Douglas Henshall, 59, lands huge new role away from BBC Shetland after actor quit crime drama as Jimmy Perez
Former Shetland star Douglas Henshall has landed a pivotal role in the period drama film Angh, set in 1960s Nagaland, eastern India – an independent feature.
The Bafta-winning Scottish actor joins the production, which aims to showcase an untold chapter of Naga history.
According to the official synopsis, the film follows “a proud Konyak chief struggles to protect his dying traditions when an American missionary arrives with promises of aid that threaten his people’s identity.”
As the chief’s wife’s health deteriorates and famine looms, he and his mute son face an impossible choice between survival and staying true to their ancestral ways.
The production features an ensemble cast of first-time local actors from Nagaland, representing a milestone for Naga cinema and will be shot entirely as a 16mm film to create a textured, authentic aesthetic that enhances the storytelling.
The international crew includes Polish cinematographer Adam Pietkiewicz, with veteran line producer Niraj Kumar Pandey overseeing production logistics.
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Director Theja Rio said: “We are incredibly excited to bring this story to life. Nagaland’s history, culture, and untold narratives hold immense cinematic potential, and this film is our way of sharing them with the world.
“Shooting on 16mm, collaborating with local actors, and having Douglas Henshall as part of this journey makes this project truly special. We believe it will be a meaningful addition to the cinematic landscape.”
Producer Nancy Nisa Beso added: “This film is deeply personal to us. We are telling a story rooted in Nagaland’s history, but with themes that are universal.
“Bringing together local talent, a young international crew, and shooting on 16mm has been a rare and special experience. Having Douglas Henshall join us only strengthens our vision, and we can’t wait to share this film with the world.”
The film is expected to premiere on the international festival circuit once production has been completed, though no specific release date has been announced yet.
Angh is being produced by Winter Hymns Films, a production house from Nagaland known for award-winning short films, and Undercover Squirrel, a story-driven media company focused on amplifying diverse voices.
Henshall gained popularity as Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez in BBC’s crime drama Shetland, starring in seven seasons before stepping down in 2022.
He shared at the time of his departure, Henshall said: “It’s been one of the privileges of my career to play Jimmy Perez for almost 10 years and to work with so many wonderful people both in front of and behind the camera, and also to spend so much time in Shetland.
“The isles were so much a part of our show and of Perez himself. I’ll miss him and the place.”
In a conversation with the BBC, the actor shared: “It was time to find a resolution to Perez’s private life. I never wanted to ruin the things that were unique to him and our series so it felt like the right time to wrap up his story in a way that would be satisfactory to everybody.
“I am aware we’re not changing the world in any way, shape or form but as far as crime shows go, Shetland does really well in that genre. We tell stories that are very good, the characters are great and I wanted to go out on a high.”
Since leaving the show, he has appeared in the BBC’s Murder Is Easy, Netflix thriller Who Is Erin Carter? and Nordic noir The Darkness.
Ashley Jensen replaced him as the lead in Shetland, playing the new character DI Ruth Calder.