Shetland season nine is in full swing but what is there to know about actor Steven Robertson’s life away from the crime drama?
DI Jimmy Perez (played by Douglas Henshall) is long gone with DI Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) stepping into his shoes since 2022.
The transition has been made easier for both Calder and BBC viewers thanks to the other major stars of the show like DC Sandy Wilson (Steven Robertson) still playing an integral role.
And with the drama now back for its latest investigation, fans are curious to know more about the star behind the detective constable who has been in Shetland from the very beginning.
Unexpected first job
Not only is Steven a star of Shetland, he actually grew up in the northeast mainland of Shetland.
It was in 2018 that the 47-year-old opened up to The Herald about his rural childhood: "We had sheep – and I had my own sheep from a young age – which is something I have missed all the years I have been away.
“When I get home, especially if it is during the summer, I like to shear some sheep again."
He went on to share that his first career was far away from the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry.
"From when I was a little child I was lambing sheep and calving kye," he commented.
“After I left school my first job was as a dairyman. I milked cows and used to work summers on my uncle's farm.
“I'm very attached to the land in Shetland. All of that comes from my childhood."
Acting success
The Shetland actor studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama before landing his first major movie role opposite James McAvoy in the 2004 film Inside I’m Dancing.
Since then, he has been in a string of hit shows and movies like Shameless, Ripper Street, The Bletchley Circle, Doctor Who and The Bay.
Some of his biggest roles have been as Robert Oswald in the period drama Harlots, Dominic Rook in Being Human and Mark Bradwell in The Bay.
Family life
It was during his time at Guildhall School of Music and Drama that Steven met his future wife Charlotte Allam who was also a student.
Little is known about their relationship but they now reside in Hertfordshire together with their young daughter.
Talking of his gratitude for his training to The Belfast Telegraph in 2013, he said: “I got proper acting training, met Charlotte and made a living out of what I really like doing, I'm positive because I feel very lucky.”
Shetland family connection
The BBC drama frequently films around the area where Steven grew up, even using a family home to shoot.
Talking to The Herald, he said: "In series two we filmed on my aunt and uncle's farm on Muckle Roe.
"That was really surreal. It felt like art imitating life. I thought it was very brave of them to let a film crew use the farm, but they seemed to really enjoy it."
Shetland season nine continues every Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.