ITV Studios has been commissioned by BBC 1 to produce Shetland (w/t, 2×60”), a detective drama based on the best-selling crime novels of Ann Cleeves.

Set against the backdrop of the Shetland Isles, Shetland stars Douglas Henshall (Primeval, The Kidnap Diaries, The Silence) as Detective Jimmy Perez, a native Shetlander who has returned home after a long spell away. Recently widowed Perez possesses a bone dry sense of humour and an idealistic desire to protect his beloved Shetland Isles from inevitable change.

Commenting on the project, Elaine Collins, executive producer, ITV Studios, said: “Shetland combines eccentric yet warm characters and a classic murder mystery story with the beautiful landscape and history of the Shetlands. We believe it will be hugely popular.”

Shetland is written by David Kane (The Field of Blood, Taggart, Rebus), produced by Sue de Beauvoir (Merlin, Waterloo Road) and directed by Peter Hoar (Vera, Silk, Five Days). It is executive produced by Elaine Collins (Vera) and Kate Bartlett (White Heat; The Jury) for ITV Studios and Christopher Aird for BBC Scotland (Call The Midwife, Prisoners” Wives). Shetland starts filming on location in Scotland and will transmit later in 2012.