Shetland star Douglas Henshall quits after 7 series

‘Shetland’ star Douglas Henshall has announced his departure from the BBC show after seven series.

The 56-year-old actor played DI Jimmy Perez on the hit thriller, adapted from the award-winning crime series of the same name by Ann Cleeves, since 2013.

The show, which is getting ready for its seventh series, will be the last for the Glaswegian-born star, who is branching out to explore other options.

He said: “After series five of 'Shetland', David Kane and I decided we wanted to do two more series to complete the story of Jimmy Perez. So series six and seven were commissioned together to give us time to wrap up Perez's story to a satisfactory end.

“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. I wish everyone involved much luck with whatever happens next.”

Gaynor Holmes, executive producer for BBC Drama, added: “It has been an absolute privilege to work on 'Shetland' over the past few years and watch the show go from strength to strength – in no small part thanks to Douglas’s sensitive, intelligent and memorable portrayal of DI Jimmy Perez.

“We will miss him enormously but he leaves the show in rude health and we’re extremely excited about the plans we have for bringing more of this much loved drama to audiences far and wide.”

The murder mystery will continue to run for an eighth season with a new lead, with casting to be confirmed in the coming months.

‘Shetland’ season seven returns to BBC One in August.