Latest news with #OrkneyAssassin:MurderintheIsles
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC Shetland fans told to binge new series following real Scottish island murder
The new documentary on Amazon Prime Video is a must-watch for fans of the BBC's Shetland Viewers who enjoy the BBC crime drama Shetland are advised to watch a forthcoming Amazon Prime Video documentary that delves into the real-life account of a murder in the Scottish islands. The Orkney Assassin: Murder in the Isles, a new feature-length documentary, will premiere on the streaming service later this week. The documentary recounts the shocking tale of a cold-blooded murder in Scotland and follows a family determined to secure their son Michael Ross's release from prison. According to Amazon Prime Video's synopsis: "One summer evening in 1994, a masked man walked calmly into the only Indian restaurant in the remote Orkney Islands and shot a waiter dead before disappearing into the night. "The murder remained unsolved for years, until new evidence emerged, resulting in an unexpected arrest that stunned the local community. "Featuring powerful new testimony, this twist-filled true crime documentary explores one of Scotland's most contentious cases." An exclusive preview shared with Reach hints at what's to come, with a "twist in the tale that nobody saw coming". The footage reveals that Michael Ross made a daring escape attempt from court in dramatic scenes, reports the Express. KC Brian McConnachie remarks: "I've been doing this for 40 years and I have never seen such a dramatic end to a trial." Former journalist Bob Dow adds: "It was so bizarre, it was so surreal, you couldn't make this up. "If you wrote this as a Hollywood movie script, no one would believe you. They would say it was unimaginable." While The Orkney Assassin is based on a real-life case and Shetland is purely fictional, BBC viewers may still find this series appealing due to its familiar themes and Scottish island setting. BBC's Shetland is a crime drama set predominantly on the eponymous archipelago, having first aired in March 2013. The series, adapted by David Kane, is based on the novels of Ann Cleeves and has previously bagged the award for Best TV Drama from BAFTA Scotland. The initial seven series starred Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Pérez, while Ashley Jensen took on the role of DI Ruth Calder from series 8. Whilst a release date for series 10 hasn't been confirmed, Shetland is anticipated to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Shetland fans must watch jaw-dropping series about real life Scottish island murder
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Fans of the BBC's crime drama Shetland are being encouraged to tune into a forthcoming Amazon Prime Video drama that delves into the true story of a murder in the Scottish isles. The Orkney Assassin: Murder in the Isles, a fresh feature documentary, will be available on the streaming service later this week. The film unravels the chilling tale of a ruthless murder in Scotland and shadows a family determined to free their son, Michael Ross, from prison. Amazon Prime Video's synopsis reveals: "One summer evening in 1994, a masked man walked calmly into the only Indian restaurant in the remote Orkney Islands and shot a waiter dead before disappearing into the night. "The murder remained unsolved for years, until new evidence emerged, resulting in an unexpected arrest that stunned the local community. "Featuring powerful new testimony, this twist-filled true crime documentary explores one of Scotland's most controversial cases." (Image: AMAZON PRIME) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Prime Video free trial Get Prime Video free for 30 days TV lovers can get 30 days' free access to tantalising TV like The Boys, Reacher and Clarkson's Farm by signing up to Amazon Prime. Just remember to cancel at the end and you won't be charged. £0 Amazon Get Prime Video here An exclusive snippet shared with Reach also offers a sneak peek of what's in store, hinting at a "twist in the tale that nobody saw coming". In the clip, we learn that Michael Ross made a bold bid to flee the court in dramatic scenes, reports the Express. KC Brian McConnachie remarks: "I've been doing this for 40 years and I have never seen such a dramatic end to a trial." Former journalist Bob Dow also shares: "It was so bizarre, it was so surreal, you couldn't make this up. (Image: BBC) "If you wrote this as a Hollywood movie script, no one would believe you. They would say it was unimaginable." While The Orkney Assassin is rooted in a real-life case and Shetland is purely fictional, BBC enthusiasts might find this series appealing due to its shared themes and Scottish island backdrop. BBC's Shetland, a crime drama set predominantly on the titular archipelago, first graced our screens back in March 2013. The series, an adaptation of Ann Cleeves' novels by David Kane, has previously bagged the Best TV Drama award from BAFTA Scotland. (Image: AMAZON PRIME) Douglas Henshall led the first seven seasons as DI Jimmy Pérez, with Ashley Jensen stepping into the role of DI Ruth Calder from season 8. While we're still awaiting confirmation of a release date for season 10, Shetland is anticipated to make a comeback on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year. The Orkney Assassin: Murder in the Isles will be available on Prime Video in the UK & Ireland on June 8.
Press and Journal
5 days ago
- Press and Journal
Orkney Assassin: New Amazon show to revisit night teen killed waiter in shocking racist murder
A new documentary will revisit the shocking racist murder of a Bangladeshi waiter in Orkney in 1994 – and the 14-year long investigation to convict teenage killer Michael Ross. Ross was just 15 years old when he shot waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood in a racially motivated killing. BAFTA-winning film-maker Matt Pinder will tell the story of the murder in a new feature-length true crime show on Amazon Prime. Pinder, known for his trilogy The Hunt for… has covered notorious Scottish killers like Peter Tobin and Bible John. His latest film Orkney Assassin: Murder in the Isles follows the 14-year hunt that led to Ross's conviction. In June of 1994, a masked gunman entered Mumutaz, a busy curry house in Kirkwall, and fatally shot 27-year-old Shamsuddin Mahmood. Mahmood had only been on the Orkney Islands for six weeks before the fatal shooting took place. The 26-year-old was working as a waiter and planning to return home to Bangladesh to marry his fiancée. Michael Ross, then 15, was interviewed by police after two witnesses saw him in similar clothes to the killer weeks earlier. Ross admitted to having a balaclava, which he had disposed of by dropping into the sea. His friends also denied Ross's alibi for the night of the shooting. Police also discovered disturbing Nazi imagery and racist slogans scrawled in his school books. Although he was interviewed as a teenager a few months after the murder, Ross was not charged at the time. It took more than a decade for police to uncover the truth and bring Ross to trial at the High Court. In the years following the killing, Michael Ross joined the British Army and became a highly trained sniper. He became a sergeant in the Black Watch and was praised for bravery following a 2005 Iraq tour. In 2008, a handwritten tip from a witness William Grant, placed Ross at the scene on the night of the murder. His statement reignited the case and led to a new trial. Other witnesses testified that Ross expressed racist views as a teen and borrowed his father's firearms. Michael Ross was finally convicted of the murder Shamsuddin Mahmood in 2008 and handed a minimum sentence of 25 years. After the guilty verdict was read, Ross vaulted from the dock and attacked courtroom security. He escaped into a court corridor before being tackled and restrained by officers. Investigators later discovered Ross had parked a getaway car loaded with weapons near the court building. The convicted killer also attempted to escape HMP Shotts prison with a homemade ladder in 2022. Ross and his family have maintained his innocence in the murder and believe he was wrongfully convicted of the crime. The Orkney Assassin: Murder in the Isles will be available on Prime Video in the UK & Ireland on June 8. Read more in our Michael Ross archives.
