Why did Douglas Henshall leave Shetland? Reason for BBC star's exit

Shetland is making a comeback with its 10th series, featuring Alison O'Donnell and Ashley Jenson reprising their roles as DI Alison 'Tosh' McIntosh and DI Ruth Calder.

Alison has been a part of the show since its inception, alongside returning characters Sgt Billy McCabe, portrayed by Lewis Howden, and Sandy, played by Steven Robertson, while Ashley joined the cast in 2023 following Douglas Henshall's departure.

Douglas was known for his role as DI Jimmy Perez in the detective drama, a character he embodied from the show's launch in 2013 until its seventh season in 2022, and with the drama making a return for series 10, many will be trying to recall why DI Jimmy Perez hung up his detective badge.

Moreover, following Shetland writer Ann Cleeves' announcement at the start of 2025 that she was penning a new book featuring DI Jimmy Perez, rumours started swirling that Douglas could be poised for a return to Shetland. Here's everything we know.

Viewers said their goodbyes to DI Jimmy Perez, brought to life by Douglas Henshall, in 2022 after he rode off into the sunset with his partner Meg, enacted by Lucianne McEvoy.

In a plot twist that left fans stunned, after proving the innocence of American painter Lloyd Anderson in a decades-old murder case, he made the courageous decision to set him free which subsequently led to him surrendering his detective badge.

At the time of his departure, Douglas explained: "It's been one of the privileges of my career to play Jimmy Perez for almost 10 years and to work with so many wonderful people both in front of and behind the camera, and also to spend so much time in Shetland.

"The isles were so much a part of our show and of Perez himself. I'll miss him and the place."

He revealed that he believed Jimmy's storyline had reached its natural conclusion and that he was eager to explore different opportunities.

In conversation with the BBC, he stated: "I decided to leave a few years ago because I felt that Perez's story was coming to a natural end - it was time to find a resolution to Perez's private life.

"I never wanted to ruin the things that were unique to him and our series, so it felt like the right time to wrap up his story in a way that would be satisfactory to everybody."

He went on: "I am aware we're not changing the world in any way, shape or form but as far as crime shows go, Shetland does really well in that genre. We tell stories that are very good, the characters are great and I wanted to go out on a high."

Speculation mounted that Douglas might be making a return to Shetland following writer Ann Cleeves' announcement that DI Jimmy Perez would feature in her upcoming novel. Understandably, viewers of the programme have been hoping the BBC will bring the book to screen.

However, Douglas has dismissed the idea of a comeback for now. In a 2022 interview with This Morning host Alison Hammond, when asked if he would return, Douglas responded: "No, I'm done."

Whilst fans may have to hold their breath for a new book adaptation, series 10 of Shetland is just around the corner, set to premiere on Wednesday, November 5 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The upcoming series will see Calder and Tosh drawn into a remote village following the chilling murder of an elderly woman. As they delve into life in this tight-knit community, shocking, long-hidden secrets emerge with unforeseen repercussions for everyone - including the team.