Where to Watch Shetland (TV Series): Season 9 & Earlier

‘Shetland’ has been on television screens since 2013, starting with DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) as the lead inspector for Lerwick Police Station in the Shetland Islands. DI Ruth Calder stepped in last season, and she’s back with the rest of the team for season 9. If you’re wondering how and where to watch ‘Shetland’ (TV series) for free, this guide is for you.

While ‘Shetland’ isn’t unknown outside the U.K., other countries have to wait a little longer for new seasons. Season 9 is available on BBC iPlayer and Apple TV+ in the U.K., but those who watch it on Britbox or other streaming services will have to wait longer. 

Thankfully, though, you can use a VPN (virtual private network) to bypass BBC iPlayer’s geoblocks and access the ninth season of ‘Shetland’ for free. We’ve got complete steps using the best VPN, NordVPN, in this guide.

Release Date: Shetland Season 9 

The ‘Shetland’ season 9 release date is Wednesday, November 6 in the U.K. on BBC iPlayer and Apple TV+. Those waiting to watch season 9 on Britbox or other services in other countries will have to wait a little longer. We don’t yet have a confirmed release date, but it will likely be sometime towards the end of 2024.

Where Is Shetland Streaming in the U.S., U.K. & More? 

There are a few places you can stream ‘Shetland,’ but BBC iPlayer in the U.K. is the best option. That’s because it’s free and you can watch season 9. We’ve listed all of the streaming services that have ‘Shetland’ available in the table below.

Is Shetland on Netflix?

No, we didn’t find ‘Shetland’ on Netflix. That doesn’t mean it will never be available on the service, though. Copyright and distribution agreements are constantly changing, so Netflix may get the rights to the show at some point. If it does, it could be in a particular country, which is why it’s a good idea to check different Netflix regions from time to time. 

How to Watch Shetland Free Online With a VPN

If you’re after some free ‘Shetland’ streaming, US viewers and others around the globe will need to use a VPN to access BBC iPlayer in the U.K. Don’t worry, though. It’s an easy process and we walk you through the steps below.   

1. Subscribe to a VPN Service

   Sign up for a VPN like NordVPN via its website. You can use the money-back guarantee to get a refund when you’re finished. Just bear in mind that it lasts 30 days.

   

2. Install the VPN App

   Download the VPN software for your device and install it. Then, launch the app and log into your account.

   

3. Connect to a U.K. Server

   Find and connect to a server in the U.K. NordVPN’s servers are handily displayed on a map, as well as a list at the side. Click on the server you want to connect to it.

   

4. Create a Free BBC iPlayer Account

   Go to BBC iPlayer and create a free account. Note that you’ll need to provide a valid email for verification and a U.K. postcode — you can use a random one from a search engine.

   

5. Start Streaming ‘Shetland’

   Search for ‘Shetland’ on BBC iPlayer and start streaming it for free.

   

The Best VPNs to Stream Shetland Online

While streaming isn’t a hard task in itself, bypassing geoblocks can be unless you have the right tool. Not just any VPN can access streaming services abroad, but the ones we’ve listed below have excellent track records. Plus, they have fast speeds to help with buffering and servers in the U.K. Each recommendation comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee that you can take advantage of.

1. NordVPN — The best VPN overall with the fastest speeds. You’ll have no problem accessing streaming services with NordVPN and there are thousands of servers to choose from in an easy-to-use app. The two-year plan works out the best and you can read our full NordVPN review to learn more.
2. Surfshark — A feature-rich VPN for those on a budget — it’s the cheapest of the three. It has fast speeds, thousands of servers and can easily bypass geoblocks. It’s also easy to use and allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Check out our Surfshark review for more information.
3. ExpressVPN — If you’re a beginner, ExpressVPN’s app is the easiest to get to grips with. It’s also fast, can unblock streaming services and has a large server network. That said, its price is pretty high. The annual plan provides a discount, though, and our ExpressVPN review reveals why it’s a great option.

Best Free VPN to Stream Shetland: PrivadoVPN

If you want a VPN that you never have to pay for, PrivadoVPN is a great option. It’s secure, accesses streaming services with ease, has decent speeds and is user-friendly. However, being free, there are some restrictions. You only have access to 10 countries from its server list and you’re limited to 10GB of data per month. 

Still, there is a free U.K. server for watching ‘Shetland’ and while the 10GB of data won’t allow you to stream much in HD, you could watch in standard definition (SD) or spread streaming the ‘Shetland’ episodes over a longer time. Our PrivadoVPN review goes into more detail.

Shetland Cast, Characters & Plot (No Spoilers)

‘Shetland’ is based on the book series by Ann Cleeves. The novels were adapted for the television series by David Kane, and from season 1 through season 7, DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) is the lead character. After that, Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) stepped in as the new Detective Inspector. 

The series is based in the Shetland Islands and although the Isles are calm with a close-knit island community, mysteries and crimes including murder are never too far away. Both DI Jimmy Perez and DI Ruth Calder, as well as the rest of the team, have their work cut out for them as they dig up secrets from the past and find gruesome discoveries. The mysteries continue with season 9. Here’s the cast list.

How Many Seasons of Shetland Are There? 

There are currently nine seasons of ‘Shetland,’ with season 9 having been released in November this year. Plus, the BBC has renewed ‘Shetland’ for season 10, which will likely premiere in November 2025.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide helps you stream ‘Shetland’ from wherever you are. It’s super easy once you know how and you have the right tool under your belt. 

NordVPN is the best choice for streaming and its 30-day money-back guarantee not only provides peace of mind, it also means you can get a refund once you’ve finished with it. 

Have you read the Ann Cleeves novels or have you only watched the television series? Where will you stream ‘Shetland?’ Will you need to use a VPN? If so, let us know which VPN in the comment section. As always, thank you for reading.

FAQ: Where Can I Watch Shetland?

• Is ‘Shetland’ on Netflix or Amazon Prime?

  No, ‘Shetland’ is not on Netflix, but we did find it on Amazon Prime Video in Austria. However, there are only six seasons available there.

• Where Can I watch ‘Shetland’ All Seasons?

  All seasons of ‘Shetland,’ including season 9, are available on BBC iPlayer (free) and Apple TV+ in the U.K. If you’re not in the country and want to access season 9, you can use a VPN.

• Where Can I Watch ‘Shetland’ for Free in the USA?

  The best way to watch ‘Shetland’ for free in the U.S. is by using a VPN and accessing the series on BBC iPlayer in the U.K. Alternatively, ‘Shetland’ is on Britbox in the U.S. and it offers a free trial.

• Where Can I Watch Old Episodes of ‘Shetland?’

  All previous seasons of ‘Shetland’ are available on BBC iPlayer (U.K. and free), Britbox (U.S., Canada and Australia), AMC+ (New Zealand) and Apple TV+ (U.K., U.S., Canada, Australia and more).