BBC announces major update for TV crime drama watched by 13,000,000 viewers

Vigil is back! (Picture: BBC/Graham Hunter)

BBC crime drama Vigil is returning for a third series with filming beginning later this year.

Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie’s characters DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre will this time be heading to a remote Arctic research station (but it’s being filmed in the slightly warmer Scotland).

‘A member of a covert British special forces mission has been shot dead,’the synopsis teases.

‘Amy and Kirsten will need to catch the killer and diffuse a potential international confrontation, driven by a land-grab for energy and resources in the changing polar climate, with both their careers and relationship on the line.’

In previous episodes, we’ve seen Silva trying to solve a murder on a navy submarine, and then figuring out who was behind a deadly drone attack on a Royal Air Force Base. The murder mystery has got the nation hooked and guessing who could be behind the crimes, so it was a no-brainer for BBC to bring the twisty show back.

The first series, which premiered in 2021, attracted over 13 million viewers. In 2023, the follow-up series launched to nearly nine million viewers. It was in the BBC’s top three most-watched dramas of the year, behind Happy Valley and Death in Paradise.

Viewers have been hooked (Picture: BBC/World Productions)

The show has also been recognised with prestigious awards, winning Best Drama Series at the Baftas, and the International Emmy for Best Drama Series.

Speaking about the exciting comeback, Suranne, 46, said: ‘I can’t wait to return to Vigil series three, see our brilliant team in Scotland and work with Rose again. I’m sure it will be a thrill of a ride.’

‘I can’t wait to get stuck into another season of Vigil, to work with the wonderful Suranne Jones again and our brilliant crew. And this time, Kirsten will get to pack her bags and join Amy on what’s set to be Vigil’s most high-stakes mission yet!’ added Game of Thrones star Rose, 38.

The third season promises to be the most adrenaline-filled yet (Picture: BBC / World Productions LTD / Nicky Hamilton / Rufina Breskin)

Jake Lushington, executive producer for World Productions, the company that also produces Until I Kill You, Showtrial, and Line of Duty, said: ‘World have been thrilled by the way such huge audiences have embraced Vigil‘s unique combination of murder mystery, action-adventure and political thriller.

‘And of course, the magnetic chemistry that Suranne and Rose bring to DCI Silva and DI Longacre. We can’t wait to bring you the next instalment set in the most extreme location yet visited.’

The new Vigil will be six 60-minute episodes, all written and created by Tom Edge once again. ‘I’m delighted that Suranne and Rose are returning for a new adventure,’ he said.

Rose is excited to work with Suranne again (Picture: BBC)

‘In our third season, we travel to the frozen north where the world’s great powers are competing to secure advantages as the ice melts.

‘With a brilliant cast and crew assembling to make the show, we hope to deliver an epic investigation that shines a light on issues that will shape the world we all live in.’

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama promised that fans are in for a treat as it’s the ‘most adrenaline-fuelled mission yet’.

World Productions will make the show in association with ITV Studios for the BBC.

Series one and two of Vigil are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

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