'Phone sex, drug raids and alfresco corpses. It’s all go in Shetland'

Phone Sex, Drug Raids and Alfresco Corpses: It’s All Go in Shetland

By Alison Rowat

Alison Rowat reviews the highlights and low points of the week’s television, from the gripping return of Shetland to new looks at football legends and celebrity competitions.

The Week’s Television Highlights

The week brought a mix of familiar faces and fresh formats. Saying farewell to Celebrity Traitors and welcoming Celebrity Race Across the World on BBC One, viewers might suspect the network is running its own “one in, one out” policy. While Celebrity Traitors featured recognizable participants, the new show leaves audiences wondering who many of the contestants are.

Return to Shetland

The tenth season of Shetland opened with detectives Tosh and Calder (played by Alison O’Donnell and Ashley Jensen) waiting at the docks to intercept a fishing boat allegedly loaded with drugs. No sooner had they handled that situation than another call came in: a body had been discovered in the quiet village of Lunnswick.

A Startling Discovery

The victim, retired social worker Eadie Tulloch, had been found tethered outside her house for days. Inside, there were no signs of a struggle or disturbance.

“It was as if,” remarked Calder, “she was led out meekly, like an animal to slaughter.”

Adding to the intrigue is the arrival of a new local fiscal, Matt (Samuel Anderson), charming yet incautious enough to admit that his long-distance relationship back in Edinburgh is under strain.

Other Notable Mentions

Elsewhere on television, a new documentary celebrating Celtic and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish offered thoughtful reflection on the football star’s legacy. Viewers also awaited the Bake Off final and tuned into The Troops for a mix of nostalgia and entertainment.

Author’s Summary: A week of contrasting television, from Shetland’s moody crime mysteries to cheerful celebrity contests, proving there’s never a dull moment on screen.

The Herald — 2025-11-09