If you’re looking for something similar to David Tennant’sBroadchurch(but with a few more episodes), Scottish BBC crime dramaShetlandmight be exactly what you need.Broadchurch, starring the brilliantDavid Tennant and Oscar-winner Olivia Colman, was a certified hit when it first premiered on ITV in the UK in 2013.
Combining a tragic murder, a small seaside community, an incredible cast, and two stubborn yet emotionally determined lead detectives,Broadchurchsoon became one of the most beloved British crime dramas of the 2010s. Considering the Brits produce an astonishing number of critically-acclaimed crime and detective shows each year, that says a lot.
One such crime drama premiered on the BBC in the same year asBroadchurch:Shetland.Starring Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Perez, Alison O’Donnell as DS Alison “Tosh” McIntosh, Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson, and, later, Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder,Shetlandhas become a nearly annual, gripping phenomenon, based on theShetlandnovels by prolific crime novelist Ann Cleeves.
Shetland Is Perfect For Fans Of David Tennant’s Broadchurch
Shetland And Broadchurch Explore Similar Narrative Themes
There areendless reasons to loveBroadchurch. Tennant and Colman turn in terrific, gut-wrenching performances (as does the rest of the cast; Jodie Whittaker is particularly memorable). The first murder case is harrowing, as the body of a 10-year-old boy is found beneath the cliffs of a once peaceful seaside town. The killer’s reveal and the subsequent fallout will stick with you long after you’ve finished the show.
What makesBroadchurchstand out among other similar crime dramas, even almost a decade after the show ended, is the way it explores how violent crime and gossip can affect a tight-knit community. How can you trust your neighbors? What if you’re forced to investigate someone you’ve known your entire life? How do personal connections to the victims change the police’s investigative approach?
Other detective dramas depict the police as an external force; they’re trying to piece together a mystery, and once that’s done, they’ll move on to the next case.BroadchurchandShetlandtake a more personal approach.
Shetland, set in the remote Shetland Islands far to the north of Scotland, grapples with many similar themes and questions. The local police have been a part of Shetland’s island community for years. They know these people, and yet, when the worst happens, they’re forced to set aside their biases and focus on the case.Shetlandseason 9is a strong example of this, after one of Tosh’s close friends is murdered after a party.
There are nineShetlandnovels by Ann Cleeves available to read.
Other detective dramas depict the police as an external force; they’re trying to piece together a mystery, and once that’s done, they’ll move on to the next case.BroadchurchandShetlandtake a more personal approach, however, and the result is a gripping, character-driven crime narrative.
Shetland’s Similarities With Broadchurch Explained
Both Shows Are Character-Focused Crime Dramas
ManyBritish detective and crime dramasexplore a new case per episode. Shows likeVera(also based on books by Ann Cleeves),Midsomer Murders,Endeavour,Inspector George Gently,and more have adopted this approach.BroadchurchandShetland(starting in season 3), however, explore a new case per season, with older cases remaining an influential factor as the leading investigators navigate a new type of crime and their inner demons.
Each approach has pros and cons, of course, but if you’re looking for something to replaceBroadchurch,Shetland’s narrative structure, its general vibe, the themes it explores, and the way it studies and handles its suspects and leading detectives – Henshall’s Jimmy Perez may be gentler than Tennant’s Alec Hardy, but they’re both haunted by their personal and professional pasts – feels very similar.
Shetlandseason 10 is now in production, so if you’re looking for something to fill thatBroadchurch-shaped hole in your heart, now’s the perfect time to start watching.
Shetland
Cast
Set in the remote Shetland Islands, this crime series follows DI Jimmy Perez and his team as they navigate complex investigations. Amidst a tight-knit community and challenging landscapes, the detectives employ resourceful methods to uncover the truth behind various crimes. Based on Ann Cleeves' novels.
Broadchurch
Broadchurch: Set in a small coastal town, Broadchurch follows the intense investigation into the murder of a young boy, as the case draws significant media attention and threatens the fabric of the close-knit community.
