Silent Witness Returns in 2025 with New Faces and Major Changes for Series 28

Silent Witness is officially coming back in 2025 — and it’s not returning quietly. The long-running BBC crime drama will launch its 28th season with a reshuffled team, two brand-new cast members, and a mystery that kicks off with a chilling discovery in a cave.

Maggie Steed, known for roles in Rivals and Ten Percent, joins the series as Harriet Maven, the new head of the Lyell Centre. She’ll lead the forensics team into a fresh batch of cases alongside Francesca Mills, who takes on the role of Kit Brooks, a sharp-witted Crime Analyst working closely with forensic scientist Jack Hodgson.

Fan favorites Emilia Fox and David Caves return as Dr Nikki Alexander and Jack Hodgson, anchoring the new season with their on-screen chemistry and emotional depth. Their relationship, which has slowly built across multiple seasons, took a dramatic turn in the most recent finale when Jack proposed — a moment fans had waited over a decade to see.

The upcoming season will feature five brand new stories, told over ten episodes. The opener sets the tone with a haunting case: the death of an elderly woman found deep in a cave. As the Lyell team investigates, questions arise about what could drive someone to murder such a vulnerable person. The mystery also serves as the backdrop for the introduction of the new team members, Harriet and Kit, as they navigate their first case.

Maggie Steed said she was thrilled to join the show, calling it “the most intriguing and entertaining series going.” Francesca Mills echoed that excitement, calling it an honor to step into such a long-running and respected production.

Series 28 isn’t the end — BBC Studios has confirmed that a 29th season is already in pre-production, with filming scheduled for early 2026. The future of Silent Witness looks strong, bolstered by the balance of its familiar leads and dynamic newcomers.

Alongside the core cast, the new season is expected to include the return of supporting characters Velvy Schur, Gabriel Folukoya, and Cara Connelly. With a newly engaged central couple, a fresh leadership dynamic at the Lyell, and a slate of dark, gripping cases ahead, Silent Witness is aiming to deliver another compelling chapter in its decades-long run.