Ashley Jensen, known for starring in After Life and Extras, has bagged the lead role in murder mystery show Shetland.
Ashley, 53, replaces Douglas Henshall, 57, who played DI Jimmy Perez for seven years, but left after the seventh season.
The actress, also known for roles in comedies Ugly Betty and Agatha Raisin, will play DI Ruth Calder, who returns to Shetland after 20 years at the Met.
Before her breakout role as Maggie in the Ricky Gervais comedy Extras, Ashley appeared in EastEnders, Casualty, Taggart and other TV shows.
She won two British Comedy Awards and a BAFTA nomination for her performance in Extras, which ran from 2005- 2007.
In 2019, Ashley reunited with Ricky for the hugely popular Netflix show, After Life.
Ashley said she was "absolutely thrilled" to be joining Shetland.
She went on: "It’s such a hugely successful show and I am aware I have very big boots to fill since the departure of DI Perez, who was very much loved by fans of the show."
Speaking about the impact of her character on the show, Ashley said: "There will be a different dynamic with Ruth amongst the regular characters and a few more new interesting characters to enjoy.
"However the integrity of the show and the world that has been created will remain very much in the same tone as the last seven seasons.
"It's a real privilege to be asked to lead this show into a new chapter."
Series regulars Alison O'Donnell, Steven Robertson, Lewis Holden and Anne Kidd, will be returning, who play DS alison 'Tosh' McIntosh, Sandy, Billy and Cobra, respectively.
The new series is set to be film in Shetland and across Scotland in the spring, and air next year.
Gaynor Holmes, Commissioning Editor for the BBC said: “I am absolutely delighted that Ashley is joining the stellar cast of Shetland.
"Ashley is an immensely accomplished and well-loved actress who is known internationally and we can’t wait to welcome her into the Shetland family when filming begins in the spring.”
In July it was announced that Douglas was quitting Shetland, which is based on the novels by Ann Cleeves.
The actor made the decision in order to explore other opportunities, and said he would miss playing DI Perez.
He said: "It's been one of the privileges of my career to play Jimmy Perez for almost 10 years and to work with so many wonderful people both in front of and behind the camera, and also to spend so much time in Shetland.
"The isles were so much a part of our show and of Perez himself. I'll miss him and the place."
The last few seasons of Shetland haven't been based on books by Cleeves and DI Calder is a brand new role, not written by the novelist.
