Silent Witness Review: There’s still so much life in this brilliantly entertaining drama ☆☆☆☆

Silent Witness returned to BBC One and iPlayer on Monday, 6 January 2025, with a brilliant new episode that proves the series is as compelling as ever.

Fun, fresh, easy-to-watch and engaging, this new chapter showcases everything we love about the long-running show—suspenseful storytelling, brilliant performances, and a well-crafted plot. Emilia Fox and David Caves are back in their iconic roles as Dr. Nikki Alexander and Jack Hodgson, and they effortlessly slide back into their characters' chemistry, making it clear why fans adore them.

The 28th(!) series opened with a gripping and disturbing mystery: the death of an elderly woman found in a cave. The team is immediately thrust into a heart-wrenching investigation that raises profound questions about human nature and the vulnerability of those at risk. The case is emotionally charged, with layers of complexity that keep the audience on the edge of their seat. Yes, not every detail feels plausible but nor should it - it’s entertainment, not a true-life crime drama, and the cast play the tone just right on that.

This episode also introduced us to two excellent new team members: Harriet Maven (Maggie Steed), the new Head of The Lyell Centre, who brings a fresh and authoritative presence, and crime analyst Kit Brooks (Francesca Mills), whose dynamic energy and keen insight make her an exciting addition. Their chemistry with the established team adds an exciting new dynamic to the show, offering the perfect blend of the familiar and the new.

Overall, this episode was a masterclass in how to revitalise a beloved and long-running series while keeping the essence of what has always made it great.

The writers and producers demonstrate they know exactly what the viewers love about the show and want to see. And yet, although the show works on a winning formula, it still feels fresh and fun.

Well-acted, well-made, and thoroughly entertaining, Silent Witness is back and better than ever!  Catch up on iPlayer.