Actress Alison O’Donnell to leave Shetland role after 13 years

Actress Alison O’Donnell has said she is looking forward to “new adventures” after it was announced she is to leave crime drama Shetland after 13 years.

As part of the original cast, O’Donnell has played the role of Tosh since the first series was broadcast on the BBC in 2013.

The murder mystery is based on the award-winning novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves.

O’Donnell said the role had been the “greatest gift an actor could hope for”.

She added: “To be able to stay with the character, to allow her to grow in depth and maturity, and to be consistently rewarded and challenged by the writing and stories, has been such a rich and special experience.

“To have had the support and loyalty of our wonderful audience has meant so much. I feel so incredibly lucky to have worked with so many hugely talented people, both on and off screen.

“I grew up in this job. It has shaped me as an actor, and as a collaborator. It’s in my bones and in my heart.”

She said the Shetland Isles, where the series is set and filmed, has become “like a second home to me, and to my family”.

She added: “It’s not going to be easy to leave it all behind, but I am excited for the future, for new adventures, and to take everything I have learned and loved in Shetland forward with me, to whatever may come next.”

Filming for the 11th series is currently under way, and it will air later this year.

Gaynor Holmes, executive producer for BBC Drama, said: “Alison has been a pleasure to work with and has truly brought the character of Tosh to life over the years.

“Her warmth shines through on screen, and we will ensure Tosh is given the fitting farewell she deserves.

“We are enormously grateful to Alison for everything she has brought to Shetland and can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.”

O’Donnell’s final storyline is part of a new six-part series of Shetland, which insiders said will centre around an historic murder which will forever change the lives of all those connected in the present day.

Shetland was in the top five most-watched BBC Drama series of 2025 and is the number one BBC Drama with audiences in Scotland.

All previous series of Shetland are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.