Ashley Jensen reprises her role as DI Ruth Calder in the brand-new season of Shetland. The hit BBC One police drama follows the detective, who returned to Shetland in season eight, as she and DI 'Tosh' Mcintosh (Alison O'Donnell ) investigate grizzly crimes on the idyllic Scottish Islands.
While Ashley, 55, is a familiar face to households up and down the nation thanks to her extensive list of small screen credits, including Extras, Agatha Raisin and Ugly Betty, how much do you know about her life away from the cameras? Keep reading for all we know.
Ashley's home life away from the cameras
When she's not busy filming her latest drama or comedy series, Ashley resides in Bath with her son Frankie, whom she shares with her late husband, actor Terrence Beesley. The couple were married for ten years from 2007 until Terrence's tragic passing in 2017.
An inquest into his death found that the actor had taken his life. Ashley said in a statement read at the inquest in 2018: "I was extremely shocked by what happened that night and I will never ever forget it. Terry and I had been together for 18 years but I had no idea he was capable of what he did."
Ashley has been living in the UK for over a decade following a six-year stint in America. The actress moved to Los Angeles in 2006 after being offered a role in the hit US comedy-drama, Ugly Betty.
While living in America, the actress enjoyed glamorous nights out at glitzy award shows, such as the Golden Globes and the Emmys.
© Jamie Simpson"Suddenly my life was a flurry of stylists, limos and dresses – sitting there with someone painting my nails and doing my hair, and a security guard knocking on the hotel room door with diamonds for me to wear worth half a million dollars," she told The Guardian. "I found it so surreal coming from my childhood in Dumfries, especially when the first part of my career was spent doing theatre in front of a handful of people and staying in a room above a pub that stank of beer."
© Jamie SimpsonAshley returned to the UK in 2012, settling in Bath.
Opening up about her decision, Ashley told The Independent in 2013: "I've just moved to Bath, because it was one of my favourite places," adding that while she had "bounced into London for a while", she wanted to move out of the city for her young boy.
"I love the architecture, the sense of history and the fact that it's surrounded by beautiful countryside," she said.
Ashley's love life and marriage to Vera star
In August last year, Ashley tied the knot with Vera star Kenny Doughty, 49.
© Amy Muir/ShutterstockThe wedding reportedly took place at Priston Mill, an idyllic property in the Duchy of Cornwall's Newton Park Estate.
While it's not known when the couple started dating, speculation surrounding their relationship first began when the pair were photographed holding hands while on a night out in Bath in August 2021. Ashley was also spotted wearing a ring on her left hand during an appearance on the Graham Norton Show in November last year.
© Ian WestWhile it's not confirmed, it's likely that the actors first crossed paths whilst both starring in the BBC One drama, Love, Lies and Records, which first aired in 2017.
© BBCThe series follows Leeds-based registrar Kate Dickenson as she juggles her personal life with the daily dramas of births, marriages, deaths and relationships. Ashley starred in the lead role, while Kenny played her love interest and colleague, Rick Severs.
