“Vigil” puts two police officers against the Royal Navy in a mystery that moves between land and sea. The series follows DCI Amy Silva and DS Kirsten Longacre as they investigate the disappearance of a Scottish fishing trawler and a death aboard HMS Vigil, a ballistic missile submarine. The case draws in the Navy and British security services, and the investigation splits between Silva working on land and Longacre working at sea.
Trailer, via BBC.
The Premise
Tom Edge created the series, and it premiered on BBC One on 29 August 2021. The first season runs six episodes and centers on HMS Vigil, a submarine off the coast of Scotland. Silva and Longacre face pressure from the Navy and security services as they dig into a conspiracy tied to Britain’s national security.
The Cast
Suranne Jones plays DCI Amy Silva and Rose Leslie plays DS Kirsten Longacre. Gary Lewis appears as DSU Colin Robertson, while Tornike Gogrichiani plays Fyodor Zamorin. The first season also includes Shaun Evans, Paterson Joseph and Martin Compston.
What Works
The tension between Silva and Longacre is the engine of the series. Silva handles the land side of the case, while Longacre works aboard the submarine. That split gives the show room to build suspense across two settings. The mystery itself is well paced, with revelations that keep the audience guessing.
Where It Falls Short
The submarine setting limits the scope of the action. Much of the early series plays out through conversations and reports, which can slow the pace. Some viewers may find the middle stretch of the first season less gripping than the opening or closing hours.
Comparing the Seasons
- The first season sets the stage aboard HMS Vigil, establishing the central mystery.
- The second season moves to land and shifts focus to prototype drone technology.
- The third season moves to an Arctic research station on Svalbard.
Final Word
“Vigil” succeeds as a tense, well-cast police procedural. The central relationship between Silva and Longacre holds the series together, and the mystery stays compelling across its three seasons. The submarine setting is a strong idea, even when it slows down the pacing.
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