First Look At Vigil Series 3

If there’s a BBC crime boxset we will never stop recommending, it’s Vigil – so we’re thrilled the BBC has renewed the drama for series 3. High-stakes yet filled with heart, the first series introduced us to the complicated relationship between DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) and DI Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie) as the former investigated a mysterious death on a submarine, while the latter showcased their reunited lives as Amy again travelled to the scene of a mysterious crime on the line of duty.

More than 10 million people tuned in to every episode of series 1 when it aired in 2021, and while series 2 whisked Amy and Kirsten to the Middle East, this time they’re off to frosty climes, as we can see in the BBC’s newly released first-look images.

What’s in store for Vigil series 3? Here’s everything we know so far.

Rose Leslie (Kirsten Longacre) in Vigil series 3. (© BBC/World Productions/Mark Mainz)

Vigil Series 3: Plot, Cast, Release Date & More

From the creators of Line of Duty, Vigil is one of the BBC’s most successful series of the decade – so it makes complete sense that we’d return to the lives of Amy and Kirsten for a third series. ‘I can’t wait to return to Vigil series three, see our brilliant team in Scotland and work with Rose again,’ Jones said on the news at the start of 2025. ‘I’m sure it will be a thrill of a ride.’

Suranne Jones (DCI Silva), Gary Lewis (DS Robertson) and Rose Leslie (DI Longacre) in Vigil series 3. (© BBC/World Productions/Mark Mainz)

What Will Happen?

According to the BBC, Vigil series 3 will see the return of DCI Amy Silva (Jones) and DI Kirsten Longacre (Leslie) in Scotland as they’re faced with a new case. This time, a member of a covert British special forces mission has been shot dead at a remote Arctic research station. Amy and Kirsten are tasked with catching the killer, all the while diffusing a potential international confrontation, with this murder fuelling on the burning flames of land-grabbing and resource insecurity in the changing polar climate.

‘I’m delighted that Suranne and Rose are returning for a new adventure,’ Vigil’s writer Tom Edge says. ‘In our third season we travel to the frozen north where the world’s great powers are competing to secure advantages as the ice melts. With a brilliant cast and crew assembling to make the show, we hope to deliver an epic investigation that shines a light on issues that will shape the world we all live in.’

‘I can’t wait to get stuck into another season of Vigil, to work with the wonderful Suranne Jones again and our brilliant crew,’ Leslie adds. ‘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!’

Suranne Jones (Amy Silva) in Vigil series 3. (© BBC/World Productions/Mark Mainz)

The Cast

Suranne Jones will return as DCI Amy Silva, opposite Rose Leslie as DI Kirsten Longacre. They will be joined by familiar faces like Gary Lewis as DS Robertson and Dominic Mafham as Sir Ian Downing. But there are lots of new faces, too, including Jeppe Beck Laursen, Steven Miller, Naomi Yang, Benjamin Wainwright, Tornike Gogrichiani and Danusia Samal.

Other additions include: Artur Zai Barrera, Jordan Duvigneau, Kaisa Hammarlund, Adam Fidusiewicz, Eric Godon, Conor Berry, Amy Manson, Jason Tobin, Steven Cree, Killian Coyle, Derek Riddell, Alma Prelec, Dawn Sievewright and Shereen Cutkelvin.

Speaking to C&TH, Yang, who can currently be seen in Sky’s Under Salt Marsh, said: ‘I absolutely adore the series and so it’s very exciting to get to be a part of season 3.’ A keen runner, she had some interesting new terrain to explore…

Naomi Yang in Vigil series 3. (© BBC/World Productions/Mark Mainz)

Where Was It Filmed?

Vigil series 3 was once again filmed in Scotland (specifically in and around Glasgow) – but a new frosty new location was also needed for the Arctic plot, and these scenes were filmed in Svalbard. A Norwegian archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole, this is one of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas, known for its remote terrain, colourful houses, midnight sun and polar night. The population sits at around 2,880 people, while wildlife like reindeer, arctic foxes and polar bears also call Svalbard home. ‘It’s going be hard to beat that for a work trip,’ star Yang joked.

‘I bought some crampons and did a few runs whilst I was there and would just quietly say to myself every few seconds, “wow”,’ Yang added. ‘I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing. The highlight though has to be seeing fresh polar bear tracks – whilst also making absolutely sure that they were now far enough away!’

You can read the full interview here.

Tornike Gogrichiani in Vigil series 3. (© BBC/World Productions/Mark Mainz)

Vigil Series 3 Release Date

No specific date just yet, but the BBC assures us Vigil series 3 will air on BBC One and iPlayer in 2026. The series will be made up of six episodes.

Vigil series 1 and 2 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.