BBC Shetland

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Fandom
Name: Shetland, BBC Shetland
Abbreviation(s): none
Creator: David Kane
Date(s): 10th March 2013-present
Medium: TV
Country of Origin: Scotland
External Links: shetlandbbc dreamwidth community shetland fic fest on tumblr
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Shetland is a BBC TV series initially based on the book series of the same name by Ann Cleeves. The TV series is in fandom often distinguished from the books by prefacing it with 'BBC'.

Canon

2013 - present

Created from the novels by award winning crime writer Ann Cleeves, Shetland follows DI Jimmy Perez and his team as they investigate crime within the close knit island community. In this isolated and sometimes inhospitable environment, the team have to rely on a uniquely resourceful style of policing. Set against a hauntingly beautiful landscape, Shetland is based on the best selling books such as Red Bones, Raven Black, Dead Water and Blue Lightning. [1]

The first two series of the TV series are based on Ann Cleeves' books Red Bones (series 1), Raven Black (series 2), Dead Water (series 2) and Blue Lightning (series 2). From series 3 onwards the TV series diverged from the books. A major difference between the books and the TV series is the relationship between Jimmy Perez and Duncan Hunter; in the books they knew each other as children but as adults are not friends and only tolerate each other for the sake of their shared daughter, Cassie. In the TV series they grew closer over parenting their daughter with Duncan crashing at Jimmy's house twice (series 3 and series 5) during marital difficulties with his wife, Mary, and following Mary's leaving Duncan in series 5 Duncan moves in with Jimmy permanently.

Characters

  • DI Jimmy Perez
  • Cassie Perez
  • Duncan Hunter
  • DS Alison 'Tosh' McIntosh
  • DC Sandy Wilson
  • Sgt Billy McCabe
  • Rhona Kelly
  • Cora McLean
  • PC Alex Grant
  • Donnie

Fandom

The first fanfic for this fandom was Long Winding Roads by elfin posted to AO3 on 18th April 2014. As of October 7th 2023 there are 239 works in the Shetland (TV) fandom on AO3 of which 150 works feature the pairing Duncan Hunter/Jimmy Perez.

There was low activity in the fandom until series 5 (2019), with only 39 fics posted to AO3 since 2014. Series 5 brought a boom in fannish activity and brought about regular inclusion in the annual Yuletide exchange fest.

There is an active discord server for this fandom hosted by fan aurorlaura (aurorlaura @ AO3, aurorlaura @ tumblr).

Notable Fanworks

Long Winding Roads by elfin - the first fanfic

Northern Lights by silver_sun - popular Rivers of London crossover fic

Wait along by aurorlaura

Hearts series by Philleegirl