'Phone sex, drug raids and alfresco corpses. It’s all go in Shetland'

Phone sex, drug raids and alfresco corpses. It’s all go in Shetland

Alison Rowat reviews the week's television

Alison Rowat surveys the highs and lows of the week’s television, featuring the return of Shetland, a new documentary about Celtic and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, the Bake Off finale, and The Troops.

Goodbye and hello on BBC One

Farewell to Celebrity Traitors (BBC One, Thursday) and greetings to Celebrity Race Across the World (BBC One, Thursday). It almost feels as if the BBC is following a one-in, one-out rule. While Celebrity Traitors at least featured recognizable faces, the new show leaves viewers wondering, “Who’s she? Dylan who?”

The enduring strength of Shetland

No such confusion with the ever-reliable Shetland (BBC One, Wednesday). As the 10th season opened, detectives Tosh and Calder (Alison O’Donnell and Ashley Jensen) were ready to intercept a fishing boat allegedly carrying drugs. No sooner had they dealt with that crisis when another call came in: a dead body had been found in the quiet village of Lunnswick.

A grim discovery

The victim, retired social worker Eadie Tulloch, had been tethered to a post outside her home for several days. Strangely, the house showed no signs of disturbance. Calder observed:

“It was as if she was led out meekly, like an animal to slaughter.”

Adding to the intrigue is the arrival of the new fiscal, Matt (Samuel Anderson), an ambitious newcomer whose admission about difficulties maintaining a long-distance relationship hints at personal turmoil behind his confident exterior.

Author’s summary

A shrewd and atmospheric review capturing a week of British television, where familiar faces, dark storylines, and shifting realities intertwine on screen.

The Herald — 2025-11-09