Beloved BBC show announces two new cast members as series confirmed to return

The 's acclaimed drama is set to make a thrilling comeback next year, with fans eagerly anticipating the introduction of two fresh faces to the cast.

Actress Maggie Steed and Francesca Mills are poised to join forces with Emilia Fox's Dr Nikki Alexander and David Caves' Jack Hodgson for five gripping new tales, unfolding across ten spellbinding episodes.

Launching with a chilling conundrum, the upcoming series kicks off as the team delves into the perplexing murder of an elderly woman discovered in a cave, prompting them to ponder the motivations behind such a heinous act against a defenceless victim. The arrival of the two vibrant newcomers promises to shake things up at the lab.

Maggie Steed expressed her excitement about her new role, stating: "I was delighted to be asked to join Silent Witness. I've enjoyed it many times over the years and it's always been the most intriguing and entertaining series going, so it's been a thrill to join."

Francesca Mills went on to say: "I'm thrilled to be joining such a long-running, much-loved series as Silent Witness and I really look forward to being a part of the stellar cast. This will be the 28th Series, and it is still going from strength to strength."

Meanwhile, Studios Executive Producer, Suzi McIntosh said: "I could not be more delighted to welcome our fabulous new cast to our Silent Witness family. Both Maggie and Fran bring their talent to our exciting and original new characters who will help carry our stories brilliantly. So watch this space!"

Since its inception in 1996, Silent Witness has captivated viewers with its intense investigations into various homicides. Created by ex-murder squad detective Nigel McCrery from Nottingham, the show has consistently had fans clamouring for more.

Traditionally filmed predominantly in London and other UK locales, the BBC has now disclosed plans to shift production to the West Midlands, aiming to infuse the show with a broader range of regional voices.

Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer said: "The BBC is committed to investing in the West Midlands. This plan will create a future-proof skills base in the region that will fundamentally change the landscape boosting high-impact content production with the arrival of the hugely popular hit series Silent Witness in 2024.

"I'm excited about the increased opportunities this will bring to the creative talent in the area."

Past series of Silent Witness are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.