Shetland viewers have raged that the show is ‘going downhill fast’ and complained they’re ‘struggling’ with the ‘plodding and naff’ new BBC series.

The crime drama, which recently returned for its ninth season, follows DI Ruth Calder and DI ‘Tosh’ McIntosh as they investigate the sudden disappearance of Tosh’s friend, Annie Bett.

Annie’s sudden disappearance sent shockwaves and panic through the village as things took a gruesome turn when her body was discovered at a construction site owned by her estranged husband Ian, alongside the body of Anton Bergen.

Her son Noah, who narrowly escaped the fatal scene, may be the only one who witnessed his mother’s death and could help solve the mystery.

During Wednesday night’s episode, Calder and Tosh tried to rake through Annie’s past for clues, but it turned out to be a lot harder than they thought.

Later on, Tosh received a frosty welcome from a group of locals gathered at the pub who were angry at her for arresting Ian, Annie’s estranged husband.

Shetland viewers have raged that the show is ‘going downhill fast’ and complained they’re ‘struggling’ with the ‘plodding and naff’ new BBC series

Alison O’Donnell as DI Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh in the new season of BBC crime drama Shetland

Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder and Alison O’Donnell as DI Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh in Shetland

Ian was released from custody after Joni, one of Annie’s friends, acted as an alibi, telling Tosh they were together the night Annie died because they had been having an affair. 

The lab results also proved that the blood on Ian’s shirt was not Annie’s.

Meanwhile Calder found herself becoming attached to Annie’s son Noah, who had been suffering with panic attacks and hadn’t spoken since he witnessed his mother’s murder.

The detective is now tasked with getting as much information out of the traumatised and mute child to help solve the murder.

But despite the show being jam packed with drama, some fans are feeling let down by the latest season.

Taking to social media to express their disappointment, one wrote: ‘Urgh. #Shetland went downhill fast.’

Another said: ‘Modern dramas are so plodding and naff #Shetland’.

‘Struggling a bit with this series… #Shetland’, a third posted.

However, not all viewers felt the same as some were impressed with the ninth season.

One wrote: ‘Thoroughly enjoying BBC One’s Shetland. Still got that edge, which is great to see. With unexpected plot turns… Fantastic performances from everyone.’

A second said: ‘#Shetland delivers another belter of an episode…and again, stand out performance for the young lad playing Noah. Scotland’s next big star!’

‘This 9th series of #Shetland is turning out to be pretty well made imo [in my opinion’, another fan posted.

Shetland airs Wednesdays at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.