Looking for your next binge-watch? Click here so our latest TV recommendations stay at the top of your Google feed.
Silent Witness is back for Season 29, and things are shaking up a bit - the team has swapped London for Birmingham’s Sir William Bowman Centre of Excellence. Same intense investigations, same tricky cases, but a fresh backdrop that gives the show a new vibe.
This series sees them tackling some of their toughest mysteries yet, including the disappearance of Alice Hill. Off the clock, Nikki (Emilia Fox) and Jack (David Caves) are getting used to married life after their low-key wedding last season. Nikki, especially, has been figuring out what married life actually means, adding a little personal drama to the usual forensic chaos.
Of course, Silent Witness wouldn’t be complete without some familiar faces popping in and this season’s guest cast is as star-studded as ever. Here’s everything you need to know about who’s appearing in Season 29.
Main cast of Silent Witness
Emilia Fox plays Dr Nikki Alexander
Nikki is navigating a new chapter in Season 29 of Silent Witness, settling into married life with Jack while adjusting to the team’s relocation to Birmingham. Actress Emilia Fox, who has played Nikki for 21 years, says the series explores themes of trust this season: “The theme of this series, across the stories, is trust and what we can believe in and what’s real. That crosses from stories about AI, to trust in relationships, and Jack has some big storylines in this series.” Emilia adds that filming in Birmingham has been a real joy, from exploring the canals and industrial buildings to discovering the Balti Triangle — and she even picked up some local phrases along the way, like “Alright Bab” and “Ta’ra-a-bit.”
Playing Nikki has been a rare experience for Emilia, who describes the character as “like a sort of best friend” she has grown alongside over two decades. She says the stability of the role, combined with the excitement of new storylines, keeps her coming back: “We never know what is coming next for her… there’s a real sense of excitement and challenge in that.”
What else has Emilia Fox been in? Emilia Fox first came to wider attention with her role in Roman Polanski’s 2002 film The Pianist, and she went on to appear in a number of big-screen projects, including The Soul Keeper, 3 Blind Mice, and The Republic of Love. On the small screen, she's had appearances in shows such as Merlin, Delicious and The Trial of Christine Keeler. She's also presented the true-crime documentary In the Footsteps of Killers with criminologist David Wilson.
David Caves plays Jack Hodgson
Jack Hodgson is adjusting to married life with Nikki while the team settles into their new home at The Bowman Centre in Birmingham. Still sarcastic and stubborn, Jack now shows more depth and self-awareness, with the challenges of his work weighing heavily on him. David Caves, who plays Jack, explains that one storyline in the new series sees him embark on “a very personal odyssey… a story that really tests him,” giving viewers a glimpse of both his toughness and vulnerability.
Filming in Birmingham has brought a fresh energy to the show, with David praising the city’s mix of grit, history, and stunning canals. He’s loved discovering the local areas, from industrial buildings to the Balti Triangle, and even sampling some of the city’s best food along the way. On returning to the role, he says: “The thing I love about Jack is that he’s tough but can be vulnerable… There’s always something new to find with him. And honestly, the cast and crew feel like family now, the kind you don’t mind seeing again every year.”
What else has David Caves been in? He's best known for his role as Jack, who he has played since 2013. However, he has appeared in several theatre productions including The Taming of the Shrew. He's also been in the film Jackie.
Francesca Mills plays Kit Brooks
Kit Bailey returns for Season 29 of Silent Witness, feeling more confident in her role as the team settles into their new Birmingham base. Fran Sampson, who plays Kit, says this series sees her character finding her flow after proving herself last year: “She spent a lot of last year trying to prove herself worthy… so this year she really finds her flow. Alongside Jack, their friendship grows and they work really well together in the new building.”
Fran has loved filming in Birmingham, both for the city’s welcoming fans and the chance to be close to her Midlands roots. She describes Kit as “enthusiastic, dedicated, and someone who notices everything — there are no flies on her!” Fran also enjoys the on-set camaraderie with Emilia, David and Maggie. “We laugh every day and feel really proud to be part of this team."
What else has Francesca Mills been in? Fans may recognise Francesca from Harlots, Worzel Gummidge, Pistol and The Witcher: Blood Origin.
Maggie Steed plays Harriet Maven
Fiercely loyal and witty team member, adjusting alongside the rest of the team to their new base, Harriet continues to keep the team running smoothly while standing up for them when things get dangerous.
Maggie Steed, the actress behind Harriet says, “She’s very forthright, witty… and very committed to the team. She would defend them if they ever got into trouble because sometimes the work is dangerous.”
What else has Maggie Steed been in? Maggie has had roles in EastEnders, Ridley, Rivals, Shine on Hervey Moon, Ten Percent and Chewing Gum.
Silent Witness guest stars for series 29
• Sophie Hopkins (Class) plays Alice Hill
• Dino Fetscher (Under Salt Marsh, Fool Me Once) plays Jason Webb
• Philip Cumbus (The Spanish Princess) plays Richard Mazar
• Nathan Wright (Doctors) plays Steve Gantry
• Selin Hizli (Malpractice, Am I Being Unreasonable?) plays DI Kayla Baran
• Zita Sattar (Casualty, The Worst Witch) plays DCI Jilly Bashir
• Mollie Winnard (Happy Valley, All Creatures Great and Small) plays DI Claire Ferris
• Tony Gardner (My Parents Are Aliens, Last Tango in Halifax, Fresh Meat) plays Ron Hill
• Oliver Nicholas (London Kills) plays Adam Hill
• Nancy Farino (Anatomy of a Scandal) plays Saskia Hill
• Laura Pitt-Pulford (Emmerdale) plays Suzie Clemence
• Levi Brown (This Town, Girl Taken) plays PC Nesbit
• Benjamin Lok (This England) plays Feng
• Lesley Moloney (The Inside Man) plays Home Secretary
All previous seasons of Silent Witness (Seasons 1–28) are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. A devoted bookworm and TV fan, she’s always immersed in the latest shows or catching the newest films and theatre productions. When she’s not writing, Arabella enjoys cooking and exploring the outdoors with her three dogs.