Iconic BBC drama set to return with two new stars in the cast

The show is returning for its 28th series

This week, the BBC confirmed the hit series would be returning in early 2025, with familiar faces Emilia Fox and David Caves returning as Dr Nikki Alexander and Jack Hodgson.

For the upcoming 28th series of the show, there will be two new additions to the cast in the form of Maggie Steed and Francesca Mills.

Steed, best known for her roles in Paddington 2 and Rivals, will play Harriet Maven, the new Head of The Lyell Centre. Meanwhile Mills, who has starred in The Witcher: Blood Origin and Worzel Gummidge, will play Kit Brooks, a Crime Analyst who works with Jack.

Speaking about joining the cast, Steed said: “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.”

Mills said: “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.”

Suzi McIntosh, Executive Producer, BBC Studios said: “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!”

Next year's series will be be made up of five brand new mysteries, told over 10 episodes, the first of which will centre on the disturbing case of an elderly woman found dead in a cave.

Since first hitting British TV screens in 1996, Silent Witness has gone on to become one of the BBC's most popular shows, with the most recent series averaging 7.4 million viewers per episode.

Along with the confirmation of the new cast and episodes for early next year, the BBC has also confirmed pre-production is underway for another set of episodes, due to air in 2026.