Shetland By Season
Here’s a summary (warning—there are major spoilers) of the show’s first seven seasons.
We’re working on adding summaries of each episodes and adding Seasons 8 and beyond.
Season 1 (2013)
Red Bones
Based on Ann Cleeves’ first Shetland novel.
Episode 1: Elderly Mima Wilson is shot dead during an archaeological dig on her land. Perez investigates, uncovering long-buried resentments between Shetland families.
Episode 2: A second murder may link back to a decades-old accident.
Season 2 (2014)
3 two-part stories
“Raven Black” (Episodes 1-2)
A teenage girl, Catherine Ross, is found murdered on the snow-covered beach. Local recluse Magnus Tait, long suspected of involvement in another girl’s disappearance years earlier, is blamed again. Perez, doubting the easy answer, digs deeper.
“Dead Water” (Episodes 3-4)
Journalist Jerry Markham dies in a car found submerged off a jetty. As the investigation progresses it seems the victim’s return to Shetland was connected to plans for a controversial new gas pipeline. When a second body is found, Perez wonders if the two killings are connected.
“Blue Lightning” (Episodes 5-6)
Perez returns to his childhood home on Fair Isle after a visiting scientist is murdered at a bird observatory run by his parents. When the prime suspect lands in the hospital, questions mount.
Season 3 (2016)
The Missing Student Case
Episode 1: While on the ferry from Aberdeen to Shetland, a young man named Robbie Morton vanishes. When a small child ends up in the hospital, Perez believe the two incidents are connected.
Episode 2: Perez believes that Michael Maguire, a man who fought with Robbie on the ferry, is involved in Robbie’s death, but the suspect isn’t talking.
Episode 3: After Maguire is alsokilled, Perez and Tosh travel to Glasgow to find out more, including how he might be connected to Robbie.
Episode 4: Tosh and a local Glasgow officer, DS Iain Boyd, try to find out more about an abandoned club while Perez tries to make a deal.
Episode 5: Tosh and a local Glasgow officer, DS Iain Boyd, try to find out more about an abandoned club while Perez tries to make a deal. Tosh is attacked.
Episode 6: Perez continues his investigation and realizes that the person who ordered Maguire’s murder is trying to frame someone else. Perez realizes who killed Robbie.
Season 4 (2018)
The Thomas Malone Case
Episode 1: Thomas Malone leaves prison after serving 23 years for the 1994 murder of local teenager Lizzie Kilmuir.
Episode 2: After the daughter (Sally McColl) of the officer responsible for Malone going to jail is found dead, Perez investigates. DNA testing on a scarf the Kilmuir case reveals that Donna Kilwick’s husband is not the father of her son (Alan).
Episode 3: Perez asks Donna about the DNA results. Tosh heads to Norway in search of a man named Andreas Hagan who might be connected to Sally’s murder.
Episode 4: Perez and Tosh follow leads in Norway connect to alt-right groups while, in Shetland, a beach memorial service for Sally McColl turns ugly.
Episode 5: Tosh is suspicious of the local Norwegian officer who is helping the Shetland police. Meanwhile, Perez realizes that Duncan may connected be to Sally’s murder.
Episode 6: DNA confirms that Duncan is Alan Killick’s father. Perez realizes who killed Lizzie and discovers the connection to Sally’s murder.
Season 5 (2019)
The Human -Trafficking Storyline
Episode 1: A severed hand belonging to a young Nigerian man washes ashore, leading to Perez and the team investigating.
Episode 2: After the daughter (Sally McColl) of the officer responsible for Malone going to jail is found dead, Perez investigates. DNA testing on a scarf the Kilmuir case reveals that Donna Kilwick’s husband is not the father of her son (Alan).
Episode 3: Perez asks Donna about the DNA results. Tosh heads to Norway in search of a man named Andreas Hagan who might be connected to Sally’s murder.
Episode 4: Perez and Tosh follow leads in Norway connect to alt-right groups while, in Shetland, a beach memorial service for Sally McColl turns ugly.
Episode 5: Tosh is suspicious of the local Norwegian officer who is helping the Shetland police. Meanwhile, Perez realizes that Duncan may connected be to Sally’s murder.
Episode 6: DNA confirms that Duncan is Alan Killick’s father. Perez realizes who killed Lizzie and discovers the connection to Sally’s murder.
Season 6 (2021)
The Shooting of Alex Galbraith
Episode 1: Prominent lawyer Alex Galbraith, who had advocated for the compassionate release of Donna Killick (who is dying of cancer) is shot dead in his home. Perez’ father is having trouble with his memory, and comes to stay with the family.
Episode 2: As part of the investigation, Perez and Tosh board a dive boat to investigate a suspicious death.
Episode 3: A hunt is on for Sandy’s attacker. Blood from the recent break-in throws up a DNA match that leads to another murder suspect. A shocking confession causes tensions to boil over, leading to mob justice.
Episode 4: After a mob visits the Creggans’ house in the previous night, Fraser Creggan is dead and Logan is on the run. Tosh visits Maurice Ross to find out why Alex Galbraith was paying for his care. At the religious retreat on Whalsay, Sister Carolyn receives a threatening postcard and leaves.
Episode 5: Perez finds that Carrie McAndrew was in debt to Niven Guthrie (Niven is working on Eve Galbraith’s campaign). Donna grows weaker and asks Duncan for one last favor.
Episode 6: After Perez finds out more information about Maurice Ross’ daughter, Niven and Darren are arrested. Donna’s death lands Duncan and Perez in legal trouble.
Season 7 (2022)
Connor Cairns’ Disappearance
Episode 1: The Cairns family move to Shetland. When their son Connor goes missing, they fear the worst.
Episode 2: A body is found during the search for Connor, but it is not him. Perez finds out more about Danny Cairns (Connor’s dad), a former cop.
Episode 3: Perez wonders if Connor is a victim or involved in the murder of the recent victim. Abbie (Connor’s sister) reveals that her brother used to work for drug gangs in Glasgow. A facial reconstruction of the latest victim leads to a possible match on the airport CCTV footage.
Episode 4: Perez wonders if Connor is a victim or involved in the murder of another victim, Bryd (Connor’s former girlfriend). Abbie (Connor’s sister) reveals that her brother used to work for drug gangs in Glasgow. A facial reconstruction of the latest victim leads to a possible match on the airport CCTV footage. Tosh barely escapes a bomb blast in Connor’s caravan. Connor’s body is found at the base of a cliff, an apparent suicide.
Episode 5: Perez finds out more about Lloyd, Connor’s former art teacher, who has a criminal past. A local break-in suggests another bombmaker is at work. Tosh is annoyed that Donnie is spending so much time with Carol Anne.
Episode 6: Perez believes the bombmaker, who may also be responsible for the murders of Connor and Bryd, may be planning an attack in the Lerwick town centre. Tosh realizes that Carol Anne is involved in Connor’s eco-group, as is Connor’s murderer. Perez realizes that the body in the suitcase isn’t related to the eco-group and figures out who is responsible. Perez makes a decision about Lloyd that impacts his future in Lerwick.