Death in Paradise’s Ralf Little ‘tipped’ to replace beloved BBC detective after exit
Alison O'Donnell has confirmed her exit from BBC crime drama Shetland after more than a decade playing DS Tosh McIntosh - but who could replace her?
Death in Paradise star Ralf Little as DI Neville Parker.(Image: BBC)
Ralf Little is the current favourite to replace Tosh in the BBC series, Shetland. Alison has played DS Alison “Tosh” McIntosh since 2013. However, after more than a decade, Alison has decided to depart Shetland in search of new acting opportunities.
While the BBC has yet to confirm the future of the series or whether Tosh will be succeeded by another detective, bookmakers have shared their latest odds regarding who could step into the beloved character’s role.
Ralf, who portrayed Detective Neville Parker in Death in Paradise, has been handed exclusive odds of 7/1 by Betway. Another name in the running is Doc Martin star Martin Clunes, at 10/1.
One surprising name thrown into the mix is Douglas Henshall, who played Jimmy Henshall in Shetland before being succeeded by Ashley Jensen’s Ruth Calder, and is also tipped for a return with odds of 12/1, reports the Mirror.
Ralf Little is the current frontrunner to replace Tosh in Shetland(Image: BBC)
Former Shetland star Mark Bonnar has been given odds of 14/1 to replace Tosh, while Martin Compston has odds of 20/1, James Nesbitt has odds of 25/1, and David Tennant has odds of 33/1.
When speaking about her decision to bow out of the show, Alison said, “Playing Tosh has been the greatest gift an actor could hope for. To be able to stay with the character, to allow her to grow in depth and maturity, and to be consistently rewarded and challenged by the writing and stories, has been such a rich and special experience.
“And to have had the support and loyalty of our wonderful audience has meant so much. I feel so incredibly lucky to have worked with so many hugely talented people both on and off screen.”
Alison O’Donnell is leaving Shetland after 13 years(Image: BBC)
She emotionally added, “I grew up in this job. 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.”
Alison’s concluding storyline features in a new six-part series of Shetland, which revolves around a historic murder that will permanently alter the lives of all those connected in the present day.
Alison and Ashley Jensen, who plays DI Ruth Calder, will be joined by a host of returning faces, among them Steven Robertson, Lewis Howden, Samuel Anderson, Steven Miller, Anne Kidd, Angus Miller, Connor McCarry, and Eubha Akilade.
