Silent Witness

BBC

8 TOTAL REVIEWS Write A Review
0 EPISODES ONLINE Watch Online
TheOldBill User Score: 989
EDITOR

EDIT

Show Summary

Premiered: Feb 21, 1996
Status: Returning Series

Welcome to the Silent Witness guide at TV.com.''''Silent Witness is a forensic thriller series, which was first broadcast in 1996, created by ex-police officer Nigel McCrery. The programme originally followed the activities of pathologist Dr Sam Ryan (who was later promoted to professor), played by Amanda Burton. However, Ryan's character departed early in the eighth series in 2004. During the sixth series in 2002, Dr Leo Dalton (William Gaminara) and Dr Harry Cunningham (Tom Ward) had joined the team, and now remained in the series and continued as lead characters following Ryan's departure, with Dalton replacing her as professor. Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox) joined the team shortly after Ryan's departure. Orginally set in Cambridge, the main action of the series was then relocated to London.''''The programme is typically made up of a series of two-part stories, usually with six to eight episodes per series. The tenth series saw the number of stories go up to five. A new series is expected to air on BBC1 in early 2010.''''So far, only the first two series have been released on DVD in the UK. However, a set of the third and fourth series is expected to be released in February 2010, with the possibility of further releases to follow.''''Creator Nigel McCrery has also published five novels based on the series, entitled:''Silent Witness (1996) Strange Screams Of Death (1997)''The Spider's Web (1998) Faceless Strangers (2001) In Search Of Evil (2003)moreless

7.7

Average Rating: Good

221 votes

Your Rating: 10

"Perfect"
Your Rating: 9.5

"Superb"
Your Rating: 9

"Superb"
Your Rating: 8.5

"Great"
Your Rating: 8

"Great"
Your Rating: 7.5

"Good"
Your Rating: 7

"Good"
Your Rating: 6.5

"Fair"
Your Rating: 6

"Fair"
Your Rating: 5.5

"Mediocre"
Your Rating: 5

"Mediocre"
Your Rating: 4.5

"Poor"
Your Rating: 4

"Poor"
Your Rating: 3.5

"Bad"
Your Rating: 3

"Bad"
Your Rating: 2.5

"Terrible"
Your Rating: 2

"Terrible"
Your Rating: 1.5

"Abysmal"
Your Rating: 1

"Abysmal"

Rate It

Episode Guide

See All

S 14 : Ep 10	The Prodigal (2)	Aired 2/1/11
S 14 : Ep 9	The Prodigal (1)	Aired 1/31/11
S 14 : Ep 8	Bloodlines (2)	Aired 1/25/11
S 14 : Ep 7	Bloodlines (1)	Aired 1/24/11
S 14 : Ep 6	First Casualty (2)	Aired 1/18/11

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Amanda Burton

Dr./Prof. Samantha "Sam" Ryan (Series 1-8) (1996-2004)
Tom Ward

Dr. Harry Cunningham (Series 6-) (2002-)
Emilia Fox

Nikki Alexander (Series 8-) (2004-)

Fan Reviews (8)

See All

If i was mudered il'd want these three to try and catch my killer

9.5

"Superb"

By bellagirl_008, Oct 26, 2009 Report Abuse

I must say the original series of the show with amanda burton as sam ryan i didn't like i just hated sam ryan as a character and had avoided the show, however recently a friend made me watch it when we were watching tv and i absolutly love it, i love harry, nicki, and leo i like the cases they investigate now, and the writing and the storylines they show are so much more intresting than the ones they showed before, the investigating is done well the science is intresting and the bosies always look so real, i don't know how any one could'nt love it can't wait till the next season.moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
2 1
Such a brilliant show, probably my favourite BBC programme!

10

"Perfect"

By charli_lou88, Jul 10, 2009 Report Abuse

I absolutely love this show. The idea of the body offering up clues and therefore helping to solve the case enthralls me. I also think the characters of Harry, Nikki and Leo are fantastic. They bring their own sense of humour into the show, especially Harry, which lightens an otherwise dark programme. Harry and Nikki's somewhat complicated relationship is another factor that draws the viewer into the show. The sexual tension flies between the two, even if they refuse to see it. You can tell that they are more than friends by their actions towards each other, not to mention the playful banter and innuendo. For example, in the last episode of series 11 when Nikki nearly gets killed (but rescued by DI Mays at the last minute), she returns to the lab and Harry immediately walks up to her and hugs her. He then asks her if she's okay, and she tells him that the doctor had a look at her. Harry then replies with "Lucky doctor". That sentence speaks volumes if you ask me! Anyway, the show is utterly amazing, and I cannot wait for series 13 this autumn!moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
0 0
True British Crime Drama

9.9

"Superb"

By KayrynShadow, Jun 14, 2008 Report Abuse

I started watching 'Silent Witness' when it first aired in Finland back in the late 90's and so far I've seen the first eight seasons. I was fascinated by the idea of a woman pathologist and as I saw the first few episodes I knew I was hooked. In true British fashion, displaying dead bodies without covering them up much unlike in US shows, to the point of being gross, but it also adds to the reality of it all. I also think that comparing 'Silent Witness' to shows like CSI etc. is not right. From what I've seen of SW, it's very different and definitely on a different level altogether from other crime shows. Though the show most definitely focuses on solving the cases, it also adds just enough of drama and depth for the characters to keep you hooked. In fact, with her infuriating stubbornness, dry sense of humor and a tragic past Sam Ryan to me was the best feature of the show (until season eight, anyway) so much so that I still miss the character.moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
0 0
Those who cannot speak of their death, now tell stories

8.7

"Great"

By _Tamm_, Mar 01, 2008 Report Abuse

It is a unique show. It's not fake, it is like it is. And, i like it more because it's a British show. Their accent brings a special touch to episodes. Sam Ryan seems to be the only one taking care for the dead. It is absurd knowing that a million of people dies every day, but we know the truth of only half of those cases. For some, we shall never find out the truth. This show is about that truth. Seeking the truth where a few could seek. Sam is reading a thoughts of those who cannot speak, those to whom is done great injustice. I like this show too, because it is representing the world as it is. There are no cop heroes, as in American shows. They are all as they are. Nothing is only black or only white. Even the main character has it's own weaknesses. But...Of course there must be some mistakes. The main character is leaving. And, off course the show is not the same. There the magic stops. The show is running on still, but without the Sam, nothing is the same, it's just not deserving to be given a 10.moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
1 0
The show that is starting to get it's spark back, Silent Witness!

8.5

"Great"

By bubbly_jayne_sj, Nov 10, 2007 Report Abuse

This show started off really well. But as with all shows it has its hiccups, problems and good episodes. Sometimes the writers go a little over the top and send us all to bed in the middle of it. But in the more recent episodes the show seems to be getting back on track and becoming more believable. Thankfully the writers have kept us on the edge of our seats and not sent us to sleep during the new episodes. It no longer is trying to be CSI and is staying the through and through British program that it started out as. Yes it's true that for a while it was completely lost but I'd like to say WELCOME BACK to Silent Witness.moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
2 0

Write a Review

Forums

Add a Topic See All

Last Activity

Replies

Best police officer?
Who do you think is the best police officer from the earlier seasons? My favourites were Speedy and Tom Adams!

By natalie492, Nov 25, 2007

08/11/11

3
Reply
help
hi, i'm new to this site... this may sound really stupid but can i download or play silent witness episodes on this site? i misse...

By kateycush, Feb 06, 2011

07/10/11

5
Reply
Blood ties.
Hi,New to this site and I just wanted to say how much myself and my work mates loved this weeks episode,how refreshing that the s...

By Denise-w, Jan 27, 2011

02/08/11

3
Reply
Amanda Burton/ Sam Ryan
I really like the early silent witness episodes and have most of them on dvd, there is still one season left to get. i was just wo...

By hollytuckey, Jun 14, 2009

12/26/10

8
Reply
At last - Series 13!
Have a look at what I found:!: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/2010/wk1/thu.shtml I cannot wait!

By natalie492, Dec 15, 2009

03/01/10

9
Reply