There’s always space in our lives for a dark and mysterious thriller - which is handy, as the BBC has announced an edgy new drama that looks set to dominate screen time this autumn.
Vigil is a gripping six-parter in which a strange death sees the police brought in to investigate, but this is no run-of-the-mill murder mystery, because much of the action takes place underwater; in a nuclear submarine, to be precise.
As the series is from the makers of Line Of Duty, Bodyguard and The Pembrokeshire Murders, we already know that it’s set to follow in the footsteps of these prestige dramas. But until we can get submerged in the storyline, here’s a deep-dive on everything we know about it so far:
What’s the big idea?
It’s an intriguing premise. The official synopsis reads: “The mysterious disappearance of a Scottish fishing trawler and a death on-board the Trident nuclear submarine HMS Vigil brings the police into conflict with the Royal Navy and British security services.”
It gets deeper, as the personnel brought in to check out the dodgy dealings on board will end up leading “an investigation on land and at sea into a conspiracy that goes to the very heart of Britain’s national security.”
The show's writer, Tom Edge, explained the unusual concept: “The ‘Continuous At Sea Deterrent’, better known as ‘Trident’, has been a contentious part of national life for half a century now, a stock of nuclear missiles kept hundreds of feet below the sea surface. But this world has rarely been explored on screen. I can’t wait to take a BBC One audience down with us, into the pitch-black icy waters of the unseen Atlantic, where tomorrow’s geopolitical struggles are already being played out.”
It’s the second maritime-themed drama that the BBC are banking on for their autumn season, as the brutal Victorian whaling ship tale, The North Water, is also set to hit TVs in just a few weeks as well.
Who is starring in the show?
The big hitters are Martin Compston (fresh from what’s been mooted as the final Line Of Duty), who will appear as Chief Petty Officer Craig Burke; alongside Suranne Jones (who previously headed up Doctor Foster and Gentleman Jack) who will play Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva.
Jones says: “Amy Silva is a brilliantly complex character, thrown into a highly charged situation where her authority is weakened. We watch as she navigates her own personal trauma and loss, all at a time when she’s questioning her relationships and life choices. It feels fresh and relevant.”
Also along for the ride are Rose Leslie, Shaun Evans and Paterson Joseph, and the rest of the cast features Anjli Mohindra, Connor Swindells, Adam James, Gary Lewis, Stephen Dillane, Lolita Chakrabarti, Daniel Portman, Lorne MacFadyen and Lauren Lyle.
The series will be directed by James Strong and Isabelle Sieb.
Is there a trailer?
Yes - two in fact, so we’ve got all bases covered:
“It’s perfectly safe…” Funny, everything screams the exact opposite of that in the first minute long trailer.
“How are you in confined spaces?” Probably best not to ask…
When will it air?
Vigil is on BBC One on Sunday 29 August at 9pm, with episode two at 9pm on the Bank Holiday Monday, 30 August. Vigil will then continue weekly each Sunday night.
