The wait is over for Shetland fans craving another dose of Douglas Henshall’s commanding presence. Netflix’s latest crime thriller, Black Work, a gripping three-part series that landed on the platform in April 2025, has taken the streaming world by storm, and Henshall is at the heart of its pulse-pounding intensity. Originally aired on ITV in 2015, this taut drama has found new life on Netflix, drawing in viewers with its raw emotion, shocking twists, and a powerhouse performance from Henshall as Detective Chief Superintendent Will Hepburn. Paired with Sheridan Smith’s electrifying lead role as Jo Gillespie, Black Work delivers a rollercoaster of suspense that has fans hooked from the first minute. So, what makes this series so addictive, and why is it the perfect fix for Shetland devotees?
A Dark Tale of Betrayal and Vengeance
Black Work dives headfirst into the murky waters of undercover policing and personal betrayal, set against the gritty backdrop of Leeds, England. The series follows Jo Gillespie (Sheridan Smith), a dedicated police officer whose life unravels when her husband, Ryan (Kenny Doughty), an undercover cop, is gunned down outside a derelict factory. Determined to uncover the truth behind his murder, Jo embarks on a dangerous journey that exposes corruption within the police force and secrets in her own marriage. Enter Douglas Henshall as Will Hepburn, the enigmatic Detective Chief Superintendent leading the investigation into Ryan’s death, whose polished demeanor hides a complex web of loyalties and lies.
From the opening scene—a tense, rain-soaked standoff where Ryan is shot point-blank—the series grabs viewers by the throat and doesn’t let go. Jo, a mother of two balancing her career and family, is forced to confront the fact that Ryan was living a double life, working deep undercover to infiltrate a drug ring led by the ruthless Jack Thorn (Douglas Rankine). As she digs deeper, Jo uncovers a conspiracy that implicates her colleagues, including Hepburn, whose cryptic behavior and sharp exchanges with Jo keep viewers guessing: is he a mentor, a villain, or something in between? The three-episode format, clocking in at just over two hours, ensures a breakneck pace, with each twist—from a shocking betrayal in episode two to a heart-stopping showdown in the finale—hitting like a gut punch.
Henshall’s Will Hepburn is a masterclass in understated menace. Fans of his Shetland role as DI Jimmy Perez will recognize his knack for portraying brooding, morally complex figures, but Hepburn is a different beast. Where Perez was a grieving widower with a heart of gold, Hepburn is a slick, high-ranking officer whose loyalty to the force is matched only by his instinct for self-preservation. “Henshall plays him like a coiled snake,” one X user raved. “You’re never sure if he’s going to help Jo or destroy her.” His chemistry with Smith, whose raw portrayal of Jo’s grief and rage earned her BAFTA buzz in 2015, is electric, making their scenes crackle with tension.
A Second Life on Netflix
Black Work’s arrival on Netflix in April 2025 has breathed new life into the decade-old series, capitalizing on the streaming giant’s knack for reviving hidden gems. Originally a modest hit on ITV, the show garnered praise for its tight scripting and stellar cast, with fans on social media calling it “absolutely fantastic” and “well-written” at the time. Its Netflix debut, announced with a trailer showcasing Henshall’s steely gaze and Smith’s desperate search for answers, has drawn a fresh wave of viewers, particularly Shetland fans eager to see Henshall back in detective mode. “Came across a very good three-part thriller on @netflix. #BlackWork with Sheridan Smith, Geraldine James, and Douglas Henshall. Thoroughly enjoyable!” one fan tweeted, echoing sentiments from 2015 that have resurfaced with the show’s streaming revival.
The timing couldn’t be better. With Shetland’s ninth season airing on BBC One in November 2024, led by Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder, fans have been vocal about missing Henshall’s Jimmy Perez, who exited after seven seasons in 2022. Posts on X like “Bring back Douglas Henshall, #Shetland’s not the same without him” reflect the lingering love for his soulful detective. Black Work offers a perfect antidote, showcasing Henshall in a role that’s darker and more ambiguous than Perez, yet equally compelling. “If you’re missing Jimmy Perez, watch Black Work on Netflix,” one Reddit user urged. “Henshall’s basically playing Perez’s shady cousin, and it’s chef’s kiss.”
The series’ compact format is a major draw in an era of bloated streaming shows. At three 45-minute episodes, Black Work wastes no time, delivering a complete story that feels like a feature film split into bingeable chunks. “It’s the perfect length,” one fan posted on Reddit. “No filler, just pure suspense.” The show’s gritty Leeds setting, with its rain-slicked streets and shadowy warehouses, complements the noir vibe, while Matt Squire’s cinematography and Martin Phipps’ haunting score amplify the tension. Add in a stellar supporting cast—Geraldine James as Chief Constable Carolyn Jarecki, Matthew McNulty as DC Jack Clark, and Ace Bhatti as DCI Jahan Kapoor—and you’ve got a thriller that punches above its weight.
Why It’s Unstoppable
Black Work stands out for its ability to balance personal drama with high-stakes crime. Jo’s journey is as much about her grief and disillusionment as it is about solving Ryan’s murder, making her a relatable anchor for viewers. Smith’s performance, described by one X user as “heartbreaking and badass,” grounds the series, while Henshall’s Hepburn keeps it unpredictable. His character’s murky motives—Is he protecting Jo or covering his own tracks?—fuel speculation, with fans on Reddit theorizing about his role in the conspiracy. “Henshall’s so good at playing someone you want to trust but can’t,” one user wrote, a sentiment that echoes Perez’s moral complexity.
The series also taps into timely themes of trust and betrayal within institutions. The idea of a police force riddled with corruption feels ripped from today’s headlines, and Jo’s struggle to navigate a system she once believed in resonates deeply. “It’s like Line of Duty but shorter and more personal,” one fan tweeted, drawing comparisons to the BBC’s acclaimed corruption drama. The show’s exploration of undercover policing, with its toll on families and psyches, adds emotional weight, making Ryan’s death more than just a plot device. A particularly wrenching scene in episode two, where Jo discovers Ryan’s secret communications with a mysterious contact, had fans on X gasping, “How did she not see this coming?”
Henshall’s return to the crime genre is a major draw for Shetland fans, but it’s his evolution as an actor that steals the show. Since leaving Shetland, he’s tackled diverse roles, from a sinister businessman in Netflix’s Who Is Erin Carter? to a cryptic major in BBC’s Murder Is Easy. Black Work showcases his range, blending Perez’s intensity with a colder, more calculating edge. “Henshall’s got this way of saying nothing but telling you everything with his eyes,” one Reddit user noted, pointing to a scene where Hepburn silently watches Jo unravel a key clue. His performance, paired with Smith’s, elevates the series beyond a standard police procedural.
Fan Frenzy and What’s Next
The Netflix revival has sparked a social media frenzy, with Black Work trending on X shortly after its April 2025 debut. Fans of Henshall have flooded platforms with praise, with posts like “Douglas Henshall in #BlackWork is everything I needed after Shetland” and “Sheridan Smith and Henshall together? Netflix, take my money!” The show’s 2015 reviews have resurfaced, with viewers rediscovering its 80% Rotten Tomatoes score and lauding its “outstanding” cast. Some have even called for a sequel, though creator Matt Charman has remained silent on the possibility.
For Shetland fans, Black Work is a bittersweet treat. While Henshall’s exit from the BBC series left a void—prompting pleas for his return after season eight’s “fragmented” plot—the Netflix series proves he’s still a force in crime dramas. His upcoming projects, including Paramount+’s The Revenge Club with Martin Compston and the mystery series One of Us with Heartstopper’s Kit Connor, show he’s not slowing down. “Henshall’s career is on fire,” one fan tweeted, citing his seamless transition from Shetland to global streaming platforms.
The series’ success also highlights Netflix’s knack for reviving overlooked gems. Like Your Honor and The Undoing, Black Work benefits from the streamer’s global reach, drawing in viewers who missed its ITV run. Its compact format makes it an easy binge, perfect for a weekend marathon, while its emotional depth and shocking twists ensure it lingers long after the credits roll. “Finished Black Work in one night,” one X user confessed. “Couldn’t stop watching. Henshall and Smith are unreal.”
A Thriller That Won’t Let Go
Black Work is more than just a vehicle for Douglas Henshall’s triumphant return—it’s a masterclass in taut storytelling that hooks you from the first minute and doesn’t let go. Sheridan Smith’s raw intensity and Henshall’s enigmatic performance anchor a series that blends heart-wrenching drama with edge-of-your-seat suspense. For Shetland fans mourning Jimmy Perez, it’s a chance to see Henshall in a new light, playing a character as compelling as he is unpredictable. With its corrupt cops, buried secrets, and a finale that flips everything you thought you knew, Black Work is Netflix’s latest addiction—and proof that Henshall’s star is still rising. Clear your schedule, grab your remote, and dive into a thriller so gripping you’ll be talking about it for weeks.
