Shetland series 11: Guest cast led by stars of This City is Ours, Sherwood, and Holby City
Ashley Jensen reunites with a comedy legend
Shetland is back on our screens with series 11, a brilliant new mystery, and a fantastic bunch of famous faces in the cast.
Although it will be Alison O’Donnell’s last ever series as DS Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh, there are still plenty of reasons to be cheerful. The show’s stalwart characters Sandy and Billy aren’t going anywhere, and DI Ruth Calder will continue busting balls in future series.
There’s also a great guest cast joining series 11 of the hit detective show. This year, the murder-mystery centres on a historic murder, which will forever change the lives of those connected in the present day.
The team makes a grim discovery when a car is dredged from the water and skeletal remains of an unknown male are found in the boot. The car belongs to Dr Raymond Linden, a respected local GP who fled the isles 9 years ago…
Viewers then encounter a miasma of possible suspects, including Linden’s formidable mother, brother, his ex-wife, and his son. So who plays who in the guest cast of Shetland series 11? Here’s everything you need to know.
Shetland series 11 guest cast led by Christine Bottomley
Christine Bottomley stars as the missing doctor’s ex-wife Emily Linden in the cast of Shetland series 11. Talking about her missing husband Raymond, Emily reveals that he struggled with his own demons and made life a living hell for her and their son Jonah.
As the past comes back to haunt her, Emily’s main concern is protecting her son Jonah from the truth. But as the investigation goes on, questions arise over Emily’s version of the truth and how far she will go to protect herself.
Rochdale-born actress Christine Bottomley, 47, has been on our screens since she first popped up as Kirsty in BBC soap EastEnders in 2001. She subsequently popped up in episodes of The Bill, and Heartbeat, before winning the role of Melanie in the sitcom Early Doors. You probably know her best for her comedic roles, so she’s in good company in this year’s Shetland.
Christine went on to appear in The Street, The Innocence Project, Massive, Hope Springs, Land Girls, and Great Night Out. Between 2014 and 2016, she starred as Vicky in In the Club, and went on to appear in Fearless, and The End of the F***ing World.
More recently, she’s probably more famous for playing Mandy in the comedy Back to Life, Scribonia in Domina, and Rachel Crossley in Sherwood. In the past two years, she’s appeared in The Wives, Ridley, and Waterloo Road.
Gregor Fisher stars as Donald Pierce
Glasgow-born comedian and actor Gregor Fisher, 72, portrays Donald Pierce. BBC One describes him as a “lonely and overzealous old man” who finds himself unwittingly embroiled in the investigation.
Donald lives in a small croft overlooking the pier where Linden’s car sank. A hoarder, he has crammed his house with junk and lost touch with his family, leaving him obsessive but ultimately harmless. It later becomes evident that he might be a key part of the case…
Gregor Fisher is best known as a comedian, and for his portrayal of the title character in the comedy series Rab C. Nesbitt. It’s a role he played on and off between
Comedy fans will also recognise him from his roles in Foxy Lady, Naked Video, The Baldy Man, and Brotherly Love. More recently, he’s played Ray in The Cockfields, and Ken Pritchard in Only Child. He’s been in tons of films too, including Love Actually, 1984, and The Merchant of Venice.
Those of who you watched Channel 5’s gripping thriller The Inheritance in 2023And, yes, he HAS lost a lot of weight recently. His health improved after doctors diagnosed him with diabetes and advised him to change his lifestyle.
Talking about her new co-star, Ashley Jensen said: “I worked with Gregor many years ago, so it was wonderful to be reunited with him. And Gavin was an absolute joy to have on set. I think comedy actors can move into drama far more easily than people realise. They’re often much more versatile than they’re given credit for. Gregor and Gavin both play gritty, emotional roles that have a huge impact on the story.”
Shetland series 11 cast: Stella Gonet portrays Martha Linden
Scottish actress Stella Gonet, 65, stars as Dr Raymond Linden’s formidable mother Martha. The character has lived a small life ever since her husband died. That life got even smaller when her beloved son, Raymond, “went away”. She now spends all her days stuck in her home and over-relies on her other son, Eric.
Stella Gonet made her name playing Beatrice Eliott in the period drama The House of Eliott between 1991 and 1994. If you’re too young to remember the series, it was peak primetime viewing. It followed two sisters in 1920s London who worked to build a successful dressmaking business.
She’s also famous for playing former Chief Executive Officer Jayne Grayson in Holby City from 2007 to 2009. More recently, she’s flexed her comedic muscles as Leah in Breeders. Other notable roles include Aileen MacAfee in Traces, Caroline Sturgess in The Salisbury Poisonings, Elizabeth in The Cry, and Mrs Lipsey in Man Down.
This year, she portrayed another formidable mother, this time Angela Kennedy in the cast of ITV crime drama The Dark.
This City is Ours actor Kevin Harvey plays Graeme Gould
Liverpudlian actor Kevin Harvey, 49, portrays Raymond Linden’s best friend and practice partner. Graeme is well-meaning but ultimately flawed and makes clumsy decisions. In fact, whether he likes it or not, Graeme has always been in Linden’s shadow…
This City is Ours fans will know Kevin for playing Phelan insider Bobby Duffy in the BBC One crime drama. It’s a role he’s portrayed since the first series in 2025. So you might be surprised to hear he’s dropped the Scouse accent to play Graeme!
Like some of his This City is Ours co-stars (James Nelson-Joyce, Jack McMullen, Bobby Schofield, and Julie Graham), he’s also appeared in Jimmy McGovern’s Time. Kevin starred as convict Paul McAdams in the BBC prison drama in 2021, and is often cast in less than savoury roles…
Those of you who watched Channel 5’s gripping thriller The Inheritance in 2023 will remember him as the violent thug – aSeries 1 to 1o are on iPlayernd abusive partner – Glen.
Other notable roles include Jeff Crabtree in Prey, Lewis Skinner in The Trial: A Murder in the Family, Clive Brock in Vera, and Olamide Bello in Treason.
He’s also been on the other side of the law occasionally, too, having played defence barrister Michael Patten in Hollyoaks, DC Vince Peterson in Merseybeat, Sgt Bill Rudd in Safe House, and Sergeant Middleton in Good Cop opposite Ten Pound Poms star Warren Brown.
More recently, Kevin starred as Phillipe Varane in Death in Paradise series 13, and Saul in the Channel 4 drama The Gathering.
Shetland series 11 cast: Gavin Mitchell stars as Murray Ross
Gavin Mitchell stars as Murray Ross in the latest series of Shetland. Still Game fans will know the Scottish actor and comedian best for playing barman Boaby in the sitcom.
Like Gregor Fisher, he’s known first for comedy, and has appeared in multiple sketch shows such as Pulp Video, OOglies, and Velvet Soup. He’s also worked with his Shetland co-star Gregor in The Baldy Man, and Rab C. Nesbitt.
Other notable roles include Mike Bryan in Happy Holidays, and PC Callum MacIntyre in Monarch of the Glen (which will soon be getting a reboot). In 1994, he played Hector in the sitcom Takin’ Over the Asylum opposite David Tennant and Ken Stott.
More recently, Gavin has gone straight, playing John Adams in The White House, and Andy Maver in Nightsleeper.
Robin Weaver is Sandra Ross
Teddington-born Robin Weaver, 56, portrays Sandra Ross in Shetland series 11.
She’s been on our screens ever since 1989, when she portrayed Sarah in the TV movie Somewhere to Run. She was the main character, as the drama followed teenagers Sarah and Debbie as they ran away from home and found themselves on the streets of London. Other film roles followed, such as The Woman in Black, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Cruise of the Gods.
Robin famously played Simon’s mum Pamela Cooper in the comedy The Inbetweeners, a role she reprised in the subsequent movies. Other notable roles include Hiolly Hunteman in Dawn French comedy Wild West, Jade Carver in Love Hurts, and Pippa in Barking!
More recently, she’s portrayed Vanessa in Trollied, Lizzie Barrett in Casualty, and Gisele Haiden in Professor T.
Who else appears in the cast of Shetland series 11?
Of course, the main cast of Shetland returns in series 11, including Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder, and Alison O’Donnell as DI ‘Tosh’ McIntosh.
Steven Robertson is back as DC Sandy Wilson, opposite Lewis Howden‘s PC Billy McCabe, Samuel Anderson‘s Matt Blake, Anne Kidd‘s Cora McLean, and Angus Miller‘s Donnie Russell.
Steven Miller also returns as Ruth’s brother The Rev Alan Calder, as does Eubha Akilade as PC Lorna Burns, and Connor McCarry as PC Alex Grant.
Jobbing actor John Wark stars as Raymond’s brother Eric Linden. He’s best known for playing Fitzy in G Force, Steve Connor in two episodes of Holby City, and Robert Black in 2025’s Lockerbie: A Search for Truth.
British-German actress Janina Elkin plays Olena Henyka. She’s most famous for playing Janina Schielcke in Call My Agent Berlin.
Alan Convy, aka Ray in The Beaker Girls, stars as Cameron Ford, while newcomer Jude Bain is Jonah Linden.
Beth Marshall stars as Nora Shand. It’s only her second TV appearance, having previously portrayed Margaret Connell in The Bombing of Pan Am 103.
Charlene Boyd stars as Tanya Rose. River City fans will know her best as Jac Dunn. Her onscreen husband Terry Rose is portrayed by John McLarnon, who is best known for playing Angus in Crime.
Lastly Ewan Miller, who played Keith in Crime, is Raymond Linden in the cast of Shetland series 11. And FBI: International’s Daniel Boyd plays Peter Logan.
