Mickel Clark
Shetland is back with another season, and this time the hype is real. The eighth season of the popular British series Shetland has been released on BBC in the UK and on BirtBox in the USA and Canada.
The first episode is streaming right now on the above-mentioned streaming platforms, and the remaining will be released on a weekly basis.
We have done our research, and here is everything you need to know about the series, including where and how to watch Shetland Season 8 in Canada for free.
How to watch Shetland Season 8 in Canada for free?
The first episode of Shetland has been released on BBC in the UK. As we all know, BBC and BBCiPlayer is a free-to-air streaming service only accessible in the UK.
You will need a reliable VPN to access it and watch Shetland Season 8 from Canada. Here are the steps you need to follow.
1- Get ExpressVPN to unblock BBC (12+3 month special deal with a 30day money-back guarantee)
2- Download the VPN app on your preferred device (ExpressVPN works on Android, iOS, Linux, and Windows)
3- Select the British IP address from the country list
4- Now open BBC.com on your browser or in the app
5- Search Shetland Season 8 on BBC from Canada
6- Enjoy
Why do you need a VPN to watch Shetland Season 8 in Canada?
Shetland Season 8 is streaming on BBC, which is only accessible from the UK. A VPN helps you to virtually change your IP address to another country’s IP so you can easily access geo-restricted websites and streaming platforms.
We tested ExpressVPN to watch Shetland Season 8 from Canada, and it worked perfectly, so we watched the first episode of Shetland Season 8. We also tested NordVPN and Surfshark to unblock BBC and they also worked and provided a lag-free streaming experience.
Why is ExpressVPN a good choice?
ExpressVPN is highly recommended for accessing BBC in Canada or other countries outside the UK. Major review sites like Techradar, VPNmentor, and Wizcase all rank it as the top VPN.
We tested it out ourselves and can confirm — that ExpressVPN easily unblocks BBC abroad. We streamed shows like Planet Earth 3 on BBCiPlayer without any problems from multiple countries. One teammate even used it to watch BBC perfectly while vacationing in Australia.
An annual ExpressVPN plan costs just $6.67/month, thanks to a 49% discount. You also get 12 months + 3 free months and a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a solid value. Unlike many VPNs, ExpressVPN provides 24/7 customer support.
ExpressVPN uses robust security features like MediaDNS Server and Lightway protocol, which is perfect for watching movies and TV shows on BBC and ITV.
A single ExpressVPN account can secure up to 8 devices. It has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone, and more. We used it to binge Mayan M.C. on iPhone with no problems.
We tried NordVPN and Surfshark too, but for speed, ease of use, compatibility, and security, ExpressVPN is top-tier for streaming Hulu anywhere.
Shetland Season 8 release date
Shetland Season 8 was released on November 1, 2023 on BBC iPlayer in the UK. The series is also available on BritBox in Canada and the US. However, if you want to watch Shetland Season 8 for free from Canada or anywhere outside the UK. We recommend getting a reliable VPN and following the above-mentioned steps.
The series has been nominated for several awards and won BAFTA Scotland for Best Television Drama and Best Actor – Television in 2016. On IMDb, Shetland has received a whopping 8.3/10 rating. If you like watching British shows, watch Malory Towers, Wisting, The Gold, and Fort Salem on BBC.
Shetland Season 8 trailer
Why is Shetland so popular?
Shetland is one of the most watched shows on BBC. The British series has attracted millions of viewers in the UK, and the last season was watched by approximately 6 million Brits.
The series has a dynamic story with enigmatic characters blended perfectly, which makes it one of the best British shows to watch from Canada or USA. Season 8 started off by replacing the main character Douglas Henshall’s DI Jimmy Perez, who played the prominent character of Shetland for seven seasons.
The production team cleverly replaces Shetland by adding new characters to the series with different stories. Now, coming to the question — Why is Shetland so popular?
Shetland follows Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez as he investigates major crimes within the close-knit island community of the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland. Perez often has to navigate the complexities of small town life and politics while pursuing cases involving murder, deception, and secrecy among the islanders.
Originally working with his partner DS Asha Israni, Perez later teams up with the more experienced DI Duncan Hunter after Israni leaves the islands. Some of Perez’s key cases involve investigating the murder of a young archaeologist, a missing environmental activist, a slain wildlife crime officer, and an unexplained death that may be linked to human trafficking.
Throughout the series, Perez deals with challenges to his authority from higher-ranking police officials who get involved in cases on Shetland. He also confronts issues in his personal life, including the death of his long-time partner and raising her troubled teen daughter.
Perez is an intuitive, tenacious detective who has a deep connection to the islands and their people. The dramatic landscapes of Shetland provide an evocative backdrop for the dark crimes and secrets that Perez uncovers.
Shetland Season 8
The season begins in London, where Ellen Quinn and her friend Kirsty are at a bar trying to get a man very drunk. The next scene shows the man, Philip Remis, dead in his home with a bullet in his head.
Detective Inspector Ruth Calder is investigating. Remis was a police informant, providing information about a criminal named Cassidy. Calder believes Cassidy found out Remis was informing on him and had him killed.
The summary introduces the characters Ellen Quinn, Kirsty, Philip Remis, and Detective Inspector Ruth Calder. It also mentions a criminal called Cassidy. Remis was informing on Cassidy to the police before being murdered, likely because Cassidy discovered he was an informant.
Remis’s apartment was also burgled. Calder finds evidence linking the burglary to Ellen and Kirsty – specifically to Kirsty, since Ellen got scared and went back home to Shetland for safety.
Since Ellen may be an important witness in Remis’s murder, Calder is sent to Shetland to bring her back. Coincidentally, Calder is originally from Shetland, which she is unhappy about returning to.
The rephrasing summarizes that Remis’s apartment was burgled, likely by Ellen and her friend Kirsty. Ellen fled to her home in Shetland out of fear. Detective Calder traces the burglary to them, and is sent to retrieve Ellen from Shetland as a witness. Calder is reluctantly returning to her hometown of Shetland.
Meanwhile in Shetland, Tosh has become an accomplished detective under Perez’s training. She is now the acting DI, investigating a case of animal mutilation.
Tosh learns a DI from London named Calder is coming to find a witness. Since Calder has no jurisdiction in Shetland, she’ll have to report to Tosh.
Tosh and Calder have very different backgrounds and experiences. Calder seems unfriendly on arrival and just wants to quickly find the witness Ellen and leave. She doesn’t want to discuss growing up in Shetland.
At first, Tosh and Calder are professional but frustrated with each other’s methods. Calder thinks Tosh undermines herself by saying she’s the “Temporary DI.” Tosh throws Calder out of an interview for overstepping.
But their partnership shows potential. As the series goes on, it’s satisfying to see Tosh and Calder develop an effective rhythm together.
The plot this season takes surprising twists and turns. It has genuine tense and shocking moments. But the cast still gives moving, emotional performances that make you care about the case.
Even without Perez, there is always a lot happening. Calder feels like an addition to the show rather than just a replacement for Perez. This is a smart approach.
The rephrasing summarizes that the plot is unpredictable and impactful. The cast gives strong performances that make the case feel important. Calder adds to the show rather than just replacing Perez. Overall, the season is exciting and well done.
Where to watch Shetland Season 8 in Canada?
Shetland Season 8 is available on BritBox in Canada and USA. However, if you want to watch it for free, get a reliable VPN to change your IP to a British IP and watch Shetland Season 8 on BBC from Canada or USA.
A few seasons of Shetland are also available on Amazon Prime in Canada and on Roku in USA.
Why does Perez leave Shetland?
Fans wondering what happened to Jimmy Perez will be relieved to know he did not meet a bad end. Perez simply decided he was ready to retire from police work.
The rephrasing summarizes that Jimmy Perez did not die offscreen. He chose to retire from his detective job for unspecified reasons. Fans who liked Perez can be assured he is alive and well.
Wrap Up
Looking to watch Shetland Season 8 in Canada for free? Well you can with a VPN. The series premiered on BBC in UK and is available for free streaming.
You can watch BBC in Canada with a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN. We tested ExpressVPN to access BBC from USA and Canada, and it worked perfectly with its highly optimized servers in the UK. Therefore we highly recommend it to all our readers and British TV fans in Canada.
