Shetland returns to BBC One on Wednesday 6th November at 9pm
Veteran actor Ian Hart brings a complex new character, Professor Euan Rossi, to the BBC’s hit crime series. Ian, a familiar face from Harry Potter, steps into the shoes of Rossi, an Oxford University professor whose arrival on the island stirs up intrigue and suspicion. ‘He’s Annie Bett’s [Sarah MacGillivray] former mentor, her tutor at Oxford,’ Ian shares, setting the scene. ‘Very early on, he saw her talent in maths and took a particular interest. But he’s definitely not as straightforward as he first appears.’
Rossi’s presence on Shetland is triggered by an urgent voicemail from his old protégé, who has since gone missing. ‘Annie contacts him out of the blue, asking for help. It’s been over a decade since they spoke, and something about her message just strikes him as wrong,’ Ian explains. ‘So, he makes his way to Shetland, determined to find out what’s going on.’
But for DI Calder (Ashley Jensen), Rossi’s story doesn’t quite add up. ‘Calder’s suspicious right from the start,’ Ian notes with a smile. ‘For her, it’s a game of proving what she suspects. And Rossi knows how to keep his cards close to his chest.’
(Picture: BBC/Robert Pereira Hind /ITV Studios)
Beyond his character’s murky motives, Ian couldn’t resist the allure of Shetland’s unique setting and the refreshing break from typical crime show tropes. ‘There’s something deeply personal about Shetland as a drama,’ he says. ‘Most crime shows are set in interchangeable urban landscapes, but Shetland is its own character in the story. And when people say, “there are no trees in Shetland,” it’s true—just the odd one in someone’s garden! It’s such a stark and beautiful place, reminding me of the west coast of Ireland.’
Yet the island’s beauty comes with a twist: the ever-shifting weather. ‘You get every season within an hour,’ laughs Ian. ‘I remember thinking, “It’s a lovely day!” only to turn back ten minutes later, soaked. You need to be ready for anything there!’
Despite his character’s brooding nature, Ian says there were plenty of laughs on set. ‘Why go to work if you’re not having fun?’ he says. ‘Everyone from the props team to makeup was incredible to work with. Ashley and Alison were particularly lovely—such generous, funny people.’
For Ian, Shetland’s success lies in its mix of Scandi Noir-inspired grit and real emotional weight. ‘The personal lives of the characters hold as much importance as the crime itself,’ he notes. ‘That balance keeps people invested in the series.’
On the local flavor, Ian fondly recalls a chaotic quiz night in Scalloway with co-stars Lesley and Vincent. ‘We started strong, but as the pints kept coming, so did the wrong answers!’ he laughs. ‘We were hopeless by the end.’
As for what fans can expect this season? ‘Not what you think… maybe!’ Ian teases.
Previous episodes of Shetland can be watched on BBC iPlayer
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