The long-running BBC police drama Silent Witness begins its 29th season tonight, shifting its setting to Birmingham while retaining its main cast. The opening episodes center on the pursuit of a hitman linked to a high-profile past murder. New detectives join the forensic team for cases in the new location.
Silent Witness, the enduring forensics-focused police series, launches season 29 on February 2, 2026, airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm. This season marks a significant change as the team relocates its operations to Birmingham, though the core ensemble remains intact to tackle fresh mysteries on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The four primary characters return to investigate crimes in the updated setting, supported by new police collaborators. The premiere two-parter, titled 'The Disappearance of Alice Hill,' follows the team's efforts to track a notorious hitman who has claimed responsibility for a murder that once captivated the nation. This storyline introduces the Birmingham backdrop right from the start. Leading the forensics side is Dr. Nikki Alexander, played by Emilia Fox, a pathologist who has been part of the show since 2004 and is now married to her colleague Jack Hodgson. Fox has a diverse resume including films like The Pianist and Dorian Gray, and television roles in Pride and Prejudice, The Virgin Queen, and Merlin. Jack Hodgson, portrayed by David Caves since 2013, serves as the forensics expert and Nikki's husband; Caves is recognized for theatre work in Shakespeare productions and the film Jackie. Joining them is Kit Brookes, the crime scene analyst introduced last season in 2025, played by Francesca Mills, who shares a strong rapport with Jack. Mills previously appeared in BBC's Harlots as Cherry Dorrington, along with Worzel Gummidge and The Witcher: Blood Origin. Overseeing the team as another forensic pathologist is Harriet Maven, enacted by Maggie Stead since the prior series; Stead's career spans decades, starting in the 1970s with Coronation Street, and includes films such as The Painted Veil and A Cure for Wellness, plus TV series like EastEnders and Rivals. For the new season's guest roles, Zita Sattar plays DCI Jilly Bashir, the lead detective from the initial episodes who previously handled the Alice Hill case; Sattar's credits feature Casualty, The Worst Witch, and Until I Kill You. Mollie Winnard portrays DI Claire Ferris, assisting on the Birmingham-based first case; Winnard is known for her role as Kayla in Coronation Street, as well as Happy Valley and All Creatures Great and Small. This blend of returning familiarity and fresh elements promises continued intrigue in the series' exploration of complex investigations.
