Silent Witness | Series 26 Preview (BBC One)

Silent Witness returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in January with two new recruits joining Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox) and Jack Hodgson (David Caves) for five thrilling new contemporary stories, told over ten episodes.

Aki Omoshaybi (The Pursuit Of Love, Queens Of Mystery, Real) plays Gabriel Folukoya, an academic, neurologist and pathologist who has spent much of his career in innovative research, primarily in the field of data analysis.

The new series also sees Jack’s niece Cara Connelly (Rhiannon May) return as a more regular character; arriving unexpectedly from Belfast to announce she is starting a university course in Criminology, giving Jack little choice but to let her stay with him while she studies. Cara soon wins her uncle around, excelling in her studies and proving a future professional match for Jack.

Episode 1: When a man is thrown from a high-rise building, the team are propelled into the criminal underworld of a notorious mafia group, the Ndrangheta. Aided by the National Crime Agency, Nikki and her team set about uncovering the truth.

As they descend deeper into the murky depths of the investigation, Nikki soon finds herself caught in the mafia’s web, with deadly consequences.

On joining the cast, Aki says: “I couldn’t be more excited to be joining such a long running and much loved series. Gabriel has much less practical experience than Nikki and prefers to computer model an autopsy than to slice a body open, but deep down Gabriel knows he needs people like Nikki and Jack. He’s at a juncture in his life where he needs to make changes, to open up more, to allow himself to be more vulnerable.”

Alastair Michael (Ridley Road, Snatch) plays Velvy Schur, the Lyell’s new APT (Anatomical Pathology Technologist) trainee, as recommended by Clarissa Mullery. Velvy has recently left his ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and is now finding his own path, balancing his career and his faith, which he still holds very dear to his heart.

Nawfal Faizullah, Executive Producer for the BBC says: "Following a hugely successful anniversary series, we are thrilled that Silent Witness is returning to our screens, back and better than ever. Led by the fantastic Emilia and David and with a new team joining the Lyell, we can't wait for audiences to see this gripping new series."

Silent Witness returns Monday 2nd January at 9pm on BBC One.