Lorraine: Ashley Jensen confirms another series of Shetland
Shetland season nine welcomes back DI Ruth Calder, played by Ashley Jensen, as she delves into a double missing person's case but what other roles has this Scottish actress taken on?
Fans of the BBC series were heartbroken when it was announced that Douglas Henshall, who plays DI Jimmy Perez, would be leaving the show. Many questioned how the drama could continue without its leading man.
Despite these doubts, Shetland is flourishing with DI Ruth Calder at its core, most recently investigating the disappearance of Annie Brett (Sarah MacGillivray) and her son Noah.
Jensen is no newcomer to television, boasting an impressive portfolio of high-profile series over her 34-year career.
Raised in Dumfries and educated in drama at Edinburgh's Queen Margaret University, Jensen made her screen debut in the series City Lights in 1990.
She then secured minor roles in projects such as Screen One, Rab C Nesbitt, The Tales of Para Hardy, and Capital Lives.
Her first significant recurring role came in 1994 as Heather in the oil rig drama Roughnecks.
Subsequent appearances in Bad Boys, The Bill, Dangerfield, and Mortimer's Law led to a two-year run on City Central in 1998 alongside actors Paul Nicholls and Dave Hill.
Roles in EastEnders, Clocking Off Silent Witness, Casualty, and Eleventh Hour followed, but it wasn't until 2005 that she collaborated with actor and comedian Ricky Gervais.
The actress shared the screen with The Office's creator in the unforgettable sitcom Extras, playing Maggie Jacobs for two seasons. The duo portrayed background actors yearning for their big break.
Their on-screen chemistry didn't end there. From 2019 to 2022, she teamed up again with Ricky for his Netflix sensation After Life, playing Emma, the nurse and love interest of his character.
Jensen also left a mark in the sitcom Ugly Betty, portraying Christina McKinney, a seamstress and confidante of Betty Suarez, for four years.
In recent times, the Scottish talent has gravitated towards drama over comedy, featuring in series like The Reckoning, Love, Lies and Records, Catastrophe, and the 2022 release Mayflies.
Shetland season nine continues every Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
