SILENT AS THE DEAD
BAD news first - Silent Witness saw one character die and another quit in the final episodes of series 23.
Now for the good news, the BBC drama will be back with not one but TWO new series. Here's all the details.
When will Silent Witness be back on the TV?
Silent Witness fans went on an emotional roller coaster as the 23rd series came to a dramatic - and deadly - conclusion.
But fans who were left sobbing after the death of a main character, were soon cheered by the continuity announcer saying that TWO more series were on their way.
The 24th season will air in 2021 - and the expectation will be that it will be on our screens in January.
This will be followed by a 25th anniversary series in 2022.
The show began way back in 1996 with the lead role of Sam Ryan played by Amanda Burton.
Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, told : “Silent Witness entertains audiences from all generations and continues to be one of the UK’s most successful returning crime drama series.
"I’m thrilled it will continue to grip the nation in 2021, and can’t wait for viewers to see what is in store for its 25th anniversary in 2022.”
What can we expect in series 24?
The next series could see some dramatic changes at the Lyell Centre.
Head of the Lyell Centre, Dr Thomas Chamberlain, died at the end of series 23, paving the way for a new boss.
And in a double blow for the centre, they'll also be looking for a new forensic examiner, after Clarissa Mullery handed in her notice.
So Jack Hodgson and Dr Nikki Alexander will have some changes in their working lives.
Which characters will return in series 24?
Fifty per cent of the four main characters will not be returning in series 24.
Here's what happened, and who will and won't back in 2021.
Richard Lintern as Doctor Tom Chamberlain (dead)
Thomas's death in the series 23 finale was a shock for viewers as a cliffhanger had left fans thinking Jack was going to die.
The top doc became infected with a nerve agent, locking himself in the autopsy room so that nobody else would breathe it in.
As he choked to death he had memories of his daughter Rosie flying a kite.
Rosie has appeared in the show a few times, with one storyline revealing Thomas' ex had a new partner and baby.
Richard, 57, joined the show in 1996 as Head of the Lyell Centre, Doctor Thomas Chamberlain.
Liz Carr as Clarissa Mullery (quit)
Clarissa handed in her notice after the death of her mother left her asking questions about her future.
The forensic examiner, played by Liz Carr, could not be persuaded from leaving, despite Thomas' death.
Her exit will also see husband Max, played by Daniel Weyman, leave the show.
Liz, who has a rare condition called arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, joined the show in 2013.
that she quit the show after landing a part in sci-fi drama Infinite, with Mark Wahlberg.
Emilia Fox as Dr Nikki Alexander
Forensic pathologist Nikki has been the star of the show since 2004.
Emilia Fox, who plays her, is the longest-running actor in the BBC drama.
At the end of series 23 she was seen with Jack and Clarissa watching a video of their former boss, Thomas, flying a kite with his daughter.
Fans of the show will be hoping there are no more shake-ups to the cast and that Nikki will return for both the 24th and 25th series.
David Caves as Jake Hodgson
what's on tv?
Viewers were left on tenterhooks seeing if Jake would survive breathing in a nerve agent.
The penultimate episode of series 23 saw him collapse with blood running from his nose - and fans of the show were convinced he was going to die.
However in a huge twist Thomas saved Jack by finding out the key to the nerve gas - and then dying himself.
So after his near-death experience it's likely that Jack, played by David Caves, will be back in 2021.
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