Silent Witness series 29: Cast of The Disappearance of Alice Hill part 1 and 2 include Adam Rayner and Mollie Winnard
What a way to kick off a new series!
Silent Witness returns to the BBC with series 29 – a little later than usual – and kicks off with the new two-parter The Disappearance of Alice Hill and a gaggle of fresh faces in the guest cast.
The eternally popular crime drama is back with “five thrilling new contemporary stories”, told over 10 episodes.
And while there’s no need to change the formula, there’s a new location in 2026. And, now working out of Birmingham, the team face their toughest cases yet…
Here’s everything you need to know about the guest cast list of Silent Witness series 29 episodes The Disappearance of Alice Hill Part 1 and 2. In the two-hander, Nikki and Jack hunt a hitman who confesses to a murder someone else was jailed for.
Zita Sattar portrays DCI Jilly Bashir
Birmingham-born Zita Sattar, 50, guest stars as DCI Jilly Bashir as Silent Witness returns with series 29. And she find herself clashing with Birmingham newbie Dr Nikki Alexander. She bites that she’s “not used to having my operational decisions questioned by pathologists”. But we’re Team Nikki all the way!
As well as her extensive work in theatre, actress Zita is probably best known for her role in Casualty. She played Anna Paul for two years between 2001 and 2003. Joining as a nervous but bubbly student nurse, she soon became a popular part of the emergency department until she was tragically killed off in a train crash in the episode The End of the Line.
Zita, whose dad is Pakistani, made her very first TV appearance in 1987 when she popped up in the TV series Y.E.S. She went on to star in Heartburn Hotel, According to Bex, and Mount Pleasant.
Between 2017 and 2020, she portrayed Miss Tapioca in the Bella Ramsey children’s series The Worst Witch. Other notable roles include Yvonne Bukhari in Russell T. Davies drama Years and Years, Sam Delaney in Responsible Child, Dr Ward in Coronation Street, and Miss Abel in Phoenix Rise.
Most recently, she played DC Ruth Croft in Until I Kill You, and PS Ruth Edwards in The Cleaner.
Silent Witness series 29 cast The Disappearance of Alice Hill: Adam Rayner stars as Gary Booth
Shropshire-born Adam Rayner plays Gary Booth as Silent Witness returns. The 48-year-old is known for his strong game face, as well as more than two decades on our screens.
He began his TV career portraying Nick Bottomley in At Home with the Braithwaites, before subsequently appearing in episodes of Making Waves, Vincent, Sensitive Skin, and Doctor Who.
Adam is probably most famous for playing Dominic Montgomery – love interest of Siobhan – in the dating drama Mistresses. Between 2010 and 2011, he portrayed Dr. Steve Shaw in the US medical drama Hawthorne opposite Will Smith’s then wife Jada Pinkett.
Other significant roles include Aidan Marsh in Hunted, Dr Gail in Miranda, Barry Al-Fayeed in Tyrant, Max Gilford in Notorious, Matthew Collier in The Fix, and Douglas Strickland III in Warrior.
The highlight of his extended flirtation with the States was probably playing Morgan Edge – aka Bizarro Tal-Rho – in Superman and Lois. Now, back in UK soil, we’re happy to have him in Silent Witness.
In real life, the actor is married to fellow actress Lucy Brown, with whom he has two children.
Jason Done portrays Sgt Robert Andrews
Lancashire-born Jason Done, 52, stars as Sgt Robert Andrews in the cast of Silent Witness this week. He will be very recognisable to TV fans for his roles in TV series such as Merlin, Where the Heart Is, and Waterloo Road.
Coincidentally, Jason began his TV career playing a copper as well! In Clive Watson in Mother’s Ruin, and PC Brian Rainford in Wokenwell.
But it was his Stephen Snow in Where the Heart Is that really plonked him in multiple living rooms.
Between 2006 and 2013, Jason played Tom Clarkson in Waterloo Road. Tom was an English teacher and arguably one of the most inspirational teachers that the school ever had.
Other notable roles include Philip Davies in The Hack, P.O. Banks in series 1 of Time, Gary Walker in Innocent, and Jake in Run.
Silent Witness series 29 cast The Disappearance of Alice Hill: Mollie Winnard stars as DI Claire Ferris
Mollie Winnard, from Wigan, portrays DI Claire Ferris in Silent Witness. She’s only been on TV for nine years but has certainly made quite the impression with two very big roles.
The 28-year-old first popped up as Zoe in 2017 Ashley Jensen drama Love, Lies and Records, before going on to play Kayla Clifton in ITV soap Coronation Street. It was a role any actor would have died for.
She first arrived in Weatherfield in 2018 as a waitress working at Speed Dial, and befriended local residents Bethany Platt and her friend Craig Tinkers. However – bombshell dropped! – Kayla was actually the daughter of Neil Clifton, the corrupt police officer linked to the sex ring led by his friend Nathan Curtis. Neil had sexually groomed and raped Bethany. Kayla blamed Bethany for her dad’s imprisonment.
After leaving the soap following 30 explosives episodes, Mollie went on to play Demi in Four Lives, and domestic abuse victim Joanna Hepworth in Happy Valley. Viewers of the brilliant crime drama will know she was subsequently beaten to death by a dodgy pharmacist, and stuffed into a suitcase.
More recently, Mollie’s been having a much nicer time in All Creatures Great & Small as barmaid Maggie, a role she’s played since 2020.
Dino Fetscher plays Jason Webb
Cardiff-born Dino Fetscher portrays Alice Hill’s husband, who – at the beginning of the episode – is in prison for her murder.
The Welsh star, 37, is currently portraying Environment Institute worker Gareth Morgan in the cast of sublime crime drama Under Salt Marsh.
He is perhaps best known for playing Alec Wayfield in Paranoid, Stanley in Humans, and Glawen Curr in Foundation.
Dino, who mother is German and father is Welsh-Basque, also played Thomas Beech in Gentleman Jack, and DC Marty McGreggor in Fool Me Once.
Tony Gardner stars as Ron Hill
Lancashire-born Tony Gardner, 62, is a veteran actor with more than 30 years experience under his belt. He’s largely known for his comedic roles, and early roles came in series and sketch shows such as Grown Ups, Sunnyside Farm, The Armstrong and Miller Show, and The Armando Iannucci Shows.
Between My Parents Are Aliens, before going on to portray Michael in Lead Balloon, Dan Miller in The Thick of It, and Lieutenant Colonel Smith in Bluestone 42.
As well as working with Tracey Ullman on multiple sketch shows, Tony has also played Tony Shales in Fresh Meat, Ivan Schloss in Stella, John in Last Tango in Halifax, and Alec Norman in The Larkins.
In more serious roles, Tony has also featured in Gentleman Jack, Midsomer Murders, Innocent, Unforgotten, and Doctor Who.
Singer Ruby Turner plays Fanny Bogle
Ruby Turner – MBE no less – plays grumpy shop owner Fanny Bogle. She is actually best known as a singer. The British Jamaican R&B and soul musician and songwriter – a regular on on BBC’s Jools’ Annual Hootenanny – has a singing career spanning 40 years.
As well as her own music, she’s known for her work as a session backing vocalist, with artists including Bryan Ferry, UB40, Jools Holland, and Mick Jagger.
As an actress, she’s played Anita Goodall in EastEnders, and Jean Anderson in the hit film Love Actually.
Who else guest stars in the cast of Silent Witness series 29 episode 1 and 2?
Levi Brown stars as PC Davies. He’s only been on our screens since 2022, but has already made quite the impression. He played Two Time in I Hate You, and Jason Perry in Payback, before winning the role of Dante Williams in This Town.
This year, he portrayed Wes in the Paramount+ thriller Girl Taken.
Nathan Wright plays Steve Gantry. He’s best known for portraying Chris Reid in Doctors, a role he played between 2012 and 2014.
Actress Jane Slavin stars as Lois Hill. She has played Georgy Kepler in Peak Practice, Cathy Jordan in Always and Everyone, DSU Susan Devlin in The Bill, and Wendy Neeson in Corrie.
Philip Cumbus is Richard Mazer in the cast of Silent Witness The Disappearance of Alice Hill. He’s known for playing Andrew in Girlfriends, and Thomas Wolsey in The Spanish Princess. Between 2022 and 2023, Philip portrayed Charles Spencer in The Crown.
Full cast list for Silent Witness series 29 episodes 1 and 2, aka The Disappearance of Alice Hill:
Emilia Fox returns as Dr Nikki Alexander.
David Caves is back as Jack Hodgson.
Maggie Steed plays Harriet Maven.
Francesca Mills portrays Kit Brooks.
Zita Sattar portrays DCI Jilly Bashir.
Adam Rayner stars as Gary Booth.
Jason Done portrays Sgt Robert Andrews.
Mollie Winnard stars as DI Claire Ferris.
Dino Fetscher plays Jason Webb.
Tony Gardner stars as Ron Hill.
Ruby Turner plays Fanny Bogle.
Levi Brown stars as PC Davies.
Nathan Wright plays Steve Gantry.
Jane Slavin stars as Lois Hill.
Philip Cumbus is Richard Mazer.
The Turkish Detective star Diyar Bozkurt is Khalid Svet.
Class’ Sophie Hopkins stars as Alice Hill.
Casualty’s Evie McGuire plays Kerry Booth.
Laura Pitt-Pulford – aka Carol Butler in Emmerdale – portrays Suzie Clemence.
Anatomy of a Scandal actress Nancy Farino plays Saskia Hill.
London Kills’ Oliver Nicholas portrays Adam Hill.
The Inside Man’s Lesley Moloney plays Home Secretary.
Murder Before Evensong‘s Morgan Philpott stars as Booth’s Brief.
British Rationals’ Benjamin Lok stars as Feng.
