Alison O’Donnell Talks Shetland Series 10

Investigating A Murder In A Small Village

Alison O’Donnell who plays DI Alison ‘Tosh’ Mcintosh in the BBC’s Shetland just spoke about what we can expect in the latest series…

After her experience in the last series, Tosh has accepted the isolation of being a cop. She spends less time with old friends, preferring to keep some distance between herself and those she needs to police. She relishes her friends at the station and her working dynamic with Calder is solid. It’s her relationship with Billy which comes under the microscope this time around, when the victim turns out to be an old personal friend of his. Tosh is shocked and wants to support the man who has been there for her all these years but developments in the case will make it tough for both of them and put a strain on their relationship.

Welcome back! Where do we find Tosh at the start of the new series of Shetland?

At the start of this new series, Tosh has really settled into her role as DI. Having reached a maturational threshold during season nine, realising that certain relationships were no longer serving her, she is knuckling down at work and focussing on the things in her life that truly matter. Her relationship with Calder is also really blossoming and their working dynamic is well cemented.

Tosh and Calder investigate a murder in a small village – what can you tell us about it?

The fictional village of Lunniswick is typical of Shetland, scattered houses lining a beach, the neighbours well acquainted with one another and the land they live on. It is rich in history, relationships and secrets which I really loved as a central focus of the mystery. There was so much to play with, so much to unpack. As the investigation progresses, we get deeper and deeper into the lives of those who live there and the history of the place. It was very satisfying.

As well as the murder investigation, the case will stir up secrets and lies from the past which impact the police team…

Secrets are not only uncovered in Lunniswick. There is a knock-on effect to the core police team and this will prove to be pretty catastrophic for Tosh. Her fundamental belief in police work, her trust in Billy [Lewis Howden] – one of her most beloved friends and colleagues, – is shaken to the core and we see a side of her we’ve never seen before. She feels she is losing her religion, the foundation on which she has based her whole career, and the wheels really come off for her. It was really exciting for me to discover a new aspect to her after all these years.

And this series we get to know a bit more about Billy, what impact does the case have on him and his relationship with Tosh?

Tosh and Billy have been through so much together. The tenderness we saw between them during season three when Tosh was sexually assaulted has informed everything Lewis and I have done since. And to have that very special bond hanging in the balance is really hard for both of them. Tosh will find herself torn between loyalties and faced with an almost impossible choice.

Was it nice to see Lewis Howden play a more central role in the storyline this series?

Having Lewis come to the fore was nothing but a pleasure. He has won over the hearts of our audience with his nuanced performance, his steady hand and stylish beard. It was time! He has been an untapped resource for so long and he is such an exceptional actor so we were all really excited, me especially as we had so many great scenes together. He loved coming up to Shetland with all of us and having some new costumes to wear!

How does Tosh feel when she sees Calder grow close to the murder victim’s son, Ed Tulloch?

Tosh is definitely concerned by Calder’s interest in Ed [Stuart Townsend]. She recognises that it’s a conflict of interest and perhaps recognises that Calder’s interest is more than professional before even Calder does. She has a good nose for these things and tries to gently bring it to Calder’s attention but Calder isn’t ready to hear it. She’s definitely concerned about how that’s going to play out.

What is the secret to the success of Calder and Tosh?

I think Calder and Tosh are really complementary. They have quite distinctive policing styles but between them they’ve got everything covered. I also find their relationship to be down-to-earth and relatable. The comedy flourishes that the writers give us are a lovely counterpoint to the darkness of the drama and we always have a lot of fun with those.

And there’s a brilliant guest cast list this series – tell us more about them?

The guest cast are always outstanding. We are so lucky every single year and this year is no exception. It was especially nice this year that most of the cast are playing neighbours from the village and so they very quickly became a big gang and forged friendships among themselves which is always so lovely to see.

This is the first time Shetland has taken over a real-life village and transformed it into a fictional one – what was that like?

Lunniswick is actually a place called Levenwick which is on the road between Lerwick and Sumburgh airport, so I’ve driven past it 100 times but had only actually ever been down there once. I remember on a day off that I just took a fancy and went down to the beach there. It was something different for us, to be in one location for so much of the shoot. Things were very predictable, we knew we were heading to the same place every day for much of it and got into a nice rhythm with that. It’s also a beautiful place so it was very nice to be there.

Tosh has grown up over the last 10 series, what do you think her strengths are and how has she changed over the years?

When we first met Tosh she still had braces on her teeth and was suffering the aftereffects of a night on the chocolate vodka. Now she is a DI and has a family of her own. Her life couldn’t be more different. But at her core she is still the same compassionate, funny and strong woman we met over a decade ago. She is an antidote to all the hackneyed, grizzled, anti-hero – frequently male – cops that have dominated so much of the TV landscape. At the heart of her strength is her empathy and crucially her diligence. She follows the rules and does the right thing every time, even when it comes at personal cost. If I was in a sticky situation and she showed up, I would breathe a huge sigh of relief.

This is the tenth series of Shetland – what do you think its enduring success is?

The landscape of the isles is pretty much purpose built for drama and the breathtaking magic and beauty of the Isles is our USP, no doubt about it. But I also believe it’s the fictional world that we’ve built around that. Our wonderful ensemble of returning characters, the epic stories, all the characters we meet along the way, the darkness and intrigue with a pinch of humour and a big dollop of Scottish trustworthiness. It’s been a recipe for success.