Silent Witness
A BBC One Original
Silent Witness follows a team of forensic pathologists and lab scientists who work through medical detail and trace evidence to piece together how people died. Emilia Fox leads as Nikki Alexander, a measured and methodical senior pathologist, supported by colleagues including David Caves as Jack... Read more
Watch NowWhere to Watch "Silent Witness"
Not Currently Available On (8 platforms)
Streaming availability last verified: January 30, 2026
About Silent Witness
Silent Witness follows a team of forensic pathologists and lab scientists who work through medical detail and trace evidence to piece together how people died. Emilia Fox leads as Nikki Alexander, a measured and methodical senior pathologist, supported by colleagues including David Caves as Jack Hodgson, Maggie Steed as Harriet Maven and Francesca Mills as Kit. Episodes usually center on a single victim, tracing last movements, autopsy findings and lab results to build a case that can hold up in court. The tone stays clinical and human, emphasizing victims and procedure over sensational thrills, and it balances technical explanations with the emotional fallout for investigators.
Created by Nigel McCrery, Silent Witness premiered in 1996 on the BBC and has run across many seasons. The production kept a procedural, case-per-episode format while refreshing its cast and storytelling style, maintaining a strong emphasis on forensic realism.
Across its long run the series has attracted steady industry recognition, earning nominations and praise within British television circles for its performances and technical craft. Emilia Fox's long tenure as Nikki has been frequently noted by critics and peers, reflecting the show's durable lead presence.
The series helped bring forensic pathology into mainstream UK television drama, shaping audience expectations for scientific detail in crime shows and influencing later procedurals. Its methodical reconstructions and focus on victims rather than perpetrators made several episodes stick in public memory, and the show became a regular part of crime-drama viewing habits in the UK.
Critics and viewers tend to respond well to its careful plotting and character work, reflected in a 7.5/10 average from user votes. Themes recur around mortality, ethical limits of forensic inquiry, the gap between scientific truth and legal proof, and the emotional cost of working with death. While not flashy, Silent Witness is steady, thoughtful and results-driven, appealing to viewers who like mystery solved through science and attention to human consequences.
Details
- Release Date
- February 21, 1996
- Episode Length
- 1h
- Rating
- TV-14
- User Ratings
- 103 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 29
- Episodes
- 263
- Network
- BBC One
- Status
- Returning Series
- Genres
- Crime, Drama
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Studio
- BBC +2 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Seasons (29 seasons, 263 episodes)
Series 1
8 episodes - 1996
Series 2
8 episodes - 1997
Series 3
8 episodes - 1998
Series 4
6 episodes - 1999
Series 5
6 episodes - 2000
Series 6
8 episodes - 2002
Series 7
8 episodes - 2003
Series 8
8 episodes - 2004
Series 9
8 episodes - 2005
Series 10
10 episodes - 2006
Series 11
10 episodes - 2007
Series 12
12 episodes - 2008
Series 13
10 episodes - 2010
Series 14
10 episodes - 2011
Series 15
12 episodes - 2012
Series 16
10 episodes - 2013
Series 17
10 episodes - 2014
Series 18
10 episodes - 2015
Series 19
10 episodes - 2016
Series 20
10 episodes - 2017
Series 21
10 episodes - 2018
Series 22
10 episodes - 2019
Series 23
10 episodes - 2020
Series 24
10 episodes - 2021
Series 25
6 episodes - 2022
Series 26
10 episodes - 2023
Series 27
10 episodes - 2024
Series 28
10 episodes - 2025
Season 29
4 episodes - 2026
