“THE BEST BBC DRAMA IN YEARS”: THE DARK, TWISTED CRIME SERIES THAT SHETLAND FANS SHOULD ADD TO THEIR WATCHLIST

Fans of Shetland looking for their next gripping mystery may have found the perfect series. With haunting Welsh landscapes, unsettling crimes and a troubled detective at its centre, Hinterland has all the ingredients of an atmospheric crime drama that keeps viewers guessing.

First broadcast on the BBC in 2014, the acclaimed series earned praise as one of the broadcaster’s best dramas in years. More than a decade later, its combination of complex investigations, compelling characters and a brooding atmosphere continues to make it a worthwhile watch for crime thriller fans.

The story follows DCI Tom Mathias, played by Richard Harrington, who leaves behind a decade-long career with the Metropolitan Police in London to start again in Aberystwyth, Wales. However, his plans for a fresh beginning quickly unravel when he is called to investigate a violent incident at an isolated chalet among the sand dunes.

With all three series available on BBC iPlayer, there is plenty of mystery to get stuck into. Here is what viewers need to know about Hinterland, from its chilling opening case to the cast bringing its troubled characters to life.

WHAT IS HINTERLAND ABOUT?

At the heart of Hinterland is DCI Tom Mathias, a gifted but deeply troubled investigator whose move to Wales follows a personal tragedy. The circumstances surrounding that tragedy are gradually explored, adding another layer to a detective who is already carrying considerable emotional baggage.

His new life gets off to an unsettling start when a brutal attack draws him into a case involving Helen Jenkins, a 64-year-old woman known for her religious faith. Initially, Helen appears to have vanished, leaving investigators with more questions than answers.

Working alongside his sharp-minded partner, DI Mared Rhys, played by Mali Harries, Mathias follows the investigation to the remote Welsh village of Devil’s Bridge. There, Helen’s body is discovered at the bottom of a deep ravine, close to the former children’s home she ran for many years.

The location soon becomes central to the investigation. To uncover the truth behind Helen’s death, Mathias must piece together the secrets surrounding the institution and the people connected to it. What initially appears to be a disturbing murder case gradually opens the door to a much more complicated history.

The first series establishes the show’s distinctive style: isolated locations, deeply buried secrets and investigations that demand patience as much as detective instinct. The Welsh setting also plays an important role, creating an atmosphere that feels both beautiful and unsettling.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE LATER SERIES?

Following the success of its first series, Hinterland returned for two more instalments, expanding both its investigations and the personal struggles facing Mathias.

Across the subsequent episodes, the detective finds himself under scrutiny from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over his conduct. Meanwhile, a devastating arson attack leaves a mother and child fighting for their lives, while the murder of a local minister provides another disturbing case for the team to investigate.

These storylines continue the series’ focus on crime that reaches beyond the immediate crime scene. The cases unfold alongside the characters’ own difficulties, ensuring that the tension is not limited to identifying a culprit.

A fourth series has yet to be commissioned, although the possibility has not been ruled out entirely. For now, viewers can explore the complete run of three series available on BBC iPlayer.

WHO STARS IN HINTERLAND?

The series is led by Richard Harrington as DCI Tom Mathias, whose complicated personal life is closely tied to his work as a detective.

The main cast includes:

• Richard Harrington as DCI Tom Mathias: Known for Bleak House and Gunpowder, Harrington plays the central detective whose troubled past follows him to Wales.
• Mali Harries as DI Mared Rhys: The quick-thinking investigator works alongside Mathias throughout the series. Harries has also appeared in The Indian Doctor and Pobol y Cwm.
• Alex Harries as DC Lloyd Elis: The detective constable is another key member of the investigative team, with credits including Creisis and Keeping Faith.
• Hannah Daniel as DS Siân Owens: Daniel, whose previous work includes Keeping Faith and Holby City, plays the detective sergeant.
• Aneirin Hughes as Chief Superintendent Brian Prosser: Hughes portrays the senior police officer overseeing the team.
• Geraint Morgan as Iwan Thomas: Morgan is also part of the principal cast, with previous credits including 35 Diwrnod and 15 Days.

The cast expands as the story develops, introducing further complications into Mathias’s personal life.

In the second series, Anamaria Marinca, known for Cameleon and Pobol y Cwm, joins the drama as Meg Mathias, Tom’s estranged wife. Her arrival brings more of the detective’s private history into focus.

The third series introduces Sian Reese-Williams, whose credits include Holby City and Hidden, as Manon, a character who could become a romantic interest for Mathias.

Together, the performances help ground the series’ darker storylines in characters whose lives extend well beyond the investigations they face.

IS THERE A TRAILER FOR HINTERLAND?

Yes. Viewers can get a first look at the series through the official trailer for its first instalment.

The trailer offers a glimpse of the show’s brooding atmosphere, dramatic Welsh scenery and the unsettling cases that await Mathias as he settles into his new role.

IS HINTERLAND WORTH WATCHING?

For anyone who enjoys slow-burning mysteries and character-driven crime dramas, Hinterland is well worth considering.

Fans have praised the series for its believable storytelling, strong performances and atmospheric approach to crime. Its combination of remote communities, complicated investigations and personal secrets should appeal to viewers who enjoy shows such as The Killing and Keeping Faith.

Like Shetland, the drama makes effective use of its location. The landscapes of Wales provide a striking backdrop to stories filled with unease, while the quieter pace allows its mysteries and characters to develop rather than rushing towards easy answers.

The result is a series suited to viewers who prefer their crime dramas to build tension gradually, with each investigation revealing another layer of the story.

It may even inspire a trip to Wales, although the fictional crimes provide a rather darker introduction to the region than most travel guides would recommend.

WHERE CAN YOU WATCH HINTERLAND?

All three series of Hinterland are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

With three series to explore, it offers a substantial run of investigations for anyone searching for a new crime drama to settle into.

WHAT SHOULD YOU WATCH NEXT?

If Hinterland leaves you wanting more mysteries set against the dramatic Welsh landscape, Under Salt Marsh is another series to consider.

The drama follows Jackie Ellis, played by Kelly Reilly, a former detective who has become a teacher. When the body of one of her students is discovered drowned, the case appears to have possible connections to a personal investigation from her past.

The series combines a disturbing mystery with unresolved questions from Jackie’s own life. Under Salt Marsh is available to watch on NOW.

Another option is His & Hers, which centres on Anna, played by Tessa Thompson, a reclusive television journalist who becomes increasingly consumed by the search for the truth behind a murder in her hometown.

As Anna investigates the case, her determination to uncover what happened drives the story forward. The series is available to stream on Netflix.

Whether you prefer the windswept landscapes and patient investigations of Hinterland, the past catching up with a former detective in Under Salt Marsh, or the obsession at the heart of His & Hers, there are plenty of options for your next crime drama marathon.