Huge Silent Witness new series update and big reveal about the show's future

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Silent Witness is getting two major new cast members, while we wonder if Nikki and Jack will get wed...

Dr Nikki Alexander and Jack Hodgson in Silent Witness season 27
(Image credit: BBC)

Silent Witness season 28 will feature two major new cast members joining leads Emilia Fox and David Caves — and the BBC has already ordered a further series, in great news for fans.

Maggie Steed (Paddington 2, Rivals) plays Harriet Maven — the new Head of The Lyell Centre — while Francesca Mills (The Witcher: Blood Origin, Worzel Gummidge) will play Kit Brooks, a Crime Analyst who works with Jack (David Caves).

On joining the cast, Steed says: "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 says: "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."

Jack and Nikki walk on a beach in Silent Witness season 27

(Image credit: BBC)

There was no mention in the announcement by the BBC of Velvy (Alastair Michael), Gabriel (Aki Omoshaybi), or Cara (Rhiannon May) so it's unclear if they will feature at all in the new series, which will begin early 2025. The BBC did though reveal that work has already started on a further series to go out in 2026.

Silent Witness season 28 will consist of five brand new stories told over 10 episodes. Teasing the plot, the makers say: "The new series opens with a disturbing mystery when the death of an elderly woman found in a cave has the team asking what drives a person to murder someone so vulnerable. We also get an introduction to the two dynamic new team members."

But the BBC hasn't teased anything about the romance between Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox) and Jack Hodgson (David Caves). Nikki and Jack are engaged which means we could have a Silent Witness wedding in the new series. We're also awaiting news on guest stars.

Suzi McIntosh, Executive Producer, BBC Studios says: "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!"

Silent Witness season 28 starts in early 2025.

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David Hollingsworth
David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!