Silent Witness Season 29 Cast (2026): Full Main and Guest Cast List
Silent Witness season 29 marks the show's milestone as it approaches 30 years on screen.
The series relocates the team from London's Lyell Centre to the new Sir William Bowman Centre of Excellence in Birmingham, bringing back beloved leads like Emilia Fox and David Caves while introducing fresh cases in a new setting with the core team intact.
Silent Witness Season 29 Main Cast
These are the core series regulars who appear across most episodes, forming the forensic team at the Sir William Bowman Centre.
Emilia Fox as Dr Nikki Alexander
Emilia Fox has portrayed forensic pathologist Dr Nikki Alexander since 2004, making her the longest-serving lead. In season 29, Nikki heads the new centre in Birmingham after being approached by the Home Office, taking on greater leadership responsibilities while navigating her marriage to Jack.
David Caves as Jack Hodgson
David Caves plays forensic scientist Jack Hodgson, who joined in 2013. Now married to Nikki, Jack supports her in leading the new Birmingham-based team. His dynamic with Nikki evolves as they settle into married life and adapt to the new city and centre.
Maggie Steed as Harriet Maven
Maggie Steed returns as Professor Harriet Maven, the head of the forensic team. Known for her strong leadership, she joins the move to Birmingham. Following uncertainty about her role at the end of series 28, season 29 sees her continuing in a key position at the Sir William Bowman Centre.
Francesca Mills as Kit Brooks
Francesca Mills reprises her role as crime scene analyst Kit Brooks (sometimes listed as Kit Brookes). Having joined recently, Kit's confidence has grown, and she contributes significantly to investigations, with a strong friendship and collaboration with Jack evident in early season 29 cases.
Aki Omoshaybi as Dr Gabriel Folukoya
Aki Omoshaybi plays Dr Gabriel Folukoya, a forensic pathologist and core team member. He brings specialist expertise to the new centre, supporting the team's work on complex cases in Birmingham.
Rhiannon May as Cara Connelly
Rhiannon May portrays Cara Connelly, part of the forensic team at the Sir William Bowman Centre. Introduced in prior seasons (as Jack's niece in some arcs), she continues in a supporting role within the relocated unit.
Alastair Michael as Velvy Schur
Alastair Michael plays Velvy Schur, a medical examiner on the team. He fits seamlessly into the Birmingham relocation, contributing to autopsies and forensic analysis alongside the others.
Silent Witness Season 29 Guest Cast and New Characters
Each story arc in Silent Witness features new guest stars, with fresh faces appearing for individual cases. The season opens with a two-part story, bringing in several notable actors.
Key Guest Stars in Episodes 1–2 “The Disappearance of Alice Hill” (Opening Story)
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Adam Rayner as Gary Booth – A suspected hitman central to the investigation.
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Mollie Winnard as DI Claire Ferris – The detective leading the police side of the case.
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Dino Fetscher as Jason Webb – A character tied to the unfolding mystery.
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Sophie Hopkins as Alice Hill – Connected to the disappearance at the heart of the plot.
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Jason Done as Sgt Robert Andrews – A custody sergeant involved in proceedings.
Other guests in the opening episodes or season include names like Jane Slavin, Nancy Farino, and more from ensemble lists.
Later episodes feature additional guest stars (e.g., Phaldut Sharma, George Somner, and others per cast credits), with new characters introduced per case. More details emerge weekly as episodes air.
Silent Witness Season 29 Overview: Plot, Setting and Episode Details
Season 29 is set at the Sir William Bowman Centre of Excellence in Birmingham, following the team's relocation from the Lyell Centre.
Nikki spearheaded the move after Home Office outreach, with some tension around Harriet's position resolved as the team relocates together. Cases this year are among their toughest, often politically sensitive or involving complex trust issues.
The season consists of 10 episodes across five stories, premiering February 2, 2026. Episodes 1 and 2 form the opener “The Disappearance of Alice Hill,” where Nikki and Jack pursue a hitman confessing to a past murder.
Will Any Classic Silent Witness Characters Return in Season 29?
Emilia Fox (Nikki) and David Caves (Jack) are confirmed, with Maggie Steed (Harriet) and Francesca Mills (Kit) also returning. The core team from series 28 continues.
While the 30th anniversary milestone has sparked speculation about classic faces (like past regulars), no confirmations exist for returns beyond the current lineup fans should watch for updates or surprises.
Where to Watch Silent Witness Season 29 and Release Details
Season 29 airs on BBC One in the UK starting February 2, 2026, with episodes typically at 9pm (Mondays/Tuesdays for two-parters).
All episodes are available on BBC iPlayer from the morning of release. International availability varies by region and broadcaster (e.g., BritBox in some territories later) check local listings or platforms.
Silent Witness Season 29 Cast: Key Takeaways
The core team Nikki (Emilia Fox), Jack (David Caves), Harriet (Maggie Steed), Kit (Francesca Mills), Gabriel (Aki Omoshaybi), Cara (Rhiannon May), and Velvy (Alastair Michael) anchors season 29 at the new Birmingham centre.
Long-running leads mix with fresh guest stars per story, keeping the format familiar while refreshing it for this milestone run in a new location. For more, see related pages on the release or past seasons.
Disclaimer: This is based on official announcements, BBC sources, and verified cast/crew details as of February 2026. Information may be updated as new episodes air and further confirmations are released.
