The BBC has offered a first glimpse at the upcoming third series of its gripping thriller, Vigil, confirming a return to screens later this year. Filming has wrapped on the six-part drama, which took the production team to the remote landscapes of Svalbard and Scotland.
DCI Amy Silva, portrayed by Suranne Jones, and DI Kirsten Longacre, played by Rose Leslie, are back at the heart of the investigation. This time, the stakes are even higher as they find themselves investigating the death of a member of a covert British special forces mission stationed at a secluded Arctic research facility. The case quickly escalates, threatening to ignite an international crisis fueled by competition for energy resources and territorial claims in the rapidly changing polar region.
Vigil first captivated audiences in 2021 with its claustrophobic setting aboard a nuclear submarine, HMS Vigil. The series, created by Tom Edge and produced by World Productions (the team behind Line of Duty, Until I Kill You, and Showtrial), garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following. The second series, which premiered in December 2023, shifted the focus to land-based drone technology, demonstrating the show’s ability to reinvent itself while maintaining its core suspenseful narrative.
The success of Vigil is undeniable. The first series earned a nomination for Best Drama Series at the 2022 BAFTA Television Awards and later secured the International Emmy for Best Drama Series. The second series proved equally popular, ranking among the BBC’s top three most-watched dramas of the year, launching to nearly nine million viewers.
Returning alongside Jones and Leslie are Gary Lewis as DS Robertson and Dominic Mafham as Sir Ian Downing, providing a familiar anchor for viewers. However, the third series also introduces a wealth of new talent, including Jeppe Beck Laursen (The Last, The Trip), Steven Miller (Dept. Q, Shetland), Naomi Yang (Under Salt Marsh, Wolfe), Benjamin Wainwright (Maigret, Belgravia: The Next Chapter), Tornike Gogrichiani (Extraction 2, Drops of God), and Danusia Samal (Red Eye, The Great).
The expanded cast also features Artur Zai Barrera (The Old Man, Lucky), Jordan Duvigneau (Mood, Stolen Girl), Kaisa Hammarlund (Hijack, Grace), Adam Fidusiewicz (FBI International, A Gentleman in Moscow), Eric Godon (In Bruges, Anna), Conor Berry (Karen Pirie, Schemers), Amy Manson (Rebus, Bodies), Jason Tobin (A Thousand Blows, The Balled of a Small Player), Steven Cree (All of You, Heads of State), Killian Coyle (Shetland, Endeavour), Derek Riddell (Industry, Happy Valley), Alma Prelec (Secret Service, Fifteen Love), Dawn Sievewright (Undertow, Shetland), and Shereen Cutkelvin (Summerwater, Crime).
The series, written and created by Tom Edge, with additional contributions from Tom Mair and Eve Hedderwick Turner, is being directed by Gareth Bryn and Faye Gilbert. Marcus Wilson serves as producer, with George Aza-Selinger as associate producer. Jake Lushington is executive producing for World Productions, while Gaynor Holmes and Stephanie Fyfe represent the BBC. ITV Studios handles international distribution.
The shift to an Arctic setting represents a bold new direction for Vigil, promising a visually stunning and politically charged narrative. The backdrop of a rapidly changing climate and escalating geopolitical tensions adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate plot. The series’ ability to consistently deliver high-stakes drama, coupled with its strong performances and compelling storylines, positions it as a key offering in the BBC’s drama lineup.
Vigil series three is expected to premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One later in 2026. The first two series are currently available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
