Silent Witness Set to Mark Historic 30th Anniversary with New Series in 2026
Three Decades of Forensic Drama Excellence
Silent Witness is a British crime drama television series produced by the BBC that focuses on a team of forensic pathology experts and their investigations into various crimes. As the beloved series prepares for its return, fans can look forward to a momentous milestone: the show is set to celebrate 30 years on the air in 2026. The first series of Silent Witness, starring Amanda Burton, began in February 1996, establishing a format that would captivate audiences for three decades.
What’s New in Series 29
Series 29 has been announced and is expected to air in early 2026 with Emilia Fox and David Caves reprising their roles as forensic pathologist Dr. Nikki Alexander and forensics expert Jack Hodgson. Silent Witness series 29 is expected to air in early 2026. The new series arrives with a significant change: In 2023 it was announced that production for Silent Witness would be moving to Birmingham. This was reflected in the show at the end of Series 28, with Nikki accepting an offer to set up a new forensic centre in the city along with her team.
The Secret to Long-Running Success
Star Emilia Fox, who joined as Dr. Nikki Alexander in episode 5 of Series 8, shared insights into the show’s enduring appeal. “To look at solving crime with a lead female pathologist in a man’s world was inspired and original. Finding clues through the body was a new way of looking at crime solving, and it gave it a real humanity.” Her co-star David Caves added perspective on the writing quality: “Aside from the fact that the stories are very good, what the writers really do so well is come up with different takes on subjects. You would have thought that by now we would have exhausted the canon of crime and murders, but the writers always find new angles.”
Looking Ahead: A Fresh Chapter
Filming is expected to begin soon on the new series, with the show currently in pre-production in Birmingham. The relocation represents more than just a change of scenery. Silent Witness has moved to the West Midlands as part of a plan by the BBC to boost TV drama production in the region. Fans can expect the series to maintain its traditional broadcast pattern, with previous seasons typically airing in early January on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
As Silent Witness enters its fourth decade, the show continues to demonstrate why it remains one of British television’s most enduring crime dramas, combining compelling forensic science with complex human stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.