Warning: this article contains minor spoilers for BBC One’s Shetland series seven, episode two.

When a BBC One series is on its seventh season, you know it’s cracked the formula of what makes great TV. Shetland is not only a completely enthralling take on the murder mystery genre, it’s also set against the stunning backdrop of the Shetland Islands in Scotland.

And while the drama has been beloved by many since its premiere back in 2013, this seventh series has been confirmed as actor Douglas Henshall’s last. Henshall has played the leading role of DI Jimmy Perez since the TV adaptation of the novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves first aired. But after nearly a decade in the role, Henshall is bidding farewell to the thriller.

Following the announcement, fans were understandably upset, but going into the new series has also brought up the question: how will Shetland continue without Henshall at the helm? It’s already been confirmed that the popular crime drama will return for an eighth series in 2023, with a new lead set to be announced in due course, so all eyes are on the new series for any Easter eggs or clues.

BBC One’s Shetland: why everyone’s talking about Douglas Henshall in the new series of the murder mystery thriller