Silent Witness series 29: 'Beautiful city' where crime drama is now set and filmed, and why it moved from London
New city, new cases...
Silent Witness is back with a new series – its 29th! – and Jack’s facial hair isn’t the only big change in 2026 – the series is now set in Birmingham.
This year, Nikki and Jack are the new forensic scientists on the block. And their unique methods don’t make them any friends at first…
In episode 1, The Disappearance of Alice Hill, Nikki manages to annoy at least one of the police officers she is working with. But don’t worry, Nikki, Birmingham is a big place!
So where exactly is Silent Witness now filmed? And why did it move to Birmingham? Here’s everything you need to know.
Where is Silent Witness set and filmed now?
Forensic crime drama Silent Witness is now set in Birmingham as of series 29. Viewers tuning in to the 2026 episodes will notice a very different background.
Previously, the long-running series was set and filmed in and around London, specially the fictional Lyell Centre. But that has all changed. In the trailer for the upcoming 10 episodes, viewers hear Jack’s voice saying: “Birmingham has surpassed all expectation.”
The team are now working at the “shiny new” Bowman centre. In episode 1, Nikki, Jack, Harriet and Kit open the doors to the Sir William Bowman Centre of Excellence in Birmingham for the first time.
Viewers will also see famous Birmingham landmarks during the 10-episode run, including the Selfridges and Bull Ring Shopping Centre, St Martin’s in the Bull Ring Church, and the Town Hall and Council House. Cast and crew also filmed in the surrounding countryside of Birmingham, and near the city’s canals. Episodes 7 and 8 – entitled Grace of God – use nearby Shrewsbury Prison for unsettling scenes.
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In episodes 9 and 10, Jack and Kit are seen in Birmingham’s Chinatown. The vibrant street bridges the gap between Grand Central Station and Gay Village. It is overflowing with restaurants, shops and venues.
Why did the Silent Witness team leave The Lyell Centre?
Silent Witness series 28 ended on a bittersweet note. Although it was a happy ending for Nikki and Jack, who finally got married, the future of The Lyell Centre looked precarious.
The Silent Witness series 28 cliffhanger left us in the uncomfortable position of not knowing who would return in series 29 at their new home in Birmingham.
The final episodes of Silent Witness series 28 saw Nikki Alexander faced with a tricky dilemma. In episodes 9 and 10 – entitled I Believe in Love Part One and Two – Nikki had a ‘secret’ meeting with the Home Office about a new job in Birmingham.
Talking to fiancé Jack, she explained: “They were sounding me out about setting up a new centre of excellence.”
She went on to admit that the finer details still needed to be ironed out. In later scenes, viewers saw Nikki seemingly sat in from of Home Office officials discussing the role further. However, she was visibly uncomfortable to learn that they planned to force The Lyell boss Harriet Maven to “retire” – even though she didn’t want to. Nikki told them: “I would love to make it work, but I can’t. We’re a team. I’ll only do it if Harriet is in charge.”
Obviously the brilliant Nikki got her way. As the whole team – Nikki, Jack, Harriet and Kit – are now working from the Bowman Centre in Birmingham.
Why did Silent Witness move to Birmingham?
The Beeb made the decision to move production from London to Birmingham for the 2026 series – the 30th anniversary of the crime drama.
The long-running hit drama series began production in the West Midlands last year, as part of a plan that “will see the BBC boost TV drama production in the region”.
Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer says: “The BBC is committed to investing in the West Midlands. And this plan will create a future proof skills base in the region that will fundamentally change the landscape boosting high impact content production with the arrival of the hugely popular hit series Silent Witness.”
Mark Linsey, MD for Scripted, BBC Studios says: “This is an exciting time for one of our longest-running dramas that continues to thrill audiences here in the UK – and in over 200 territories around the world. We look forward to seeing the creative opportunities relocating production of Silent Witness to the West Midlands will undoubtedly bring.”
Who is William Bowman?
Sir William Bowman lived between 1816 and 1892, and lived until he was 76 – not bad for those days. William is a famous surgeon, anatomist, histologist, and pioneering ophthalmologist. In short, a very clever man whose research used microscopes to study various human organs.
The Victorian-era British surgeon research revolutionised understanding of the kidney and eye. He discovered important parts of the eye, including a layer in the cornea now called Bowman’s membrane.
He was a friend and supporter of Florence Nightingale and helped provide trained nurses for the sick.
Birmingham is a ‘really beautiful city’
Jack and Nikki are starting married life in Birmingham, so they have to find a new home to live in and settle into a new workspace. Those viewers with an aversion to PDAs might not enjoy the gazing into each other’s eyes and smoochies. Kit isn’t that impressed either!
Talking about the new Silent Witness filming location, actress Emilia Fox – who plays Nikki – said: “Birmingham is a really beautiful city. There are some incredible industrial buildings where the history of Birmingham feels very present. That was as exciting to discover as the beautiful countryside, which is close to Birmingham, which we were also fortunate to film in. I think it gives the series a different aesthetic feel.”
She added: “The canals are so striking, and I think that all helps give the show different evolutions, different regular characters and different locations for the show to be based in. People in the city have welcomed us and been very friendly. I have loved exploring. I didn’t know about the different quarters, and mostly explored through going to eat, like in the jewellery quarter when I had one of the best Italian meals I have ever had. Then going to the Balti triangle and having a Balti. You have to do that when you are in Birmingham!”
Nikki also joked that she’d picked up some lingo, including “alright Bab” and “ta’ra-a-bit”.
‘Birmingham has this mix of grit and heart’
Meanwhile, Jack actor David Caves told us: “Jack and Nikki are settling into a new home in Birmingham. They are getting used to The Bowman Centre. They are trying to find a bit of balance. The set-up [of the move to Birmingham] happened at the end of the previous series. The writers have woven the move into the story nicely. The team is adapting to new surroundings, new faces, and a slightly different pace of life. It’s a proper reset. But, of course, being Silent Witness we don’t exactly get a quiet start.”
Talking about filming in Birmingham, he continued: “The people were brilliant, really welcoming and genuinely excited that we were there filming in their city. Birmingham has this mix of grit and heart that suits the show down to the ground. Plus, the food was great. I might’ve finished filming a few pounds heavier.”
‘The fabulous four have been offered new placements at The Sir William Bowman Centre of Excellence’
Lastly, Kit actress Francesca Mills said: “The fabulous four have been offered new placements at The Sir William Bowman Centre of Excellence after Nikki cheerled for everyone to come with her [at the end of series 28]. Jack, Nikki, Harriet and Kit start this series in a new location, a new office and many new cases and crimes to solve.
“I loved filming in Birmingham. For starters, the Midlands has a huge fan base for the show itself. So whenever we were filming on location the public were so excited to see the iconic show setting up camp on their street.
“On a personal note, I loved being so close to the Bullring shopping centre. I used to go there all the time with my Mum growing up. So being back there gave me a lot of nostalgia. I am a Midlands girl myself, so it was lovely being so close to my family while we filmed this series.”
Silent Witness final episodes filmed in Oxford
Episodes 9 and 10 leave Birmingham to film in and around the historic city of Oxford. The opening scenes see a drone swoop over the picturesque university, city centre, parks, and punts on the Cherwell.
Of course, Oxford is a cathedral city known for its prestigious uni, one of the oldest in the world, and for being a jewel in England’s crown.
Cast and crew were seen filming for series 29 in August 2025. In this episode, The Bowman team investigate when a dead body is discovered in an Oxford river and another case on a university campus.
Timeline of Nikki and Jack's relationship in Silent Witness
2013: Jack Hodgson first met Dr Nikki Alexander when he joined The Lyell Centre in series 16. It wasn't love at first sight, but they became close colleagues and later good friends.
2017: Fans will know one of their most momentous scenes in the early days was when Jack had to race against the clock to save Nikki from being buried alive at the end of series 20.
2018: Despite her growing feelings for Jack, Nikki dated dishy American Matt, played by Michael Landes, during series 21, 22 and 23.
2021: After nine series of will-they-won’t-they lingering looks, the pair finally gave in to their feelings for each other at the end of series 24 in 2021. The pair first shared an emotionally-charged kiss roughly halfway into the 10th and final episode. Both of them had flirted with romance elsewhere in the series – Jack with a friend of Simone, and Nikki with student Ollie. But they could no longer deny the chemistry between them.
2022: Following years of close friendship, their relationship deepened significantly in series 25. They enjoyed their first date, and Nikki was there for Jack when his dad died.
2024: The couple got closer and more committed during series 27. Jack declared his love for Nikki at the end of Death By A Thousand Hits (in a cemetery!). In the season finale, the loved-up pair made the ultimate commitment to each other. They got engaged during very sweet scenes. Handing her an engagement ring (cunningly disguised in an evidence bag), Jack told her: "I can't imagine a day without you. Will you marry me, Nikki? Will you?" And, naturally, Nikki (Emilia Fox) said yes. After a big smooch, of course.
2025: They married in a small, intimate ceremony during the season 28 finale.
2026: Jack and Nikki are now husband and wife, and have started a new life in Birmingham.
