Everything you need to know about BBC drama Vigil

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, details have now emerged of the cast, storyline and potential start date for the upcoming new series.

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 are tasked to uncover the cause of multiple fatalities at a Scottish military facility.

Is there a second series of Vigil?

There sure is! In mid-March 2022, BBC bosses confirmed Vigil had been commissioned for a second series, with actress Suranne Jones reprising her role as DCI Amy Silva.

Check out the first look images from series two below:

Find out everything you need to know about Vigil series two right here.

When is Vigil on TV?

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.

The show then aired every Sunday night at 9pm for four weeks.

The BBC said of series one: 'When a crew member is found dead on board the Trident nuclear submarine HMS Vigil, police in Scotland are called in to investigate. The catch? The UK’s nuclear deterrent must remain unbroken, so the submarine stays on patrol and Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) must go aboard to begin an investigation.

'Although the death was written off as an accidental overdose, Amy suspects foul play. But when the crew close ranks in the face of Amy’s questioning, a new threat overshadows her inquiry.'

The second series was released on 10th December 2023, and is now available to watch on iPlayer.

Who was in the cast of Vigil series one?

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

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 for Vigil series two right here.

Vigil series one photos:

Where is Vigil filmed?

Vigil series one was filmed across Glasgow, Scotland between August and September 2020. Locations for filming in the city include Hamilton Park Avenue, Finnieston Street and Squinty Bridge,

Series two was filmed in Scotland and Morocco, with filming starting in the Spring.

Who created Vigil?

Following on from TV shows such as Line of Duty and Bodyguard, Vigil series one was 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.

Series two is also by the same writers.

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.”

Series two also has the same creators.

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How can I watch Vigil?

Series one of Vigil is available to watch on the BBC iPlayer now.

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• Suranne Jones
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