Is this the last episode of Shetland?

Q: Is Shetland coming back in 2022?

Shetland is renewed for season 8 Thats right, Shetland will return to BBC One for season 8. The shows renewal was announced back in July 2022 as the BBC was gearing up to air the current seventh series.

DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) in Shetland BBC/Silverprint Pictures/Mark Mainz

The subtle hints at Perez’s departure had been deftly handled and let him to go out on his own terms with a well-timed departure, allowing his story to come full circle while also sowing seeds for what things might look like in his absence.

The little touches at the end between Jimmy and Tosh show how far their relationship has come and how she will have an integral role for the future of the drama, having learnt a huge amount from her mentor.

This ending also serves as a reminder of just how well Douglas Henshall and Alison O’Donnell have bounced off each other for the past nine years, with their relationship and chemistry a key point in the show’s long-standing success and an ingredient that will be absent moving forward.

Perez’s relationship with Meg Pattison has been one of the series’ other strengths, even as it has moved past Cleeves’ source material.

Meg has been a vital part of both season 6 and 7, initially looking after Perez’s father and the troublesome Donna Killick on her return to the island in the last season. There was immediate chemistry between the pair and a will-they-won’t-they thread soon developed, as viewers hoped Jimmy could finally have a future with someone who cares about him.

Meg Pattison (Lucianne McEvoy) and DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) in Shetland BBC/Silverprint Pictures/Mark Mainz

After initially seeming like his chance with Meg may have sailed past, and with Meg’s reticence over Jimmy’s commitment to his job and seeming lack of care for others, the pair do – it seems – commit to something longer term, both making clear their affection for one another.

Jimmy has struggled to connect to others following the death of his wife and with his mother and father's deaths in the past two seasons, it has been a rough time for him. So his commitment to a relationship with Meg is a truly uplifting ending for him and one sure to bring a smile to many viewers' faces.

Jimmy saying he didn’t think he’d ever feel this way again demonstrates how important Meg has been in his life over the past two seasons, and it is a more than welcome ending for one of Britain’s best loved TV detectives. The subtle development of the pair's relationship and the clear strains at times, make this ending feel even more sweet and fitting.

Shetland’s seventh season has been hinting at Jimmy Perez’s send-off, dropping hints about his future in the force, the insular nature of his existence and cutting off those close to him, so it's truly a treat to see a character who has been through the wringer get the happy ending he deserves.

Douglas Henshall will be much-missed in the role, but it opens up some exciting new directions for the series – and viewers will no doubt be back to find out what life is like without Jimmy.

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Shetland season 7 is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Ann Cleeves's Shetland novels are available to buy now. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.

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Is Shetland series finished?

Shetland spoilers follow. Shetland ended season seven with the departure of DI Jimmy Perez, which could have easily killed off this beloved detective drama. Thankfully though, the BBC has enough faith in the series to renew it for an eighth season, even without their lead who's been with the show these past nine years.

Is it the last episode of Shetland tonight?

This means the final episode will air tonight, September 14, marking Jimmy's exit. Earlier this year, Douglas announced he was leaving the show but his replacement is yet to be announced. Alison O'Donnell, who plays DS Alison 'Tosh' McIntosh, opened up about her co-star leaving. She said: "I am honestly bereft.

Is Shetland ending for good?

Shetland will return for series eight with a different lead and a different series-long investigation, but the same picturesque scenery, gentle feel and familiar faces.

Is Shetland coming back in 2022?

Shetland is renewed for season 8 That's right, Shetland will return to BBC One for season 8. The show's renewal was announced back in July 2022 as the BBC was gearing up to air the current seventh series.