Shetland crime series

Sunset at the coast
Photo taken by Emma Williamson

NHS Shetland is delighted to see the new series of the popular crime drama Shetland is back on our screens.

NHS Shetland is delighted to see the new series of the popular crime drama Shetland is back on our screens. Over the years, several of our staff have had the pleasure of supporting the production team on set, sharing their expertise and local knowledge. We were also pleased to provide research advice during the early development of the current series’ script, helping to ensure authenticity in its portrayal of healthcare and community life in Shetland.

Read on to hear from two of our colleagues, Wendy and Emma, about their experiences working with the Shetland team.

In November 2024, Wendy Henderson, Alcohol and Drug Development Officer at NHS Shetland, was approached by the script editor of Shetland Season 10 for support in understanding the drug trends in the northern isles. Wendy explained, “Being contacted to feed into this television series was a really great opportunity. It meant I was able to provide further depth, comprehension, and background support for the script. It was crucial to share the reality of substance use in Shetland, the self-stigma that individuals can have, and the stigma that family and friends can experience. I was really pleased that the scripting team respected this and made the time to speak with me and colleagues about this really important issue, so that we could share our expertise and feed into the research.

“We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. However, the patterns of drug use seen across mainland Scotland are also reflected here in Shetland. We are no different. The reality of living in a small island community when you experience problems with alcohol and drugs can be incredibly challenging, especially when everyone knows who you are. However, we do have a number of support services and community groups available to help anyone at any age or stage. Folk can visit the Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership for advice and links to support services. Individuals and their families can receive support at the Recovery Hub and Community Network, Pitt Lane, in Lerwick and the NHS Substance Support and Recovery Service at Lerwick Health Centre.”

For a few weeks every year, Emma Williamson, Senior Staff Nurse at the Gilbert Bain Hospital, uses her annual leave to join the production team.

She has supported the production across nine of the ten series as the location medic, accompanying crews throughout the isles — often to some of the most remote locations — providing satellite medical support by boat, quad bike, or even tractor.

Emma shared an insight into her role behind the camera lens; she said, “Being part of the filming of Shetland has been a real privilege. Each year, the production crew welcome me back as part of their family. It always reminds me of our close knit team at the Gilbert Bain Hospital, where there are so many moving parts and talented individuals, all coming together for a greater purpose.

“It’s certainly an intense few weeks with being the nurse on set, but I try to be available to all members of the crew and help with any medical needs and provide signposting to other health, social or wellbeing information and services. I receive great support from other nurses, colleagues and the Scottish Ambulance Service. For me, the most important aspect of my role is to be a listening ear to all. I’ve also enjoyed introducing my new friends to some of the local cuisine, amazing crafts, spectacular nature and sea swimming spots.”

Originally from Fetlar, Emma feels that her experience of growing up and then working in some of the outer isles, such as Fair Isle, has provided her with a degree of resilience in challenging medical situations. She said: “The realities of island life cannot be underestimated. A knowledge of the environment, wild weather and delivery of primary and secondary care services has certainly, I think, been of help to the production team. Delivering high-quality care in isolated environments, where access to specialist facilities is limited, is something that all individuals who work for NHS Shetland strive to do. I enjoy the challenge!

“I was blide to be able to provide some local insights as well. For example, I was happy to support the film directors if they asked for help with the pronunciation of certain words or phrases in Shaetlan, the Shetland dialect. I could also help the props team with sourcing wooden fish boxes!

“I’ve made some wonderful friends, and feel proud to have played a small part in this much loved television series.”

As someone who openly shares that she hardly ever watches television programmes or films, Emma certainly couldn’t fail to recognise one name. She shared: “It was a few years ago, and I was supporting the safety team while they were filming on a mussel site. One of the divers was rubbing a fluid into his goggles so that they didn’t steam up. As a keen sea swimmer, I was interested to find out what he was doing. He said that it was baby shampoo, and it was a trick that he used while filming with Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible.”

If you need support after viewing various subject matters in the series, you can reach out to the following services:

Tuesday, 11th November 2025