Silent Witness set to return as two new faces join BBC drama

The acclaimed BBC drama Silent Witness is set for a riveting return to our TV screens next year, with viewers being treated to the arrival of two fresh faces joining the line-up.

Veteran actress Maggie Steed and rising star Francesca Mills are gearing up to join established stars Emilia Fox, who plays Dr Nikki Alexander, and David Caves in the role of Jack Hodgson. They'll be diving into five gripping new stories spanned across ten episodes.

The upcoming series, which delves into the intense world of forensic pathology, is a chilling mystery that begins with the discovery of an elderly woman's body in a cave, prompting the team to delve into what could drive someone to murder such a defenceless victim. It's also the viewers' first encounter with the vibrant new additions to the team.

Maggie Steed shared her excitement about the opportunity, saying: "I was delighted to be asked to join Silent Witness. I've enjoyed it many times over the years and it's always been the most intriguing and entertaining series going, so it's been a thrill to join."

Francesca Mills echoed her enthusiasm: "I'm thrilled to be joining such a long-running, much-loved series as Silent Witness and I really look forward to being a part of the stellar cast. This will be the 28th Series, and it is still going from strength to strength."

Suzi McIntosh, Executive Producer at BBC Studios, couldn't hide her joy at welcoming the new additions: "I could not be more delighted to welcome our fabulous new cast to our Silent Witness family. Both Maggie and Fran bring their talent to our exciting and original new characters who will help carry our stories brilliantly. So watch this space!"

The drama Silent Witness first gripped audiences in 1996, tracing the work of forensic experts as they delve into various murder cases, reports the Mirror.

Created by ex-murder squad detective Nigel McCrery from Nottingham, the show has maintained a strong fanbase over the years, with viewers clamouring for more.

Primarily shot in London and across various UK locations, Silent Witness is set for a significant change. The BBC has announced that production will shift to the West Midlands, aiming to infuse the series with a broader range of regional voices.

BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore commented on the move, saying: "The BBC is committed to investing in the West Midlands. This plan will create a future-proof skills base in the region that will fundamentally change the landscape boosting high-impact content production with the arrival of the hugely popular hit series Silent Witness in 2024.

"I'm excited about the increased opportunities this will bring to the creative talent in the area."

Past series of Silent Witness are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.