February is about to be a major month for TV and straight at the top of our list for must-watch shows is Silent Witness. The police drama is back for its 29th season (yes you read that right) as Nikki and Jack move to Birmingham and set up a new centre of forensics, ready to solve a whole new set of crimes.
The season is set to feature some of their "toughest cases yet" and a particularly interesting storyline for Jack who goes on a "very personal odyssey" during one set of episodes.
The new season kicks off on 2nd February next Monday night and we are so excited to settle down in front of the TV and channel our inner pathologist and solve all the crimes we can.
Just as excited as us? Here's what to know about the new season and why the show has moved to Birmingham.
What is Silent Witness about?
Silent Witness is a British crime drama series that sees a team of forensic experts and pathologists use their skills to solve crimes (mainly murders). Each storyline is set over two hour long episodes, that run on consecutive evenings, this season each Monday and Tuesday night. As well as solving crimes we also get an insight into the personal lives of team.
Why is Silent Witness moving to Birmingham?
For the majority of Silent Witness the show has been set in London, with the forensic team working at the Lyell Centre and investigating crimes in London and the surrounding areas.
However, for season 29, and likely onwards, the show is going to be set and filmed in Birmingham. The BBC announced this news back in 2023 as part of its plans to boost the Midlands' region of TV out put. The broadcaster also announced the move of filming of Masterchef to the region.
In the show this was revealed at the end of season 28 last year, with Dr Nikki announcing she had accepted a job to head up a new forensic centre in Birmingham and thankfully for us, the rest of her team are coming with her.
The show will now see the team work at The Sir William Bowman Centre of Excellence and investigate murders in Birmingham. The cast have opened up about filming in a new location, with Emilia Fox, who plays Nikki, revealing the change in location has opened up the storytelling and look of the show.
"It’s a really beautiful city. There are some incredible industrial buildings where the history of Birmingham feels very present," she revealed. "That was as exciting to discover as the beautiful countryside, which is close to Birmingham, which we were also fortunate to film in. I think it gives the series a different aesthetic feel."
What will happen in Silent Witness season 29?
Ok so we're going to be seeing Jack and Nikki embracing married life following their engagement in earlier seasons. The whole team will have to adjust to a new city, new police forces to work with and of course a new centre in which to conduct their work.
The season is set to feature storylines about AI and "trust in relationships" and there will be a particularly challenging storyline for Jack.
We can also expect to see the friendship between Kit and Jack grow as Kit grows in confidence within the team, and there's also more leadership and wittiness to be expected from Professor Harriet.
Who is in the cast of Silent Witness season 29?
All the main cast of Silent Witness are returning for the new season as the show moves to Birmingham and so we'll see the following four main characters:
- Emilia Fox as Dr Nikki Alexander
- David Caves as Jack Hodgson
- Fran Mills as Kit Brooks
- Maggie Steed as Professor Harriet Maven
Each episode will feature a new supporting cast as the team investigate new crimes and work with different police departments.
Is Silent Witness any good?
Yes! The show is just about to go into its 29th season, so you could say it's rather popular! Over the years Silent Witness has had strong viewing figures, with last year's season regularly hitting 3.5million viewers each night.
Silent Witness starts on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm on 2nd February
