Publicmatters Daily Briefing English (UK)
publicmatters.uk Publicmatters Daily Briefing
Blog Business Local Politics Tech World

Silent Witness Season 28 – Cast, Episodes and DVD Release

Oliver Jack Thompson Howard • 2026-05-06 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

When is Silent Witness Season 28 released and where can I watch it?

Season Number: 28
Number of Episodes: 10 (5 two-part stories)
Lead Cast: Emilia Fox, David Caves, Maggie Steed
Release Date: January 6, 2025 (BBC One)

Silent Witness returned for its 28th season on BBC One in January 2025. The 10-episode season aired in weekly pairs and concluded by early February 2025. All episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

  • Main cast returns with Nikki Alexander and Jack Hodgson leading the Lyell team.
  • Season 28 continues the show’s tradition of two-part stories tackling contemporary issues.
  • New leadership arrives at the Lyell Centre with the appointment of Harriet Maven.
  • Francesca Mills joins the cast as crime analyst Kit Brooks.
  • The DVD release follows the typical pattern established by past series.
  • Search data shows strong audience anticipation for the series, though international streaming details remain limited.
Fact Detail
Network BBC One (UK)
Genre Crime drama / Forensic thriller
Creator Nigel McCrery
Lead Actors Emilia Fox, David Caves, Maggie Steed, Francesca Mills
Episode Length Approx. 60 minutes per episode
First Aired January 6, 2025
Finale February 4, 2025
Available On BBC iPlayer (UK), DVD (Amazon), Prime Video
Average Viewership 5.85 million

Who is in the cast of Silent Witness Season 28?

Who are the main cast members of Silent Witness Season 28?

The core cast returns with Emilia Fox reprising her role as Dr. Nikki Alexander and David Caves as Jack Hodgson. The season introduces Maggie Steed (Paddington 2, Rivals) as Harriet Maven, the new Head of the Lyell Centre. Francesca Mills (The Witcher: Blood Origin) joins as Kit Brooks, a crime analyst working alongside Jack.

Character departures

Velvy (Alastair Michael), Gabriel (Aki Omoshaybi), and Cara (Rhiannon May) from Season 27 do not return. Their exit made way for the new leadership dynamic introduced in Season 28.

Who guest stars in Silent Witness Season 28 Episode 1?

Episode 1, titled “Exodus 20:17”, features the returning main cast alongside a guest cast that supports the standalone story. Specific recurring guest stars for the full season have been listed on platforms such as IMDb, though full guest credits for every episode vary across the paired stories.

How many episodes are in Silent Witness Season 28 and what is the plot?

How many episodes does Silent Witness Season 28 have?

The season comprises 10 episodes. These are presented in five two-part stories, following the traditional structure of the long-running BBC series.

What is Silent Witness Season 28 Episode 1 about?

The opening story, “Exodus 20:17”, begins with the death of an elderly woman found in a cave. The Lyell team investigates what drives murder of the vulnerable, while new boss Harriet Maven immediately ruffles feathers at the centre. The story concludes in Part 2, which aired the following night.

Story arc format

Each of the five weeks in Season 28 presents a complete two-part narrative. This allows for deeper exploration of complex criminal cases and the personal lives of the Lyell Centre staff.

Where can I find a full episode list with air dates?

The official BBC Silent Witness Series 28 Episode Guide provides the complete aired list. Additional episode details and story synopses are available on Rotten Tomatoes.

What is the IMDb rating for Silent Witness Season 28?

Aggregated ratings for Season 28 remain limited. Rotten Tomatoes shows a Tomatometer score based on 2 reviews with specific critic scores not widely detailed. The Popcornmeter indicates fewer than 50 audience ratings. Metacritic similarly offers limited critic aggregation for this season. General reception, however, praises the fresh cases and integration of new cast members, noting that the series maintains its signature forensic intrigue.

When did Silent Witness Season 28 episodes air?

The season premiered on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 9pm on BBC One. Episodes aired in pairs weekly, with Part 1 on Monday and Part 2 on Tuesday. The finale aired on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

  1. Week 1: Exodus 20:17 (Parts 1 & 2) – January 6 & 7, 2025
  2. Week 2: Episode 3 & 4 – January 13 & 14, 2025
  3. Week 3: Episode 5 & 6 – January 20 & 21, 2025
  4. Week 4: Episode 7 & 8 – January 27 & 28, 2025
  5. Week 5: Episode 9 & 10 – February 3 & 4, 2025

The full episode guide with specific titles for weeks 2 through 5 is available via the official BBC page and on Radio Times.

What is confirmed and what is still uncertain about Silent Witness Season 28 and 29?

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
Silent Witness Season 28 aired from January 6 to February 4, 2025, on BBC One. International streaming availability outside the UK, including specific platforms and dates.
The season consists of 10 episodes split into 5 two-part stories. Exact episode titles for all five story arcs beyond the first.
The main cast includes Emilia Fox, David Caves, Maggie Steed, and Francesca Mills. Whether a physical Blu-ray release will follow the standard DVD.
A DVD release is available for purchase on Amazon UK. Full details on Season 30, as Season 29 has recently concluded airing.

What makes Silent Witness Season 28 significant?

Season 28 continues the show’s commitment to forensic science and social justice themes. Storylines this season involve legal ethics and personal trauma, maintaining the series’ reputation for intelligent crime drama. As one of the BBC’s longest-running dramas, Silent Witness has been on air since 1996. This season marks a notable shift in team dynamics with the introduction of a new head at the Lyell Centre.

Where can I find verified information about Silent Witness Season 28?

“Emilia Fox returns as the formidable Nikki Alexander, joined by David Caves as Jack Hodgson.”

— Radio Times, cast introduction article, January 2025

“Another hammer attack brings the Lyell team closer to uncovering long-buried secrets.”

— BBC episode guide, synopsis for Episode 2

These sources, along with the official BBC guide and Rotten Tomatoes, provide verified details on cast and episodes.

What’s next for Silent Witness?

Season 29 was confirmed during the promotion of Season 28. It premiered on February 2, 2026, and concluded on March 3, 2026, with Emilia Fox, David Caves, Maggie Steed, and Francesca Mills all returning. For a full breakdown of the latest series, see our Silent Witness Season 29 Preview. For complete background on the show’s arc, refer to the Silent Witness Season 28 Comprehensive Guide.

Frequently asked questions about Silent Witness Season 28

What is Silent Witness Season 29 Episode 1 about?

Nikki and Jack hunt a suspected hitman in Birmingham who claims responsibility for a high-profile murder, while another person remains imprisoned for the crime.

What is Silent Witness Season 29 Episode 5 about?

Details for specific episodes beyond the first two-part story of Season 29 have not been widely detailed in available broadcast guides.

How can I watch Silent Witness Season 28 outside the UK?

Currently, the season is available exclusively on BBC iPlayer for UK viewers. International distribution via streaming services may follow later, but no date is confirmed.

Who stars in Silent Witness Season 28 Episode 1?

The episode features the main cast: Emilia Fox, David Caves, Maggie Steed, and Francesca Mills, alongside guest cast that supports the specific story.

Is there a trailer for Silent Witness Season 28?

Yes, trailers were released on official BBC channels and social media platforms prior to the January 2025 premiere.

How does Season 28 compare to previous seasons?

Early reviews indicate it maintains the show’s forensic intrigue while introducing fresh team dynamics and new leadership at the Lyell Centre.

Why did some characters leave Silent Witness Season 28?

Velvy, Gabriel, and Cara did not return for Season 28, making way for new leadership and team members to join the Lyell Centre.

What is the average viewership for Silent Witness Season 28?

The season averaged 5.85 million viewers per episode, according to BARB data compiled by Wikipedia.

Can I buy Silent Witness Season 28 on DVD?

Yes, the DVD is available for purchase on Amazon UK. A Blu-ray release has not been confirmed yet.

Where can I find the complete episode guide?

The official BBC programme page and platforms like TV Guide and Rotten Tomatoes host the full episode guide with synopses.


Oliver Jack Thompson Howard

About the author

Oliver Jack Thompson Howard

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.