Silent Witness Season 29 Returns to BBC with Major Birmingham Move

21 January 2026 Television

BBC’s Beloved Forensic Drama Marks 30 Years with Historic Relocation

After nearly a year of anticipation, Silent Witness series 29 will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 2 February 2026, marking a significant milestone for Britain’s longest-running crime drama. The first series of Silent Witness, starring Amanda Burton, began in February 1996, so when series 29 goes out at the start of 2026 it will have been on screen for 30 years, which is a massive achievement.

A New Chapter in Birmingham

The upcoming season represents a dramatic shift for the series, as The Sir William Bowman Centre of Excellence in Birmingham will officially open on Monday 2 February, with the series both set and filmed in Birmingham for the first time. Nikki has been asked by the Home Office to set up a Center of Excellence in Birmingham, which means she and Jack are heading to the Midlands. This move reflects the BBC’s broader strategy to boost television drama production outside London.

Cast and Characters Return

Dr Nikki Alexander, played by Emilia Fox, is back alongside Jack, Harriet and Kit, portrayed by David Caves, Maggie Steed and Fran Mills. Together, they face what are described as some of their most challenging and demanding cases yet, testing both their professional skills and personal resilience. The new season will explore the newlyweds’ married life following their wedding in series 28. Jack and Nikki are married, so you get a glimpse into their married life, and then being in Birmingham, it gives a whole new look to the show.

What to Expect

The show returns with five new stories told across ten episodes. The series generally has 10 episodes which go out every Monday and Tuesday for five weeks, in two-hander episodes. Star Emilia Fox has promised viewers a “completely different” feel for the series, with the Birmingham setting providing fresh visual perspectives and atmospheric changes that distinguish it from previous London-based seasons.

Viewing Information

For UK audiences, it will be airing on BBC One and will likely air at 9pm on Mondays and Tuesdays as has been the case with previous seasons. Episodes will also be available to watch on demand on BBC iPlayer after each episode has aired. The relocation to Birmingham marks not just a geographical shift but signals the programme’s continued evolution as it enters its fourth decade of forensic investigations.