{"id":41236,"date":"2023-12-06T23:00:16","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T22:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1938821"},"modified":"2023-12-07T03:03:22","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T02:03:22","slug":"shetland-season-8-ending-explained-is-ruth-staying","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/shetland-season-8-ending-explained-is-ruth-staying\/","title":{"rendered":"Shetland season 8 ending explained: Is Ruth staying?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What does the future hold for DI Calder? <\/p>

By Abby Robinson\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 06 December 2023 at 22:00 PM<\/p>

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The Shetland<\/a> writers had primed viewers for an emotional finale when it emerged that Ellen had been killed by a member of her own family, but the truth behind what had happened and why was far more devastating than anyone could have anticipated.<\/p>\n

Read on for a comprehensive breakdown of Shetland season 8\u2019s ending.<\/p>\n

Shetland season 8 ending explained: Who killed Ellen, and why?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Ellen\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Maisie Seaton as Ellen Quinn in Shetland.<\/span><\/figcaption> ITV Studios\/Mark Mainz<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Grace and Bobby were arrested in the finale, with both mother and son refusing to explain the mystery surrounding 17th September, the anniversary of the death of Grace\u2019s husband Kenny.<\/p>\n

Following his passing, the family would gather annually to commemorate his life, but something major occurred the last time they were all together, which prompted Ellen to block Bobby\u2019s number and move to London. The only contact between the pair during the past seven months was a ferocious argument that took place when Bobby visited her in the English capital.<\/p>\n

But Bobby, nor his mother, were responsible for killing Ellen, although their actions certainly didn\u2019t protect her.<\/p>\n

In a devastating twist, it was revealed that Kieran, Ellen\u2019s father, had murdered her.<\/p>\n

When she returned to the farm on the night of her death, Kieran saw her walking up the driveway. He asked her to stay so they could address her problems as a family, but she refused. She also wouldn\u2019t tell him what had happened to her, so they went for a ride instead.<\/p>\n

Eventually, Ellen confided in him about the mess she was in with Howell and Nowak but after learning the truth, he decided to take her to the police station. She protested, demanding that he let her out of the car, but Kieran refused, which is when a furious Ellen delivered a shocking revelation: her uncle Bobby is also her biological father.<\/p>