Fan favourite Tosh to leave Shetland TV show after 13 years

Fan favourite Tosh to leave Shetland TV show after 13 years3 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBBCAlison O'Donnell says the islands are "in my bones and in my heart"The actress who plays Tosh in BBC drama Shetland is to leave the show after 13 years, it has been announced. Alison O'Donnell was part of the original cast of the crime drama, alongside Douglas Henshall and Mark Bonar. The programme, which began in 2013, was the first TV adaptation of the award-winning novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves. O'Donnell's final storyline will feature in the next six-part series of Shetland, which is currently being filmed and due to air later this year. Tosh and Ruth Calder have teamed up to solve crime on later series of ShetlandTosh was the nickname for Det Sgt Alison McIntosh, who worked with Det Insp Jimmy Perez (Henshall) to solve crime in Shetland. After Henshall's departure from the series, Tosh was promoted to DI and joined by Ugly Betty star Ashley Jensen as Det Insp Ruth Calder. O'Donnell said she wanted to explore other acting opportunities. "I grew up in this job," she said. "It has shaped me as an actor, and as a collaborator. It's in my bones and in my heart. As are the isles themselves, which have become like a second home to me, and to my family. "It's not going to be easy to leave it all behind, but I am excited for the future, for new adventures, and to take everything I have learned and loved in Shetland forward with me, to whatever may come next."Paying tribute to the audience, cast and writers, she added: "Playing Tosh has been the greatest gift an actor could hope for."Gaynor Holmes, executive producer for BBC Drama, said O'Donnell had been a "pleasure to work with". "Her warmth shines through on screen, and we will ensure Tosh is given the fitting farewell she deserves," she added. Kate Bartlett, executive producer of production company...