Grab a warm jacket as the BBC renews the drama ‘Vigil‘ for Season 3, which will see Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie head off to a remote Arctic research station for more crime-solving.
Premiering in 2021, the drama introduced us to DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) and DI Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie) as Silva was enlisted to solve a murder on a navy submarine in Scottish waters. The second season, which aired in 2023, saw the duo solving a case around a drone warfare test which went out of control across Scotland and the Middle East.
The third season will see Silva and Longacre head to a remote Arctic research station, where a member of a covert British special forces mission has been shot dead. Amy and Kirsten will need to catch the killer and diffuse a potential international confrontation, driven by a land-grab for energy and resources in the changing polar climate, with both their careers and relationship on the line.
“I can’t wait to return to Vigil series three, see our brilliant team in Scotland and work with Rose again,” said Jones. “I’m sure it will be a thrill of a ride.”
Rose Leslie adds: “I can’t wait to get stuck into another season of Vigil, to work with the wonderful Suranne Jones again and our brilliant crew. And this time, Kirsten will get to pack her bags and join Amy on what’s set to be Vigil’s most high-stakes mission yet!”
The renewal isn’t a huge shock, given ‘Vigil’ is one of the UK’s most successful dramas this decade. It was nominated for Best Drama Series at the 2022 BAFTA Television Awards and went on to win the International Emmy for Best Drama Series. Season two launched in 2023 to nearly nine million viewers and was in the BBC’s top three most-watched dramas of the year.
“World [Productions] have been thrilled by the way such huge audiences have embraced Vigil’s unique combination of murder mystery, action-adventure and political thriller,” said Jake Lushington, executive producer for World Productions. “And of course the magnetic chemistry that Suranne and Rose bring to DCI Silva and DI Longacre. We can’t wait to bring you the next instalment set in the most extreme location yet visited.”
The six-episode 3rd Season will be made by World Productions in association with ITV Studios for the BBC. It is written and created by Tom Edge. The producer is Marcus Wilson, and associate producer is George Aza-Selinger. Executive producers are Jake Lushington for World Productions, Gaynor Holmes for the BBC, and Tom Edge. Vigil’s international distribution is handled by ITV Studios.
“After the barnstorming success of Vigil series one and two, it’s our pleasure to announce the return of Silva and Longacre for what promises to be their most adrenaline-fuelled mission yet,” said Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. “Tom Edge and the World Productions team have excelled themselves with a brand new mystery and setting which will give Vigil’s millions of fans even more of the brilliant, blockbuster drama they’ve come to expect and love from this very special show.”
‘Vigil‘ Season 3 does not yet have a premiere date but will air on BBC One and iPlayer. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
