Silent Witness Season 29: BBC Reschedules Episodes Following Birmingham Incident
London, 10 February 2025 – The BBC has implemented an emergency schedule change for its long-running forensic drama, Silent Witness, pulling two scheduled episodes just hours before broadcast. The decision to postpone the two-part story, titled “The Enemy Within”, was made following a real-life tragedy in Birmingham that mirrored the fictional events of the programme. While the series has recently moved its filming location to Birmingham for the 29th season, the broadcaster opted for a sensitive approach by replacing the planned episodes with alternative content.
Schedule Update: “The Enemy Within”
Originally intended to air on Monday 9 February and Tuesday 10 February, “The Enemy Within” was removed from the BBC One schedule. Viewers instead saw the broadcast of episodes 3 and 4, titled “Creekwood”, which were moved forward to fill the gap. The BBC has now confirmed the revised transmission dates for the postponed episodes.
- Original Air Date: 9 and 10 February 2026 (Postponed)
- New Air Date (Part 1): Tuesday 17 February 2026
- New Air Date (Part 2): Wednesday 18 February 2026
Key Facts: Silent Witness Series Overview
Since its debut in 1996, Silent Witness has evolved from a Sheffield-based drama into one of the UK’s most enduring crime procedurals. The current series features Dr Nikki Alexander and Jack Hodgson, who are now depicted as a married couple navigating complex forensic investigations.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Lead Character | Dr Sam Ryan (played by Amanda Burton) |
| Current Lead Character | Dr Nikki Alexander (played by Emilia Fox) |
| Forensics Expert | Jack Hodgson (played by David Caves) |
| Season 29 Setting | Birmingham |
| First Aired | 1996 |
| Current Season | Season 29 (2026) |
Cast of Season 29
The latest series sees the return of the Lyell Centre’s core team alongside new recurring characters. The 10-episode season continues to focus on the professional and personal lives of the forensic pathologists.
- Emilia Fox as Dr Nikki Alexander
- David Caves as Jack Hodgson
- Francesca Mills as Kit Brookes
- Maggie Steed as Harriet Maven
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Silent Witness episode pulled?
The BBC postponed the two-part story “The Enemy Within” because its plot involving a stabbing in Birmingham closely resembled a real-life incident that occurred in the city. The broadcaster made the change out of respect for those affected by the tragedy.
When will the missing episodes air?
The episodes are now scheduled to broadcast on Tuesday 17 February and Wednesday 18 February 2026 on BBC One.
Who was the original main character of the show?
The series originally starred Amanda Burton as Dr Sam Ryan, a character based on the real-life forensic pathologist Professor Helen Whitwell. Dr Ryan departed the series in 2004, at which point Emilia Fox joined the cast.