Silent Witness’ stars on the new series, their characters and more

The drama, that focuses on CSI investigators returns for series 29, as Nikki, Jack, Harriet and Kit open the doors to the Sir William Bowman Centre of Excellence in Birmingham for the first time.

Back for five captivating new stories told over 10 episodes, the team has relocated to Birmingham and Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox), Jack (David Caves), Harriet (Maggie Steed) and Kit (Fran Mills) face some of their toughest cases yet…

Emilia Fox (Dr Nikki Alexander)

Tell us what we can expect from your character this series

Jack and Nikki are starting married life in Birmingham, so they have to find a new home to live in and settle into a new workspace. I think that this has quite an effect on Jack and on their relationship together.

When I look back on the series there is always a theme to them and the last series was definitely about love. The theme of this series, across the stories, is trust and what we can believe in and what’s real. That crosses from stories about AI, to trust in relationships and Jack has some big storylines in this series.

What was it like filming in Birmingham?

It’s a really beautiful city. There are some incredible industrial buildings where the history of Birmingham feels very present. That was as exciting to discover as the beautiful countryside, which is close to Birmingham, which we were also fortunate to film in. I think it gives the series a different aesthetic feel.

The canals are so striking, and I think that all helps give the show different evolutions, different regular characters and different locations for the show to be based in.

We’ve been welcomed by people in the city; people have been very friendly. I have loved exploring.

I didn’t know about the different quarters. I mostly explored through going to eat, like in the jewellery quarter when I had one of the best Italian meals I have ever had.

Then going to the Balti triangle and having a Balti – you have to do that when you are in Birmingham!

Did you pick up any local Birmingham phrases while filming?

Yes! “Alright Bab” and “Ta’ra-a-bit”

What makes you want to return to this role?

I know how lucky I am to have played Nikki for 21 years now. That is a rarity for an actor, to really get to know a character like that. I always say she is like a sort of best friend. We have lived alongside each other and no matter what I have been through in my life she has been a constant in life. I feel the stability of that, but also that we are always expected to do different things as characters within each story, so we never know what is coming next for her. So, there is a real sense of excitement and challenge in that.

Silent Witness still attracts millions of viewers each week, why do you think people love it so much?

I think it’s the premise of the story. I always like to think of it as a behind the scenes of crime solving.

The credit should really go to the late, great Nigel McCrery who came up with the idea in the first place and to Amanda Burton, playing Sam Ryan.

It’s thanks to the legacy that they left us that the show continues. Just the idea of looking at crime solving behind the scenes and seeing the amazing work that people do to assist the police or an investigation through science and medicine.

I think it’s also this look at human beings and what they are capable of – the good and the bad.

There is something reassuring about a team of people who are doing good, trying to make sense of things and get justice.

What is the most interesting thing you have learnt in this role?

How to do a postmortem.

What is it like filming with Maggie, David and Fran?

It is fun. I know we are doing a show that has a dark subject matter and has to be treated with respect, but between us we have a lot of laughs.

I mean all three of them are extremely funny and they are very supportive and generous, which is a nice environment to work in. And a nice experience to be able to explore and have fun with.

It’s lovely doing postmortems with Maggie as I have someone to bounce off and share those very long scenes with. We’re both very interested in the subject matter.

David Caves I know so well, we have a good working relationship and shorthand with each other where we can get the best out of the scenes and the characters.

Fran is just dynamite. She has got such an infectious positive energy to her, and she is just so natural at making information interesting.

I feel very lucky.

Do people ever mistake you for your character on the street?

I get called Nikki a lot, even when by crew, but also by people who have watched the show. I don’t mind.

I’m very happy to be thought of as a character who I admire and respect. I understand we’re going into people’s houses, so they think of me as Nikki not as Emilia.

The things I have loved hearing are when people have said they used to watch the show with their kids or their family and now have chosen to go into the profession in some way.

I think very often people think I might have medical knowledge and would be able do something in a real situation.

I definitely wouldn’t be the right person but I do know the people who are the right people to turn to.

David Caves (Jack Hodgson)

Tell us what we can expect from your character this series

Jack and Nikki are settling into a new home in Birmingham and getting used to The Bowman Centre, trying to find a bit of balance.

Jack is still the same stubborn, sarcastic fella, just with a bit more self-awareness. He’s older and more mature.

He’s more affected by the trials and tribulations of his work and we see that play out majorly in this series. Jack is really tested in one story, a very personal odyssey he must go on alone.

This series the team move to Birmingham. Tell us how that comes about in the storyline.

The set-up happened at the end of the previous series. It’s woven into the story nicely – the team is adapting to new surroundings, new faces, and a slightly different pace of life.

It’s a proper reset, but of course, being Silent Witness we don’t exactly get a quiet start.

What was it like filming in Birmingham?

The people were brilliant, really welcoming and genuinely excited that we were there filming in their city.

Birmingham has this mix of grit and heart that suits the show down to the ground. Plus, the food was great.

I might’ve finished filming a few pounds heavier.

What makes you want to return to this role?

The thing I love about Jack is that he’s tough but can be vulnerable.

He can fight but knows how to control it. He’s a truth-seeker, a righteous crusader, a bit of a warrior-monk, really.

There’s always something new to find with him. And honestly, the cast and crew feel like family now, the kind you don’t mind seeing again every year.

Silent Witness still attracts millions of viewers each week, why do you think people love it so much?

It’s got everything, gripping stories, interesting science, and characters people have grown up with.

It’s comforting in a strange way, even though it’s about death. Death is a mystery, “the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns” to quote Hamlet. But life is mysterious too and we always try to balance the negative with the positive.

I think people enjoy the odd bit of gallows humour anyway.

The show is very science based. What is the most interesting thing you have learnt in this role?

I think if you’re careful and humble, acting can help you on your way to becoming an authentic human being.

It can, of course, do the opposite! But I think it’s taught me to be a bit braver in life, on stage or on screen.

To take risks, to enjoy it and not take it too seriously. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to do it at all.

There’s so little time for on-set learning of facts about forensic science and pathology, so I’d be useless in a pub quiz! Listening to our on-set experts is always very interesting.

They are the really fascinating people with stories galore.

Tell us what it is like filming with Emilia, Maggie and Fran.

It’s brilliant. We’ve got such a good mix. I love them all dearly.

There’s a lot of trust between us, which means we can have a laugh but also go to those heavy emotional places when the story needs it.

It’s honestly a lovely set to come back to.

Without spoilers, what was your favourite scene to film this series?

Too many to choose from but there’s a story later in the series that’s just really raw – not flashy, just honest.

Those are the ones that stick with me. But I won’t lie, I also love any excuse to run about outside the lab.

Do you see any of yourself in your character?

Yes, there’s a fair bit of overlap. I’ve got the sarcasm down, and probably the same habit of hiding behind humour when things get tough.

The science, though, not a chance.

Do people ever mistake you for your character on the street? Are there any funny stories from talking with the public?

On the tube once I sat next to a woman watching Silent Witness on her phone. Jack popped up on her screen, and I said “good show, that” as I got off the train. She looked rather confused.

Another fan on a different train leaned in and asked me if I was Jack.

He said he loved the character because he walked the line between good and bad. Like we all do.

He cited John Wick as another example. I was really flattered by that. I have an affinity for characters like that, myself. I’m drawn to them.

Not good, not bad, somewhere in the middle.

Not really heroes, undoubtedly courageous but shadowy, flawed men trying their best to be good in a topsy-turvy world.

People are lovely genuinely passionate about the show.

It’s a nice reminder of how beloved the show is and how lucky we all are to be a part of it.