The gritty drama is back for its 26th season and there are some new faces in town (Picture: BBC)

Silent Witness is making its 2023 comeback with a brand new series airing on BBC on Monday, January 1.

The crime drama is about to enter its 26th season and has added some new faces to the old cast who play a squad of the nation’s best investigators. 

Set in the world of forensic pathology, the saga follows professionals as they solve crimes up and down the country under the leadership of Dr Nikki Alexander, played by Emilia Fox. 

The latest instalment follows an epic finale and gritty 25th run that had audiences gripping the edges of their seats in suspense. 

According to producers, the next collection of stories will continue to follow the regular pattern of the two-part stories that are told over consecutive nights.

Who will be returning to the much-loved thriller this year?

Emilia Fox as Dr Nikki Alexander 

Emilia Fox returns to play Dr Nikki Alexander (Picture: Getty Images)

The celebrated actress will return to lead the cast as the curious and confident pathologist, Dr Nikki. 

After sharing a kiss at the end of the 24th series, in the next season, Emilia’s character enjoyed the beginnings of a fully-fledged relationship with co-worker Jack Hodgson – it’s believed the upcoming run will see how it develops further.

David Caves as Jack Hodgson

Jack’s relationship with Nikki will be explored in the new season (Picture: BBC)

Jack Hodgson is the Lyell Centre’s Lead smart, level-headed Forensic Scientist. 

In season 26, producers are expected to further explore his relationship with Dr Nikki.

Alastair Michael as Velvy Schur

Alastair will see his character blossom in the new episodes (Credits: BBC Studios)

Alastair returns to play the unit’s new APT (Anatomical Pathology Technologist) trainee.  

Having recently left his Orthodox Jewish community, the new episodes will see the rookie battle his fair share of obstacles.

Aki Omoshaybi as Gabriel Folukoya

Gabriel is an academic that has spent the majority of his career in research (Picture: Getty Images)

The Pursuit of Love actor will take on Gabriel, an academic, neurologist and pathologist who has plenty of innovative research under his belt.

Rhiannon May as Cara Connelly

Rhiannon plays deaf character Cara (Picture: The Other Richard)

Returning to the latest series as a regular character, Cara made an appearance as Jack’s niece in previous episodes. 

Chatting with the BBC about her role, Rhiannon said: ‘It’s exciting that the BBC and Silent Witness want to show a wonderful deaf character. 

They want to show her in lots of different lights and take the opportunity to show a lot of different kinds of ways of communicating.’

Alongside a host of familiar faces, the 26th season will invite some guests to add flair to the already tense drama…

Sophia Myles as Laine Cassidy

Details of Sophia’s character are largely unknown (Picture: Getty Images)

Playing Louise Campbell in A Very British Scandal, there’s little information about Sophia’s character other than she will be part of a team investigating the mafia in the first few episodes.

Nadine Marshall as DI Sarah Torres

Nadine also played a role in the drama Sherwood (Picture: WireImage)

Nadine is fresh from the cast of Sherwood and is said to be an officer on a case during episodes three and four of the new series.

Will Willoughby as Anthony Drinkwater

Will has been speculated to appear as one of the show’s victims (Picture: Getty Images)

Another unknown, there has been speculation that Will’s character may be one of the show’s victims but no details have been released as of yet.

Kate Robbins as Bev

Kate’s role remains a bit of a mystery (Picture: BBC Studios)

The actress’s previous body of work includes EastEnders, After Life as Penny Spencer-Wright and the soap opera Crossroads.

Kate Bracken as Lucy Stevens

Kate plays Lucy, a character that gets wrapped up in a case (Picture: Getty Images)

Known for her role in Killing Eve, Kate’s character finds herself wrapped up in the middle of episode four’s main case. 

Watch Silent Witness season 26 on Monday, January 2 2023 at 9pm on BBC One.

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Emilia Fox and David Caves return for more thrills.