Everything you need to know about BBC drama Vigil
Series three is coming soon!
It was first advertised following Line Of Duty's dramatic series finale back in May 2021, and when BBC drama Vigil eventually hit our screens in August 2021, viewers were hooked on the storyline, which featured popular actors Martin Compston and Suranne Jones.
After the BBC commissioned a second series, which aired in December 2023, it was in February 2025 that they confirmed a third series of the show. Now we're eagerly awaiting the latest offering, due for release very soon, take a look what the series is about, who stars in it and how to watch it...
What is Vigil on BBC?
Vigil is six-part drama made by World Productions, the same team behind award-winning shows like Bodyguard, The Pembrokeshire Murders and of course, Line of Duty.
Series one followed the events after the disappearance of a fishing trawler and an unexplained death on-board a nuclear submarine HMS Vigil.
Due to its popularity, Vigil was commissioned for a second series, with filming kicking off in Spring 2023.
Series two was released in December 2023 and focussed on the Air Force, as main characters Amy Silva and Kirsten Longacre were tasked to uncover the cause of multiple fatalities at a Scottish military facility.
The show was then commissioned for a third series, with filming finishing in early 2026, and new teaser trailer arriving in June 2026.
Is there going to be a third series?
It was announced on Wednesday 19th February 2025 that the show had been renewed for a third series, with Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie reprising their roles.
Jake Lushington, executive producer for World Productions, 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."
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: "After the barnstorming success of Vigil series one and two, it's our pleasure to announce the return of Silva and Longacre for what promises to be their most adrenaline-fuelled mission yet. Tom Edge and the World Productions team have excelled themselves with a brand new mystery and setting which will give Vigil's millions of fans even more of the brilliant, blockbuster drama they've come to expect and love from this very special show."
When is Vigil on TV?
There's been no official start date for the third series, but as of June 2026, bosses teased it's 'coming soon'.
Vigil series one first hit the BBC on Bank Holiday weekend in 2021, with a double bill episode at 9pm on Sunday 29th August and Monday 30th August 2021. The show then aired every Sunday night at 9pm for four weeks.
The second series was released on 10th December 2023, and is now available to watch on iPlayer.
READ MORE: Chilling teaser trailer for Vigil series three has now been released
Vigil series one cast
Vigil series one had an absolutely stellar cast, with household names Martin Compston and Suranne Jones leading the way.
The cast also featured actors such as Anjli Mohindra, Connor Swindells, Adam James, Gary Lewis, Stephen Dillane, Lolita Chakrabarti, Daniel Portman, Lorne MacFadyen and Lauren Lyle.
See the full cast from Vigil series one below:
Suranne Jones as DCI Amy Silva
Martin Compston as Craig Burke
Rose Leslie as DS Kirsten Longacre
Shaun Evans as Glover
Paterson Joseph as Newsome
Connor Swindells as Hadlow
Lorne MacFadyen as Matthew Doward
Lolita Chakrabartias as Lt Comm Erin Branning
Adam James as Lt Commander Mark Prentice
Vigil series two cast
On Tuesday 21st March 2023, bosses announced the cast for the second series of Vigil, with Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie reprising their roles.
See the full cast from Vigil series two below:
Suranne Jones as DCI Amy Silva
Rose Leslie as DI Kirsten Longacre
Gary Lewis as DSU Robertson
Romola Garai as Acting Squadron Leader Eliza Russell
Dougray Scott as Air Marshal Marcus Grainger
Amir El-Masry as Daniel Ramsay
Chris Jenks as Callum Barker
Jonathan Ajayi as Wes Harper
Oscar Salem as Captain Sattam Abdul Kader
Hiba Medina as Sabiha Chapman
David Elliot as Sutherland
READ MORE: All you need to know about Vigil series two
Vigil series three cast
Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie will return as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre for a third time, with a whole host of new cast members.
You can see the full cast for Vigil series three right here.
Where is Vigil filmed?
Vigil series one was filmed across Glasgow, Scotland between August and September 2020. Locations for filming in the city included Hamilton Park Avenue, Finnieston Street and Squinty Bridge,
Series two was filmed in Scotland and Morocco, with filming starting in the Spring 2023.
Series three was once again filmed in Scotland and Svalbard, Arctic Norway.
Who created Vigil?
Following on from TV shows such as Line of Duty and Bodyguard, all three series of Vigil were written by Tom Edge and directed by James Strong and Isabelle Sieb.
The drama was produced by Angie Daniell and executive produced by Simon Heath and Jake Lushington for World Productions.
Simon Heath and Jake Lushington, Executive Producers for World Productions, say: “We’re excited to be taking the Silva & Longacre investigative partnership into a very different part of the British military, high in the skies rather than deep underwater. We’re also delighted to welcome to the cast two brilliant actors we’ve worked with on previous World shows, Romola Garai and Dougray Scott”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama says: “Vigil series one took the country by storm, and I could not be more excited for BBC viewers to find out what comes next. With a highly original mystery and a richly fascinating new world for Silva and Longacre to explore, this is blockbuster television with brains as well as brawn.”
How can I watch Vigil?
Series one and two of Vigil are available to watch on the BBC iPlayer now, with series three coming soon.