Shetland TV Drama
Apologies if there was a previous thread (?) but I enjoyed the recent series...even though it's so far removed from the Anne Cleeves books that it's a whole different set of tales, especially the ending. It took me ages to work out the characters in the TV series as some were far removed from the book plots, not sure which I prefer, possibly Perez does better in the final book?! I thought Doug Henshall was excellent as Perez even though the book Perez was different, if you get my drift.
I had a smile at the car chase on Shetland's one "big" road.
I wonder if it's better to read the books first or watch the TV programmes, I watched the TV series first.
Shetland is a lovely place to visit but it's a fair old journey to the far north. 
Comments
-
We've watched all the series of Shetland and really enjoyed them. Have not read the books.
Last night appears to be the last time we will see Doug Henshall as Perez, not sure how that will work out as I feel he makes the programme. Time will tell I guess.
Not been to Shetland yet but I did work with a woman who was born and brought up there, when I expressed a wish to visit she said 'WHY' there is nothing there, its just flat, cold and wet most of the time. I guess when you have been brought up there you can see it differently.
1 -
I really enjoyed all the Shetland series. Not quite sure how they are going to transition to a new lead cop?
With regard to TV compared to the books its not a problem for me as I don't read much fiction. However I am not sure you can expect a TV adaptation of a book to be the same as a book because what works in the written word might not work visually and vice versa. I assume a author writes to help the reader visualise in the minds eye. That visualisation might not work as easily in a film/TV and of course the director will no doubt will want to put their own stamp on the production?
David
0 -
Some of the book stories were completely dropped for the series with new ones added and the Perez story line is very different in the books. however it works well both ways. Perez has quite a bit of history in the original writings, it took me awhile to adjust to both renditions. Good tv watching over the last few weeks, I'll miss it.
1 -
I wonder if Tosh will take over? I am not convinced because the relationship seems very much part of the story. Is this the same in the books?
David
1 -
Grrrr, A B M is a bit miffed at you lot
cos you didn't put lots and loads about Shetland on this thread, so I missed all but the last two episodes which said episodes I found very good indeed !! Sniffle Grouch Grrrrrr.P.S. , Edit I've always enjoyed my time up there on the Northern Isles so I'll just have to check through my memory bank again
0 -
... Grrrr, A B M is a bit miffed at you lot
cos you didn't put lots and loads about Shetland on this thread, so I missed all but the last two episodes which said episodes I found very good indeed !! Sniffle Grouch Grrrrrr.I'm sure it'll be on BBCi player 🤷♂️
1 -
I've got photos of myself on Shetland in mid June, I'm wrapped up looking like I'm going on an Arctic expedition however not like that every day and the long light days were wonderful. The scenery was varied and empty, worth the six hour ferry trip, only a couple of vans on the car deck, a very comfortable berth and good food. The little community camp sites are excellent. I got to see the most northerly point in the British Isles, Muckle Flugga being the last out post. Fantastic remains from our Viking and pre-historic ancestors, stunning sea bird colonies and a glimpse of the film crew recording the early Shetland series. Seeing FairIsle on the return route was special too.
I don't think I saw any police during the visit, Jimmy Perez must have cleared the way!
0 -
Just a couple of points, brue Long time ago when i was on Shetland it was so light at night I was writing out post-cards by natural light at 12.30ish A.M. { in the days before general use mobile phones } . Put the pen etc away and curled up for a nights kip only to be wakened up by the local bird life doing a clog dance on the roof of my Bambi mh at young birds feeding time ~~ about half past two grrrrr
The second point is about the Bobbies -- they are g-i-n-o-r-m-o-u-s !! I dont recall ever seeing any of them under about six foot plenty !!
0 -
We were late getting into watching Shetland on the telly, thoroughly enjoyed it.
In 2019 we watched the series and looked into going with the caravan, the ferry price put us off.
Around the Easter we booked a cruise with Cunard on Queen Victoria for her maiden voyage to Lerwick en route to Iceland, Scotland, Eire.
The week before Shetland was on every BBC TV programme with outside broadcasts, the cruise excursions filled up. Booked a cab for the day and went around a lot of the main island, the driver explained the locations used for filming, how externals and internals married up, the cop shop. Very interesting and entertaining. There had been a murder the day before.
Fascinating place, stunning scenery. If ferry price is reasonable when we change back to MH, will look to go for longer.
Roll on the next series.
0 -
People do go to Shetland with caravans, KS, but it’s much more suited to a MH. We've done Orkney and Shetland twice with our MHs and didn’t find the ferry costs too bad.
The same applies to the Outer Hebrides - easier with a MH.
0 -
I read the books a while before the TV series. I just try and block out the books and try to see the TV series as something different. I do that with quite a lot of TV series of the books - otherwise it just annoys me that they aren't the books!
We've been to Orkney twice, once with a tent, once with a caravan. We stayed in a cottage when we went to Shetland - partly because we weren't sure how bad the weather would be, and whether it would be suitable for caravanning. If we went again we would not hesitate to take the van. There is a lot to see, archaeology, wildlife, different islands. The islands are easier to get around than Orkney, with short distance ferries. Like all islands, it is a different world.
0 -
The ferry for car + caravan was more than a cabin for 2 on the cruise at that time.
When we get the recently ordered MH will look into going to Shetland, and lots of other places.
We haven't gone over water by ferry, or chunnel with the caravan as we've been tied to school holidays in that period of ownership.
When we previously had a MH we did lots over the water as it were.
Like life, things change, so we are looking at how to utilise the new MH given changes in them since we last bought one.
0 -
I recommend going for it with the Scottish islands when you get sorted, KS.👍🏻
0 -
Shout if you need any info.
0 -
Apparently Anne Cleeves lost her laptop in the snow in Shetland a few days ago with a half written "Shetland" novel on it. Fortunately its been found and reunited with the author. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-63994698
David
1
