphere, but critics and long-time fans alike flagged issues: pacing felt sluggish, some story arcs didn’t land, and the elevation of secondary subplots over character-driven tension tested viewer patience. A key complaint: the emotional stakes weren’t as intense as earlier seasons, and the “Shetland magic” of the isolated setting didn’t always feel fully captured. IMDb flagged the season as divisive, noting some viewers called it “the weakest in the run.”

 Big Updates for Season 10

The producers are clearly listening—and the overhaul is sizeable:

New casting: Samuel Anderson joins as procurator fiscal Matt Blake, injecting a fresh legal perspective into the investigations.

Fresh central mystery: The opening storyline centres on a retired social worker found dead in her remote village of Lunniswick. The threads of corruption, hidden cash and local betrayal promise to give the show a sharper edge.

Character dynamics shifted: Long-standing characters face new strains—loyalties will be tested, reputations questioned, and the “quiet life in the islands” veneer will crack. For example: a favourite officer may be embroiled in wrongdoing, a development that immediately raises the stakes.

Return to mood and momentum: Filming across the archipelago and renewed creative energy suggest a return to what made Shetland special—capturing the landscape, community tension, and moral ambiguity.

Why These Changes Matter

Responding to fan feedback: The show is acknowledging that Season 9 didn’t quite land for everyone—with visible efforts to return to strength.

Raising stakes, refining focus: By concentrating the mystery and shaking up character trust, Season 10 avoids the “drift” some felt last year and heads back to meaningful tension.

Maintaining what works: The remote, wild Shetland setting, the intertwined personal + professional drama, and its strong lead characters remain intact—but with renewed urgency.

Fresh entry point for new viewers: The new storyline and high-profile casting mean even those unfamiliar with earlier seasons can jump in without feeling lost.

How will the social-worker murder case unravel, and how deep will the corruption thread go?

Which longstanding character will face the biggest test of loyalty—and what will it mean for the community?

Will the show recapture the “island-as-character” feel that earlier seasons used so effectively?

How will the new procurator fiscal Matt Blake change the tone of investigations and bring new conflict?