Ashley Jensen has shared candid insights into the challenges she faces while filming the BBC drama Shetland, revealing that her role as DI Ruth Calder often “consumes” her to the point she struggles to relax.
During an interview on Good Housekeeping UK’s My Life In A Biscuit Tin podcast with host Liz Moseley, Ashley discussed her approach to the festive season and her personal quest for perfection. While she aims for a “tasteful” Christmas tree, she admits the reality often involves a bit of festive “pandemonium” behind the scenes—mirroring the pressures she feels in both life and work.
Reflecting on her professional mindset, Ashley confessed, “I think that can be quite exhausting sometimes. When I was filming Shetland earlier this year, I found it difficult to switch off and even watch other TV dramas because the role sort of consumes me.” Filming away from home in Glasgow and Shetland, she described how she often fills her downtime watching true crime or light-hearted guilty pleasures like Below Deck to cope.
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The conversation also touched upon reality TV interests, with Ashley mentioning Married at First Sight and acknowledging she hasn’t yet tried Netflix’s Love Is Blind, as suggested by Liz.
In a recent BBC Breakfast interview ahead of Shetland’s new series launch, Ashley further opened up about her immersive approach to her role. She shared that she likes to avoid knowing the identity of the culprit in the scripts until the final episodes, as trying to solve the crime herself sharpens her focus and engagement with fellow actors. She even humorously admitted to sneaking glances behind the scenes to catch guest actors possibly “doing something they shouldn’t.”
Ashley Jensen’s honesty highlights the emotional dedication required for her role on Shetland and offers a glimpse into the delicate balance actors often maintain between their characters and their personal well-being.