True DETECTIVES

We celebrate the crime-crackers who will be unravelling mysteries over the coming months...

- REBECCA FLETCHER, SARAH SELWOOD

PEARL NOLAN PLAYED BY KERRY GODLIMAN WHITSTABLE PEARL ACORNTV

RETURNING The coastal whodunnit, inspired by Julie Wassmer's murdermystery novel series, sails back for a much-anticipated third season with Kerry reprising her role as restaurateur and super-sleuth Pearl Nolan. The new six-part run finds her business booming, while, following a short break, a revitalised DCI Mike McGuire (Howard Charles) is back on the Kent beat and determined to make progress in his personal and professional lives. But will Pearl and Mike ever acknowledge their true feelings for each other?

Fans will be delighted to hear Frances Barber also returns as Pearl's razor-sharp mother, Dolly.

'I am so chuffed we got a chance to revisit Whitstable Pearl for a new season,' our cover star Kerry exclusively tells us.

'Pearl's shrewd, no-nonsense attitude is always a delight to play. Her tenacity knows no bounds-scoundrels don't stand a chance.'

**Whitstable Pearl Series 3 will premiere on Acorn TV from Monday 21 October

DI RUTH CALDER PLAYED BY ASHLEY JENSEN SHETLAND BBC1

RETURNING Having decided to reclaim her roots and remain in Shetland, tenacious DI Ruth Calder is back on the beat in a new six-part run revolving around a missing person. When a good friend of her partner-in-crimesolving, Alison 'Tosh' McIntosh (Alison O'Donnell), disappears, the pair are thrown into a twist-filled investigation that strains both their personal and professional relationship.

'I'm thrilled I'll be returning to the Shetland Isles again,' says Ashley, ahead of this ninth series. 'I'm excited at the prospect of unravelling more intrigue and playing the wonderfully complex DI Ruth Calder.'