Real Reason Behind Douglas Henshall’s Exit from Shetland—Why He Left Jimmy Perez Role After 7 Years

As Shetland gears up for its ninth season, many fans are still wondering why Douglas Henshall, who portrayed DI Jimmy Perez, chose to leave the popular BBC drama. Henshall’s character said a poignant farewell two years ago, leaving the Shetland Isles to start a new chapter after letting American artist Lloyd Anderson, suspected of a decades-old murder, go free. This noble choice forced Jimmy to step down as a detective, paving the way for DI Ruth Calder (played by Ashley Jensen) to take over.

Henshall first announced his departure from Shetland with a heartfelt message about his deep appreciation for the role and the unique setting. “It’s been one of the privileges of my career to play Jimmy Perez for almost 10 years,” he shared. “The isles were so much a part of our show and of Perez himself. I’ll miss him and the place.” He acknowledged the bond he had formed with both the crew and Shetland’s striking landscape, which played an integral role in shaping the show’s atmosphere, told Daily Record.

Reflecting on his character’s departure, Henshall later explained to the BBC that he felt Jimmy’s story had reached its natural conclusion. “It was time to find a resolution to Perez’s private life,” he noted, adding that he didn’t want to compromise the elements that made the character unique. “It felt like the right time to wrap up his story in a way that would be satisfactory to everybody.” He expressed a desire to leave Shetland on a high note, especially since he believed the show excelled within the crime genre by telling compelling stories with well-developed characters.

Since leaving the role of DI Perez, Henshall has kept busy with a series of new projects. He starred in Netflix’s action-packed series Who Is Erin Carter?, BBC’s adaptation of Murder Is Easy, and CBS’s thriller The Darkness. According to his IMDb profile, he will soon be seen in One of Us, a mystery series now in post-production, where he stars alongside Heartstopper’s Kit Connor and The Durrells’ Callum Woodhouse. The upcoming show centers on a family whose members begin mysteriously dying one by one at a funeral, with the youngest family member searching for the hidden stranger among them.

For Henshall, leaving Shetland was a bittersweet decision, but one that ultimately aligned with his goals as an actor. He wanted to explore new creative opportunities while ensuring that Jimmy Perez’s story was concluded meaningfully. With Ashley Jensen stepping into the role of DI Calder, fans of Shetland can look forward to fresh perspectives and stories, while Henshall continues to build an impressive portfolio in new genres and roles.