A Vera star and a Gavin and Stacey icon will join the upcoming Shetland series in an exciting show announcement. Samuel Anderson, famed for his role as Fingers in the hit BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, will be stepping into the shoes of the new Procurator Fiscal Matt Blake.

Meanwhile, Frances Grey, known for her role in Vera as Olivia Palmer, will also join the BBC Scottish drama cast. The police drama welcomes Ashley Jensen and Alison O'Donnell back, reprising their roles as lead detectives DI Ruth Calder and DI Alison 'Tosh' MacIntosh.

In a tantalising glimpse at what's to come, the synopsis for the upcoming series reveals: "Calder and Tosh travel to the isolated hamlet of Lunniswick to investigate the sinister killing of an elderly woman."

It continues, hinting at a chilling discovery: "The team discover that the body of the retired social worker has been out in the elements for a number of days.

"The case will see Tosh and Calder excavate the victim's life, past and present, as well as the lives of those who knew her," reports .

"They soon begin to uncover dark secrets and terrible deeds at the heart of this close-knit community."

Anticipation builds for the new series, which is slated for release later this year. It will introduce a host of fresh talent, including Clive Russell, celebrated for his comedic roles in Still Game and Rab C Nesbitt, Ellie Haddington from the BBC drama Guilt, and Niall MacGregor of Line of Duty fame.

Greg McHugh, Louise Brealey, Stuart Townsend, Stephen McMillan, Saskia Ashdown, and Lila Rose will join the ensemble, adding to the excitement of the show's return.

Outlander's Joanne Thomson, Gabriel Akuwudike, and Leigh Biagi join the esteemed cast. Returning series regulars include Steven Robertson as DC Sandy Wilson, Lewis Howden as Sgt Billy McCabe, Anne Kidd as pathologist Cora McLean, Angus Miller as Donnie, Conor McCarry as PC Alex Grant, and Eubha Akilade as PC Lorna Burns.

BBC Commissioning Editor Gaynor Holmes commented on the new series: "Now in its tenth series, Shetland continues to go from strength to strength and is loved by audiences across the UK and internationally.

"We're very excited to see the fantastic creative team at Silverprint and their superbly talented cast and crew heading back into production with a compellingly new, gnarly and emotional murder-mystery."

Silverprint Pictures' Executive Producer Kate Bartlett added: "We're so excited about this new series of Shetland with Ashley and Alison, alongside our wonderful returning cast and a fantastic guest cast.

"Paul Logue has created a distinctive and emotionally complex story, set against the stunning and evocative landscape of the Shetland Isles. We're thrilled to be making this new series with such incredible Scottish talent in all areas of production."

Shetland is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.