View source for Silent Witness

{{short description|British crime drama television series}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Silent Witness title card.jpg
| caption              = Title card (2015–2017)
| genre                = [[Crime drama]]
| creator              = [[Nigel McCrery]]
| writer               = 
| director             = 
| based_on             = 
| starring             = {{plainlist|
'''Current'''
* [[Emilia Fox]]
* [[David Caves]]
* [[Maggie Steed]]
* [[Francesca Mills]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = [[Geoffrey Burgon]] ({{abbr|s.|series}} 1)<br>[[John Harle]] (s. 2–present)
| composer             = Geoffrey Burgon (s. 1)<br>John Harle (s. 2–7)<br>[[Paul Leonard-Morgan]] (s. 8)<br>[[Sheridan Tongue]] (s. 9–20)<br>[[Jon Opstad]] (s. 16)<br>[[Andy Price]] (s. 21–23)<br>[[Nick Holywell-Walker]] (s. 24–25)
| country              = United Kingdom
| language             = English
| num_series           = 28
| num_episodes         = 257
| list_episodes        = List of Silent Witness episodes
| executive_producer   = Caroline Oulton (s. 1–3)<br>Patrick Spence (s. 4)<br>Mike Dormer (s. 5)<br>Jessica Pope (s. 6–9)<br>Laura Mackie (s. 6–9)<br>Hilary Salmon (s. 10–11, 19)<br>Phillippa Giles (s. 12–18)<br>Anne Pivcevic (s. 19–20)<br> Richard Stokes (s. 21–23)<br> Lawrence Till (s. 24–25)<br> Priscilla Parish (s. 24–26) <br> Caroline Levy (s. 24–25)<br> Emilia Fox (s. 24–28)<br> Ed Whitmore (s. 25)<br> Suzi McIntosh (s. 26–28)
| producer             = Tony Dennis (s. 1)<br>Alison Lumb (s. 2)<br>Anne Pivcevic (s. 3)<br>Lars Macfarlane (s. 4)<br>Diana Kyle (s. 5)<br>Nick Pitt (s. 6–8)<br>Tim Bradley (s. 9–10)<br>George Ormond (s. 11–12)<br>Ruth Kenley-Letts (s. 13)<br>Richard Burrell (s. 14–{{abbr|ep.|episode}} 15.2)<br>Mat Chaplin (ep. 15.3)<br>Lachlan Mackinnon (ep. 15.4–15.6)<br>Sharon Bloom (s. 16–18)<br>Madonna Baptiste (s. 19)<br>Ceri Meyrick (s. 20)
| runtime              = 50 minutes (s. 1–5)<br>60 minutes (s. 6–present)
| company              = [[BBC Studios Drama Productions]]
| network              = [[BBC One]]
| first_aired          = {{start date|1996|2|21|df=y}}
| last_aired           = present
}}

'''''Silent Witness''''' is a British [[crime drama]] television series produced by the [[BBC]] that focuses on a team of [[forensic pathology]] experts and their investigations into various crimes. The series was created by [[Nigel McCrery]], a former murder squad detective based in [[Nottingham]]. Since its initial release in 1996, 28 series have been broadcast.<ref name="WR">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/writers/blog/celebrating-silent-witness-25-with-ten-memorable-episodes |title=Celebrating Silent Witness 25 with Ten Memorable Episodes |last=Lambon |first=Nick |date=20 May 2022 |work=BBC – Writers' Room |publisher=BBC |access-date=2 June 2022 |archive-date=24 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524002732/https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/entries/abef8e6e-51eb-4133-ab14-e3e923788b46 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Cormack |first=Morgan |title=Silent Witness's Emilia Fox teases new dynamics: 'Everything changes again' |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/silent-witness-emilia-fox-new-dynamic-change-newsupdate/ |website=[[Radio Times]] |date=5 January 2025 |access-date=8 January 2025 |archive-date=7 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107223251/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/silent-witness-emilia-fox-new-dynamic-change-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Amanda Burton]] starred as primary character Dr. Sam Ryan, a forensic pathologist and was joined by other supporting characters. In Series 6 [[William Gaminara]] and [[Tom Ward]] joined as main cast members, pathologists Leo Dalton and Harry Cunningham respectively. Sam Ryan left at the end of episode 2 of Series 8. After her departure, the show moved to an [[ensemble cast]] format and in episode 5 of Series 8, [[Emilia Fox]] joined as Dr. Nikki Alexander, also a forensic pathologist. The trio of Leo, Harry and Nikki remained until the end of series 15 with the departure of Harry (albeit offscreen). In Series 16, [[David Caves]] joined as the Lyell's new forensic scientist, Jack Hodgson. [[Liz Carr]] also joined in episode 2 of Series 16 for a recurring character Clarissa Mullery, a forensic technician. At the end of Series 16, Leo was killed. In Series 17, [[Richard Lintern]] joined as the new head of the Lyell, Thomas Chamberlain. The main cast of Nikki, Jack and Thomas remained for Series 17 and Series 18. Carr's character was promoted to a main cast member from Series 19 and the four remained as the main cast until the end of Series 23, where Thomas was killed and Clarissa left the Lyell. In episode 3 of Series 24, [[Jason Wong]] joined as Adam Yuen, a forensic pathologist, but was killed in episode 6. In episode 7, [[Genesis Lynea]] joined as Simone Tyler, a forensic ecologist.
For Series 25, Burton reprised her role as Sam Ryan and all three cast members from Series 24 also returned. At the end of Series 25, Sam Ryan departed and Simone left the Lyell. 
In Series 26, [[Alaister Michael]] and [[Aki Omoshaybi]] joined as medical examiner Velvy Schur and forensic pathologist Gabriel Folukoya respectively. In episode 3 of the series, [[Rhiannon May]] joined as Jack's niece Cara Connelly. All three characters left off screen after the conclusion of Series 27. In Series 28, [[Maggie Steed]] and [[Francesca Mills]] joined as Dr. Harriet Mavern and Kit Brooks - a forensic pathologist and crime scene analyist respectively.

The programme is broadcast in more than 235 territories,<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/silentwitness20|title=BBC – Silent Witness – Media Centre|access-date=25 December 2019|archive-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221043245/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/silentwitness20|url-status=live}}</ref> including [[ABC (Australian TV channel)|ABC]] in Australia,<ref>{{cite web |title=Silent Witness |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/silent-witness |publisher=ABC Television |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=26 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726143229/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/silent-witness/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Showcase (Canadian TV channel)|Showcase]] and the [[Knowledge Network]] in Canada, [[KRO]] in the Netherlands, [[TV One (New Zealand)|TV One]]<ref>tvnz.co.nz/silent-witness/show-432523</ref> and [[Prime (New Zealand)|Prime]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Drama |url=http://www.primetv.co.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=56 |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=17 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417204219/http://www.primetv.co.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=56 |url-status=live }}</ref> in New Zealand, BBC First in South Africa and [[BBC America]] in the United States. ''Silent Witness'' continues to achieve good audience ratings in the UK.

==Background==
The main character in the original series was based on Professor [[Helen Whitwell]], a forensic pathologist based in [[Sheffield]], whom McCrery had known while serving as a police officer. The programme followed the activities of [[Forensic pathology|pathologist]] Sam Ryan, played by [[Amanda Burton]], until she departed early in the eighth series.

There was a succession of regular supporting characters, changing almost every series, but Dr Leo Dalton ([[William Gaminara]]) and Dr Harry Cunningham ([[Tom Ward]]), who were introduced in the sixth series, continued as lead characters following Ryan's departure, with Dalton replacing her as professor.

A new character, Dr Nikki Alexander ([[Emilia Fox]]), was introduced in mid-series eight, based on [[Dr Brooke Magnanti]], a forensic scientist based in Sheffield. While working as a forensic anthropologist, she appropriates facilities and software in the pathology department to analyse an [[Iron Age]] find, with the belated, bemused and begrudging approval of Dalton. Dr Alexander is able to assist in a set of cases being investigated by the team, because it transpires that she has "worked in forensic pathology in [[Johannesburg]] for six months" and is certified by the Home Office to practice. She eventually overcomes Leo's reluctance and, with Harry's support, is offered and accepts a position on the team.

Before the 16th series begins, Harry has left to accept a position in New York City. He is succeeded by forensics expert Jack Hodgson ([[David Caves]]) and his assistant Clarissa Mullery ([[Liz Carr]]). At the climax of the 16th series, Leo is killed in an explosion. His replacement, Dr Thomas Chamberlain ([[Richard Lintern]]), is introduced at the start of the 17th series.

Although the show focuses heavily on areas of pathology, the police also have a presence in each case. During later series of the show, detectives and investigators tend to differ from episode to episode, with guest artists appearing in these roles. However, during the early years of the show several characters appeared regularly to investigate each case.

The first three series are set in [[Cambridge]]. The setting changed to London from the start of the fourth series, following Sam as she took up an academic position in the Lyell Centre, the Pathology Department of UCL. The programme remained in an academic setting until the end of series 16 when the Lyell appeared to have become separated from the university and operated as a stand-alone institution. In 2023 it was announced that production for Silent Witness would be moving to Birmingham. This was reflected in the show at the end of Series 28, with Nikki accepting an offer to set up a new forensic centre in the city along with her team.

Each series is typically made up of a series of two-part stories. The first nine series generally featured eight episodes (four two-part stories), except that series 4 and 5 each featured just six episodes (three two-part stories); this was increased to ten episodes (five two-part stories) from the tenth series onwards, except series 12 and 15 which each featured 12 episodes (six two-part stories). The 25th series, broadcast in 2022, introduced a new format consisting of one story in six episodes,<ref name="WR"/> but the format reverted to five two-part stories from the 26th series onwards.

In 1998, the writer John Milne received an [[Edgar Award]] from the [[Mystery Writers of America]] for the second series episode "Blood, Sweat and Tears". In the United States the series airs during 'Mystery Monday' on [[BBC America]].

==Music==
The theme music from series 2 onwards is entitled ''Silencium'' and is performed by [[John Harle]]. The arrangement, for chamber orchestra and [[soprano saxophone]] solo, was first performed publicly as part of the [[Canterbury Festival]] on 22 October 2011.<!-- {{contradictory inline|reason=Series 2 was first broadcast in 1997, 14 years before the claimed 'first performance' date in 2011|date=August 2023}} public? --><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicsalesclassical.com/composer/work/47134|title=John Harle|work=musicsalesclassical.com|access-date=3 February 2015|archive-date=4 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204000717/http://www.musicsalesclassical.com/composer/work/47134|url-status=live}}</ref> The vocal section is performed by [[Sarah Leonard (singer)|Sarah Leonard]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.johnharle.com/discography.htm|title=John Harle – Discography|work=johnharle.com|access-date=3 February 2015|archive-date=4 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204002909/http://www.johnharle.com/discography.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Critical review==
An episode first broadcast in April 2012 attracted criticism for its violent and sadistic content.<ref name=BelTel>{{cite web |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/silent-witness-broke-tv-guidelines-29096127.html |title=Silent Witness broke TV guidelines |publisher=Belfasst Telegraph digital |date=26 February 2013 |access-date=19 February 2020 |archive-date=19 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219085717/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/silent-witness-broke-tv-guidelines-29096127.html |url-status=live }}</ref> There were 632 complaints made about the fifteenth-series episode ''[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep126|Redhill]]'', written by [[Ed Whitmore]], which included a scene depicting a sadistic sexual and murderous attack. The BBC was censured by the editorial committee of the [[BBC Trust]], which said in its report:

{{blockquote|text=When the prison officer emerged from the toilet holding the bloodied stick with a pool of blood on the toilet floor, viewers were left in no doubt that an act of sexual violence was being carried out.{{nbsp}}... The committee concluded that the final scenes in the toilet block were in breach of the guidelines on harm and offence as they exceeded audience expectations for this series as they depicted a sadistic method of inflicting pain, injury and death.<ref name=BelTel />}}

The BBC had responded to the initial criticism of the episode by saying that it took its responsibility to its audience "extremely seriously" and always tried to "strike the right balance between compelling drama without being unnecessarily graphic".<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC defends 'Silent Witness' violence after complaints |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/media/a378857/bbc-defends-silent-witness-violence-after-complaints/ |publisher=Digital Spy |date=27 April 2012 |access-date=19 February 2020 |archive-date=19 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219085720/https://www.digitalspy.com/media/a378857/bbc-defends-silent-witness-violence-after-complaints/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It said that "The final scene was not an attempt to gratuitously shock the audience;{{nbsp}}... We acknowledge that certain scenes may have been challenging, but we filmed and presented them in such a way as to make sure that although as a viewer the implication was there, it was never actually shown."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/complaint/silent_witness_upsetting_scenes_ |title=Complaints – Silent Witness, upsetting scenes, BBC One 22 and 23 April 2012 |publisher=BBC |access-date=2014-07-21 |archive-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116165015/http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/complaint/silent_witness_upsetting_scenes_ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Silent Witness episodes}}
{{:List of Silent Witness episodes}}

==Characters==

===Overview===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Actor
! rowspan="2"|Character
! colspan="28" |Series
|-
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 1 .281996.29|1]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 2 .281997.29|2]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 3 .281998.29|3]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 4 .281999.29|4]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 5 .282000.E2.80.9301.29|5]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 6 .282002.29|6]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 7 .282003.29|7]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 8 .282004.29|8]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 9 .282005.29|9]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 10 .282006.29|10]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 11 .282007.29|11]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 12 .282008.29|12]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 13 .282010.29|13]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 14 .282011.29|14]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 15 .282012.29|15]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 16 .282013.29|16]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 17 .282014.29|17]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 18 .282015.29|18]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 19 .282016.29|19]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 20 .282017.29|20]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 21 .282018.29|21]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 22 .282019.29|22]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 23 .282020.29|23]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 24 .282021.29|24]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 25 .282021.29|25]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 26 .282023.29|26]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 27 .282023.29|27]]
! style="width:3%"|[[List of Silent Witness episodes#Series 28 .282023.29|28]]

|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Amanda Burton]]
| style="text-align:center;"| Sam Ryan
| colspan="8" {{CMain}}
| colspan="16 " {{CNone}}
| colspan="1" {{CMain}}
| colspan="3" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[John McGlynn (actor)|John McGlynn]]
| style="text-align:center;"| Tom Adams
| colspan="1" {{CMain}}
| colspan="28" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Clare Higgins]]
| style="text-align:center;"| Helen Farmer
| colspan="1" {{CMain}}
| colspan="28" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| William Armstrong
| style="text-align:center;"| Trevor Stewart
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="2" {{CMain}}
| colspan="28" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Ruth McCabe]]
| style="text-align:center;"| Wyn Ryan
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="1" {{CMain}}
| colspan="1" {{CGuest}}
| colspan="25" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Mick Ford]]
| style="text-align:center;"| Peter Ross
| colspan="1" {{CNone}}
| colspan="1" {{CMain}}
| colspan="28" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Nick Reding (actor)|Nick Reding]]
| style="text-align:center;"| Michael Connor
| colspan="2" {{CNone}}
| colspan="2" {{CMain}}
| colspan="25" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Mark Letheren]]
| style="text-align:center;"| Rob Bradley
| colspan="2" {{CNone}}
| colspan="1" {{CMain}}
| colspan="25" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[William Gaminara]]
| style="text-align:center" | Leo Dalton
| colspan="5" {{CNone}}
| colspan="11" {{CMain}}
| colspan="3" {{CNone}}
| colspan="1" {{CGuest}}
| colspan="8" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[Tom Ward]]
| style="text-align:center" | Harry Cunningham
| colspan="5" {{CNone}}
| colspan="10" {{CMain}}
| colspan="13" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[Emilia Fox]]
| style="text-align:center" | Nikki Alexander
| colspan="7" {{CNone}}
| colspan="28" {{CMain}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[David Caves]]
| style="text-align:center" | Jack Hodgson
| colspan="15" {{CNone}}
| colspan="28" {{CMain}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[Liz Carr]]
| style="text-align:center" | Clarissa Mullery
| colspan="15" {{CNone}}
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="7" {{CMain}}
| colspan="5" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[Richard Lintern]]
| style="text-align:center" | Thomas Chamberlain
| colspan="16" {{CNone}}
| colspan="7" {{CMain}}
| colspan="5" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[Jason Wong]]
| style="text-align:center" | Adam Yuen
| colspan="23" {{CNone}}
| colspan="1" {{CMain}}
| colspan="4" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[Genesis Lynea]]
| style="text-align:center" | Simone Tyler
| colspan="23" {{CNone}}
| colspan="2" {{CMain}}
| colspan="3" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | Alastair Michael
| style="text-align:center" | Velvy Schur
| colspan="25" {{CNone}}
| colspan="2" {{CMain}}
| colspan="1" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | Aki Omoshaybi
| style="text-align:center" | Gabriel Folukoya
| colspan="25" {{CNone}}
| colspan="2" {{CMain}}
| colspan="1" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | Rhiannon May
| style="text-align:center" | Cara Connelly
| colspan="23" {{CNone}}
| colspan="2" {{CGuest}}
| colspan="2" {{CMain}}
| colspan="1" {{CNone}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[Maggie Steed]]
| style="text-align:center" | Harriet Maven
| colspan="27" {{CNone}}
| colspan="1" {{CMain}}
|-
| style="text-align:center" | [[Francesca Mills]]
| style="text-align:center" | Kit Brookes
| colspan="27" {{CNone}}
| colspan="1" {{CMain}}

|}

===Main===
*Sam Ryan ([[Amanda Burton]])&nbsp;– series 1–8, 25. Sam originally lived and worked in [[Cambridge]], but moved to London at the end of series three after she was offered the job of professor at a university. Sam departed and returned home to [[Northern Ireland]] in the second episode of series eight, "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep52|A Time To Heal]]", in which a member of her family became a suspect in a murder case. At the end of Series 24, in a brief mid-credits scene, she is shown phoning Nikki Alexander to ask for help. This leads into her reappearing in [[List_of_Silent_Witness_episodes#Series_25_(2022)|Series 25]].
*Leo Dalton ([[William Gaminara]])&nbsp;– series 6–16. Leo first appeared in the episode "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep36|The Fall Out]]", where he was a doctor. However, he was promoted to professor after former professor Sam Ryan left. In the episode "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep60|Ghosts]]", both his wife, Theresa, and his daughter, Cassie, are killed in a car accident. He began a relationship with fellow professor Janet Mander in "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep90|Death's Door]]", but ended their relationship in the episode "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep126|Redhill]]". Leo often took a strong opinion on cases and became emotionally involved. He died in the series 16 finale "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep141|Greater Love]]", when he sacrificed himself to save many others from a terrorist bomb explosion. He briefly appeared in a flashback in the last episode of series 20.
*Harry Cunningham ([[Tom Ward]])&nbsp;– series 6–15. Harry started out life as a junior doctor, who worked as an apprentice to Sam and Leo. However, he soon qualified as a pathologist, and has worked on equal footing with the team for a number of years. Harry was single, and lived alone, but has had several romantic relationships, including an ongoing 'will they-won't they' relationship with his colleague Nikki. Harry left the team to accept a professorship in New York at the end of series 15. As this was decided after filming was completed, and the stories were reordered, with "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep130|And Then I Fell in Love]]" airing last, where it was originally scheduled as the second episode, his departure was never on screen.
*Nikki Alexander ([[Emilia Fox]])&nbsp;– since series 8. Originally appearing in the episode "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep56|Nowhere Fast]]", Nikki was originally assigned to the Lyell Centre to defuse the tension between Harry and Leo after Sam's departure. However, Nikki soon became a permanent fixture within the team, and although she features more prominently in the series, holds a lower rank in pathology than Leo. Despite her native home being South Africa, Nikki regards the United Kingdom as her second home, as the reason for her departure from the country lies solely in the hands of her father, Victor, as explained in the episode "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep84|Double Dare]]". Nikki often flirted with colleague Harry, and even invited him to stay at her house after his flat blew up in an explosion. Nikki and Harry were in an ongoing 'will they-won't they' relationship until he left in series 15. As well as this, she developed a close relationship with Leo and looked up to him as a father figure. As Leo and Harry gradually left, Nikki has since become the series' central character. She starts a relationship with Jack in series 25. They marry in series 28.
*Jack Hodgson ([[David Caves]])&nbsp;– since series 16. Before his arrival at the Lyell Centre, Jack was a forensic scientist for the police, working on regular murder investigations. However, when he is called out to the scene of a man's suspicious death in "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep132|Change]]", both Nikki and Leo spot his potential, and looking for a senior colleague to replace Harry, decide to offer Jack a job as the centre's forensic expert. Jack is close friends with colleague Clarissa Mullery, whom he invites to work with him at the Lyell Centre, much to Leo's surprise. In his spare time, Jack is a cage fighter, and splits his home life between forensic research and training for his next fight. From series 27 he has a relationship with Nikki. They marry in series 28.
*Clarissa Mullery ([[Liz Carr]])&nbsp;– series 16–23.<ref name="Silent Witness star Liz Carr set for Hollywood film role">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-51374861|access-date=5 February 2020|title=Silent Witness star Liz Carr set for Hollywood film role|work=BBC News|date=5 February 2020|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205222221/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-51374861|url-status=live}}</ref> Clarissa is Jack's personal lab assistant, who first appears in the episode "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep132|Change]]", when Jack invites her to work at the Lyell Centre with him, much to Leo's surprise. She is disabled by an unspecified condition and uses an electric wheelchair. She has a very cheeky side, making a quip at Leo after he fails to recognise her when she first arrives. Clarissa had clearly worked for Jack for a long period of time before his appointment at the Lyell Centre, but the exact period of time is unknown.
*Thomas Chamberlain ([[Richard Lintern]])&nbsp;– series 17–23. Thomas Chamberlain took over as head of the Lyell Centre from Leo who died at the end of series 16. He was an experienced forensic pathologist with a renowned reputation in toxicology and is described as charming, charismatic and socially shrewd. His first encounters with Jack, Nikki and Clarissa did not go well, but they gradually warmed to him. It is revealed in the last episode of his first series that his wife left him just before he started working at the Lyell Centre, taking their daughter with her. He died in the series 23 finale "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep211|The Greater Good]]" whilst investigating a nerve agent in the pathology suite of the Lyell Centre.
*Simone Tyler ([[Genesis Lynea]])&nbsp;– series 24–25. Simone is a meticulous forensic ecologist, who makes the jump from the museum to the mortuary at the Lyell Centre. Simone leaves at the end of season 25 to look after her nieces in Trinidad after learning about her estranged sister's death.

===Recurring===
*Detective Chief Inspector Tom Adams ([[John McGlynn (actor)|John McGlynn]])&nbsp;– series 1. An investigator with the Cambridgeshire police force, who had an affair with Kerry Cox, before her death. 
*Superintendent Helen Farmer ([[Clare Higgins]])&nbsp;– series 1. A superintendent, and Tom Adams' boss and mentor, who accompanied him on investigating several cases during his time in the force.
*Ricky Ryan ([[Matthew Steer]])&nbsp;– series 1. Wyn's son and Sam's nephew, who regularly got into trouble and was expelled from school for very poor behaviour.
*Trevor Stewart (William Armstrong)&nbsp;– series 1–3. As well as being a pathologist in his own right, Trevor was Sam's business partner, owning half of the morgue and its facilities. Trevor decided to stay in [[Cambridge]] with his friends and family when Sam accepted the professorship position at a university in London and moved away at the end of series three.
*Wyn Ryan ([[Ruth McCabe]])&nbsp;– series 1–3. Professor Ryan's sister who moved to Cambridge with her mother some years before Sam's arrival, and one of the reasons Sam Ryan relocated. Initially their relationship was strained, but eventually the two moved in with one another and grew close. In the first episode of series 3, it is announced Wyn returned to Ireland. Wyn makes one appearance in season three to visit Sam and announce her upcoming wedding.
*Superintendent Peter Ross ([[Mick Ford]])&nbsp;– series 2. A superintendent, and an ex-boyfriend of Sam's, who believed in a strong relationship between the police and the pathology lab.
*Detective Chief Inspector Michael Connor ([[Nick Reding (actor)|Nick Reding]])&nbsp;– Series 3–4. A detective chief inspector, and old friend of Sam's, whom she met during her junior years at university. He makes one appearance for the third story of the fourth season. 
*Detective Sergeant Rob Bradley ([[Mark Letheren]])&nbsp;– series 3. A detective sergeant, who as Connor's junior officer, accompanied him with the investigating in the cases which he was assigned to.
*Fred Dale (Sam Parks)&nbsp;– series 1–3. Fred was Sam's main assistant during post mortems and on visits to crime scenes, often identifying DNA samples at the scene of the crime, and linking them to those responsible. He was also notable for not having many speaking lines, and regularly appearing without speaking. His fate at the end of series 3 was not revealed.
*Detective Constable Kerry Cox ([[Ruth Gemmell]])&nbsp;– series 1. A junior trainee detective who had an affair with Tom Adams, but was later killed in a freak accident in a hospital basement.
*Detective Constable Marcia Evans (Janice Acquah)&nbsp;– series 1. A fellow junior trainee detective for the Cambridgeshire police force, who resigned after Kerry Cox's death.
*Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Selway (Nicola Redmond)&nbsp;– Series 2. Tom Adams' replacement, following his resignation from the force. She joined the team alongside junior sergeant Tony Speed.
*Detective Sergeant Tony Speed (Richard Huw)&nbsp;– series 2. A junior sergeant, who joined the team alongside his superior officer, Rachel Selway. He knew Peter Ross from a previous posting.
*Janet Mander ([[Jaye Griffiths]])&nbsp;– series 12–15. Janet is a psychological profiler who assists the police in cases of serial offences. She began a relationship with Leo in the episode "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep90|Death's Door]]", and they lived together as partners until Leo ended the relationship in "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep126|Redhill]]". She recurringly worked alongside the team to provide them with information in order to get an idea of the suspect they are looking for. Janet decided to move away from London after Leo ended their relationship.
*Charlie Gibbs ([[Wunmi Mosaku]])&nbsp;– series 13. A junior doctor and lab technician, who was appointed to work with the team by Professor Dalton.
*Zak Khan (Arsher Ali)&nbsp;– series 14. A junior doctor who worked his forensic science apprenticeship with the team, to learn the ropes of the profession.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/arsherali/status/111159935869534208|title=Arsher Ali|access-date=9 September 2011}}</ref>
*Rosemary Mason ([[Jane Hazlegrove]])&nbsp;– series 6–7. The main receptionist at the Lyell Centre, before the change in focus from university department to purely commercial pathology.
*Max Thorndyke ([[Daniel Weyman]]) – series 20–22. Max is Clarissa's husband, a forensic data analyst originally called in by the Lyell team to help solve a case in series 20 but returning in 2 further episodes in series 21.
*Matt Garcia ([[Michael Landes]]) - series 21–23. Matt is the U.S. [[Head of mission|Chief of Mission]] in the U.K. He begins a relationship with Nikki during the series 21 episode "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep186|A Special Relationship]]" which they maintain despite the difficulties of a long-distance relationship and Matt's political aspirations. The two part ways in the series 23 episode "[[List of Silent Witness episodes#ep202|Deadhead]]".
*Adam Yuen ([[Jason Wong]])&nbsp;– series 24. Adam is a confident, bright and keen pathologist who joins Nikki and Jack at the Lyell Centre. He dies midway through series 24, after being hit by a car, whilst investigating a suspect.

===Guest appearances===
''Silent Witness'' features a number of notable future established actors in guest appearances, including [[Emily Mortimer]], [[Idris Elba]], [[Nicholas Hoult]], [[Benedict Cumberbatch]], [[Susie Porter]], [[Jodie Comer]], [[Nikki Amuka-Bird]], [[Daisy Ridley]], [[Daniel Kaluuya]], [[Jim Carter (actor)|Jim Carter]], [[Martin Compston]], [[Eddie Marsan]], [[Tamsin Egerton]], [[Jason Watkins]], [[Evanna Lynch]], [[John Hannah (actor)|John Hannah]], and [[Sean Pertwee]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/gallery/idris-elba-jodie-comer-stars-27019607 | title=From Idris Elba to Jodie Comer, the stars you forgot were in Silent Witness | date=23 May 2022 | access-date=1 April 2023 | archive-date=1 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401120056/https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/gallery/idris-elba-jodie-comer-stars-27019607 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/tv/silent-witness-bbc-one-all-the-best-guest-stars-from-season-one-to-25/ | title=Silent Witness: All the HUGE names you never knew started out in BBC One drama | date=23 May 2022 | access-date=1 April 2023 | archive-date=1 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401120048/https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/tv/silent-witness-bbc-one-all-the-best-guest-stars-from-season-one-to-25/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Home media==
===Australia===
In Australia (Region 4), series 1 through 23 have been released on DVD through Roadshow Entertainment, starting with series 1 on 7 September 2006 through to series 21 on 28 May 2018. Universal then took over the releases beginning with series 22 on 20 November 2019, and have re-released some earlier seasons this time as individual seasons rather than 2 season editions. 
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="2" |Australia (Region 4)
|-
!DVD title
!Release date
|-
|Series One
|7 September 2006<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 01|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2011038/Silent-Witness---Series-01|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Series Two
|5 September 2007<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 02|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2098893/Silent-Witness---Series-02|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018205729/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2098893/Silent-Witness---Series-02|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Series Three & Four
|6 May 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 03, 04|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2144840/Silent-Witness---Series-03-04|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922205755/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2144840/Silent-Witness---Series-03-04|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Series Five & Six
|2 September 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 5 and 6|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2189210/Silent-Witness---Series-5-and-6|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018204204/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2189210/Silent-Witness---Series-5-and-6|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Series Seven & Eight
|5 May 2011<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 7 and 8|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2198288/Silent-Witness---Series-7-and-8|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=11 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011062514/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2198288/Silent-Witness---Series-7-and-8|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Series Nine & Ten
|4 August 2011<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 9-10|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2201321/Silent-Witness---Series-9-10|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018211919/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2201321/Silent-Witness---Series-9-10|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Series Eleven & Twelve
|1 December 2011<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 11-12|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2205817/Silent-Witness---Series-11-12|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018213023/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2205817/Silent-Witness---Series-11-12|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Series Thirteen & Fourteen
|7 June 2012<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 13-14|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2210795/Silent-Witness---Series-13-14|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018195905/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2210795/Silent-Witness---Series-13-14|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Series Fifteen & Sixteen
|5 June 2013<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 15-16|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2224491/Silent-Witness---Series-15-16|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018203925/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2224491/Silent-Witness---Series-15-16|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Series Seventeen & Eighteen
|6 May 2015<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 17-18|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2295686/Silent-Witness---Series-17-18|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018194217/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2295686/Silent-Witness---Series-17-18|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Series Nineteen & Twenty
|3 May 2017<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 19-20|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2332869/Silent-Witness---Series-19-20|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018214053/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2332869/Silent-Witness---Series-19-20|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Series Twenty One
|28 May 2018<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 21|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2365355/Silent-Witness---Series-21|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926135017/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2365355/Silent-Witness---Series-21|url-status=live}}</ref>
11 December 2019<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 21|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2444117/Silent-Witness---Series-21|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en}}</ref> (Universal)
|-
|Series Twenty Two
|20 November 2019<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 22|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2443851/Silent-Witness---Series-22|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018193219/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2443851/Silent-Witness---Series-22|url-status=live}}</ref> (Universal)
|-
|Series Nineteen
|11 December 2019<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 19|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2444122/Silent-Witness---Series-19|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919133902/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2444122/Silent-Witness---Series-19|url-status=live}}</ref> (Universal)
|-
|Series Twenty
|11 December 2019<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 20|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2444123/Silent-Witness---Series-20|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922070317/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2444123/Silent-Witness---Series-20|url-status=live}}</ref> (Universal)
|-
|Series Twenty Three
|8 April 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 23|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2458179/Silent-Witness---Series-23|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127172449/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2458179/Silent-Witness---Series-23|url-status=live}}</ref> (Universal)
|-
|Series Eighteen
|6 May 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Series 18|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2465439/Silent-Witness---Series-18|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Sanity|language=en|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130050004/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2465439/Silent-Witness---Series-18|url-status=live}}</ref> (Universal)
|-
|Series Fifteen
|28 October 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Season 15|url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/silent-witness-season-15-2012-dvd|access-date=2020-12-09|website=JB Hi-Fi|language=en|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024224943/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/silent-witness-season-15-2012-dvd|url-status=live}}</ref> (Universal)
|-
|Series Sixteen
|28 October 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silent Witness - Season 16|url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/silent-witness-season-16-2013-dvd|access-date=2020-12-09|website=JB Hi-Fi|language=en}}</ref> (Universal)
|}

===United Kingdom===
As of February 2025, 28 series have been released on DVD. In addition, all episodes (barring two from series 1) from the first 28 series have been made available on the [[BBC iPlayer]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b007y6k8/silent-witness | title=Silent Witness | access-date=12 June 2022 | archive-date=12 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612090346/https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b007y6k8/silent-witness | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Novels==
During the early years of the show, series creator McCrery wrote and published four tie-in novels relating to the series, following Sam Ryan ([[Amanda Burton]]), Trevor Stewart (William Armstrong) and Superintendent Tom Adams ([[John McGlynn (actor)|John McGlynn]]), and brand new character DS Stanley Sharman, with Burton generally appearing on the front cover of each novel. A fifth novel, "In Search of Evil", was due to be released in 2003, but its publication was cancelled.

{{Book table |background=#860012 |book_number= |title= |author= |publish_date= |books=
{{Book list
 | book_number    = 1
 | title          = A Case for the Defence
 | author         = Nigel McCrery
 | publish_date   = 9 September 1996
 | line_color     = #860012
 | short_summary  = Walking home from a night out, Sam stumbles upon the remains of a mutilated body on a footpath in the Northwick graveyard. Evidence suggests that the killing may be linked to a particularly ritualistic form of the black arts, but Sam is unconvinced as the murder bears an uncanny resemblance to another murder committed in the same town many years ago. When a second body is discovered, Sam's evidence is called into question, and is used to create the information that the police need to solve the case, before the killer strikes again. As Sam and Trevor uncover information surrounding the circumstances of the murders, elements that once seemed like coincidences soon appear to belong to a more horrific plan.
}}
{{Book list
 | book_number    = 2
 | title          = Strange Screams of Death
 | author         = Nigel McCrery
 | publish_date   = 3 August 1998
 | line_color     = #860012
 | short_summary  = Sam is tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman whose body is discovered in a disused shed at a former American airbase on the outskirts of Cambridge. The post mortem reveals that she had been violently raped, before being tortured, and viciously murdered. When a second body is discovered in similar circumstances, Sam finds herself dealing with a serial killer, who has the hunger to slaughter again. Can her profile of information find the identity of the killer before it is too late? Meanwhile, as Tom Adams closes in on his prime suspect, Sam discovers that he may not be working alone, and a search is launched to find the accomplice of a dangerous criminal.
}}
{{Book list
 | book_number    = 3
 | title          = The Spider's Web
 | author         = Nigel McCrery
 | publish_date   = 2 August 1999
 | line_color     = #860012
 | short_summary  = Sam is asked to perform a second autopsy on a teenage boy who was killed in a tragic joyriding accident, when despite his parents' protests, the results of the autopsy seem clear—he died of multiple injuries consistent with a high-speed car crash. However, as Trevor performed the post mortem, Sam is reluctant to go up against her friend and colleague, in an attempt to find the answers that the family are looking for. However, reading Trevor's post mortem report prompts Sam to go ahead with the second autopsy, and her findings seem to suggest that the accident may have been no such thing. But neither Trevor nor Superintendent Tom Adams accepts her findings, and believe that she is reading between the lines.
}}
{{Book list
 | book_number    = 4
 | title          = Faceless Strangers
 | author         = Nigel McCrery
 | publish_date   = 3 September 2001
 | line_color     = #860012
 | short_summary  = When the wife and beau of a local member of parliament is found dead in her own home, Superintendent Tom Adams calls upon Sam and the entire resources of the Cambridge Constabulary, in an attempt to further his career, and solve the case as quickly as possible. However, his investigation is halted by the discovery of the decomposed body of a homeless drug addict in the local underground toilet block. When Adams dismisses the death as an open and shut case, one of his juniors, DS Stanley Sharman, decides to enlist Sam's help, to discover the identity of the dead woman—and discover just who is responsible for her death. Meanwhile, Adams is determined to crack his case.
}}
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{BBC programme}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0115355|title=Silent Witness}}
*{{epguides|SilentWitness|Silent Witness}}

[[Category:1996 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1990s British crime drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s British mystery television series]]
[[Category:2000s British crime drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s British mystery television series]]
[[Category:2010s British crime drama television series]]
[[Category:2010s British mystery television series]]
[[Category:2020s British crime drama television series]]
[[Category:2020s British mystery television series]]
[[Category:BBC crime television shows]]
[[Category:BBC high definition shows]]
[[Category:BBC television dramas]]
[[Category:Edgar Award–winning works]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television shows about death]]
[[Category:Television shows set in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British crime television series]]
[[Category:Television series by BBC Studios]]