Silent Witness is one of BBC One's most popular shows, having first aired in 1996. Now on season 23 and with over 20 years under its belt, we have put together some fascinating facts all about the brand new season - find out all the info here!
Nikki will deal with a difficult case in episode five
In the upcoming episode on Monday night, which is the first of a two-part special which will air over consecutive evenings, Nikki has to look into a murder where a woman has been found dead on train tracks. Although it looks like suicide, Nikki is convinced that it was actually murder, and staged to look like otherwise. The case also stirs up difficult memories from Nikki's childhood. Find out more on BBC One at 9pm!
Emilia Fox is the longest starring cast member
Although Emilia only entered the show as Nikki in season eight, the show has been going on for so long that she is by far the longest starring cast member, having featured in 16 series since 2004. William Gaminara made it to second place as Leo Dalton, with ten series of the hit show under his belt. He left the series back in season 16, and made a guest appearance in season 20. Richard Lintern is currently the shortest serving cast member, having joined the show for season 17, but even he has already starred in seven series, impressive!
The new series is filmed in London
Although the show has looked at crimes taking place all over the country, the new series will be based primarily in London. Richard Lintern previously told Radio Times: "I think there was a conscious decision taken on this particular series of Silent Witness to focus on London, to bring London more in as a character than it’s been before. And I think that’s coincidental with the advent of drone photography which has allowed you aerial access to cities in a much cheaper and more cost efficient way than it used to be." The show is filmed in areas including Westminster, Richmond, Camden, Southwark, Camden, Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea.
The creator is a former murder squad detective
Nigel McCrery really knows what he is talking about in the show – because he was once a murder squad detective himself. As a member of the Nottinghamshire Constabulary, he worked on murder cases before retiring aged 34 after injuring his back. He then went to Cambridge University, and upon graduating he joined the BBC's Graduate Scheme.
The show has been going for 24 years
The drama has been on British television for a very long time, and has an impressive 24-year series run so far! The show has had more time on air than other hit series including Jonathan Creek, Midsomer Murders and Only Fools and Horses. Chatting on This Morning, Emilia said: "It's a great cast and a great crew, and the production values are still so high."
READ: Silent Witness 2020: Meet the cast of series 23
Emilia Fox's brother is also currently starring in a crime drama
Like sister, like brother! While Emilia is solving murders in Silent Witness, her brother is over on ITV as the prime suspect on White House Farm. Freddie Fox plays the real-life convict Jeremy Bamber, who was found guilty of murdering his parents, sister and two nephews in 1985, before attempting to make it look like his sister Sheila, who had schizophrenia, had committed the crimes.
Silent Witness is shown in a whopping 235 territories
According to the BBC, Silent Witness is particularly popular in Norway and Germany, and is shown in an incredible 235 territories, who knew!
READ: White House Farm: what are the facts about the murder case?