Silent Witness: Behind the Crime Drama Curtain with Emilia Fox

As Silent Witness returns for its 27th season, fans brace themselves for another round of intense mysteries that promise to test the limits of the Lyell Centre team. Multi award-winning and still going strong, the crime drama takes on five two-part cases that delve into chilling scenarios, from the resurfacing of a serial killer to a university campus terrorized by death.

At the core of the series are the unwavering duo, pathologist Dr. Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox) and forensic expert Jack Hodgson (David Caves). Emilia Fox, in an exclusive interview, provides insights into the evolving dynamics of Nikki and Jack’s relationship.

“In the past, because they had worked alongside each other for so long and had got closer and closer, it begged the question, ‘If they like each other so much, and they get on so well, why have they not got together?’ So now, they have come together and now need to navigate having a working relationship and a ‘relationship’ relationship,” says Fox.

Adding depth to their relationship, Fox explains, “So much of the show, quite rightly, is about being respectful towards the subject matter, but with each other Jack and Nikki can have a bit more of a jest and a joke and play that out within their relationship.”

Moving away from the high drama, Fox emphasizes the importance of the quieter moments between Nikki and Jack, asserting, “It’s often about just being together. So they have got some really lovely moments. And because of the darkness of the subject matter, they become more and more close. They’ve been so work focused. But as you get older, do you place a different emphasis on what’s important in life? They’re both discovering that in this series.”

When asked about working with David Caves, who portrays Jack Hodgson, Fox doesn’t hold back her admiration. “We’ve worked together for over a decade now. It’s amazing – time flies when you’re having fun! We come at the work with the same professional attitude, both wanting it to be the best it can be and caring about it. And David is a really brilliant actor.”

Discussing the first episode of the new series, Fox provides a glimpse into the gripping storyline. “Straight away, we’re into a case where a body is found in a church. The detective who comes onto the case recognizes the MO as being possibly linked to a serial killing case that she worked on two decades ago.”

As the plot unfolds, Nikki’s commitment to sticking with the facts, rather than getting swayed by the detective’s bias, becomes a central theme. Fox shares, “In this episode, Nikki doesn’t want to be consumed by who the killer might have been and what their character was like. She wants to stick with the facts and not get led by the detective.”

The intrigue deepens when Nikki meets Charles Beck, played by John Hannah, a character from the original case. Fox reveals, “Through having a feeling and an affiliation with him because of the job and also through understanding that he is a man who is losing his memory, she becomes more involved with him than she thought she would. And she likes him, which makes it complicated when she discovers something about him.”

Beyond her role as Dr. Nikki Alexander, Fox also wears the hat of an executive producer on Silent Witness. Describing her role, she says, “There are lots of execs who do the proper, behind the scenes putting together of Silent Witness. I think my exec role is more as a caretaker.”

Fox’s dedication to creating a positive atmosphere on set shines through as she shares, “I really feel it, and I want it to be the nicest atmosphere possible. That creates the best bed for nurturing a performance. That way, people go away thinking, ‘I had a really good time, and I’d love to come back.'”

As the conversation shifts to the impressive list of guest actors on the show, Fox attributes the attraction to Silent Witness to its unique format. “The two-hour format really helps. Two hours is enough time to really get into the guest characters and the guest stories. We also have very good, strong writers who write terrific guest characters.”

Fox expresses joy in working with both seasoned and emerging talents, emphasizing the show’s welcoming atmosphere. “Silent Witness is a lovely show to work on, with really, really nice people across the board. That is one of the many reasons why I love it, and I hope that is what draws the guest actors to come and work for us as well.”

Acknowledging the impact of the show on real-life aspirations, Fox beams, “I have met lots of people who say that. I’m absolutely thrilled if watching a television programme can inspire someone to go, ‘Oh, I’m interested in that.'”

Reflecting on her 20-year journey as Nikki, Fox shares, “There are so many things I love about playing her. She has been an ally through my life in all sorts of different times – through my 20s, 30s, 40s, relationships, children, many varied jobs.”

Closing with a heartfelt sentiment, Fox expresses her ongoing love for Silent Witness. “Every single time the series starts again, I think, ‘I’m so happy to be on it.’ I just love it!”

In the realm of crime dramas, Silent Witness and Emilia Fox’s portrayal of Dr. Nikki Alexander continue to captivate audiences, proving that the perfect blend of suspense, character dynamics, and a touch of humanity can create an enduring masterpiece.

Silent Witness series 27 will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday 8th January 2024 at 9pm