Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: TV And Film, BBC, Reddit
Kya Buller
Viewers of a divisive crime show are finding themselves unable to look away from the screen due to one unexpected detail.
The Scottish crime drama, released by BBC, has already spanned eight seasons.
Starring Douglas Henshall and Alison O'Donnell, alongside the likes of Ashley Jensen and Mark Bonnar, all series bar the first consist of six episodes.
Premiering in 2013, the eighth season was released last year - and there's yet another season on the way.
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The series is called Shetland, and viewers truly do love it or hate it.
It's based upon the novels of Ann Cleeves, and despite the critiques, it has scooped the 2016 BAFTA Scotland award for Best Actor and the series received the award for Best TV Drama.
Ian Hart, who is set to star in the forthcoming ninth series, said: "I’m looking forward to embarking on a Shetland adventure – it’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit and to do so with this incredible drama is wonderful.”
The BBC added: "Shetland is loved by millions of fans on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with the last series (2023) averaging 7.0 million viewers across its run, in line with the previous run.
"In Scotland, Shetland was the second biggest drama of the year across all channels and streamers, behind Happy Valley.
"The ninth series was part of a double commission recently announced by the BBC. Series 10 of Shetland will film in 2025."
So, what is it that people take issue with?
A forum on Reddit gives all the answers you could possibly need.
Someone asked plainly: "Shetland - does it get better?" before adding: "For the first two seasons, I got to the end of each 'story' (thankfully only 2 episodes long) and when the big 'reveal' ('whodunnit?') occurred, I was very underwhelmed - like, 'why' - why would that person commit that crime?
"And why would I care - they didn't really build the person up to be a disappointment."
They also noted they carried on watching 'primarily on the strength of the location / scenery.'
It seems people are in agreement.
One person responded: "I've always found the plots overly convoluted and clunky but watch it because it's on Shetland. I always struggle to understand the plot and get frustrated by script. The last series was pants."
Another said: "Just finished season 5 last night. Another huge disappointment, plot-wise. I'm still watching it because I just love the scenery, and observing the life of the locals. And I love watching Tosh, and Duncan. But the plot ... argh!"
With eight seasons to tuck into and another on the way, it may be worth putting your feet up and making up your own mind.