"Silent Witness" (1996)TV series 1996-????

Directors:

Mike Barker
Ben Bolt

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Release Date:

21 February 1996 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot Keywords:

Police

Awards:

6 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

William Gaminara	...	Leo Dalton / ... (51 episodes, 2002-2007)
Tom Ward	...	Dr. Harry Cunningham / ... (51 episodes, 2002-2007)
Amanda Burton	...	Sam Ryan (46 episodes, 1996-2004)
Emilia Fox	...	Nikki Alexander / ... (33 episodes, 2004-2007)

Runtime:

120 min (Season 3,4,and 5) | 60 min (season 1,2,6 - 11)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:MA (some episodes) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Extras: Ben Stiller (#1.1)" (2005)

A fine example of British drama

I always enjoy this show for the following reasons: It gives a wonderful insight, if simplified, into the world of forensic pathology, an area in which I would love to work.

Each new case is original, well constructed and thoughtfully presented. They remain topical, without the feeling of an after-school special relating to current affairs.

Unlike shoddy American drama, the focus is on the storyline and character development. The reason that dialogue is not snappy and constant is because it would turn the characters into one of the "Friends" brigade - where cheap laughs are more important than the integrity of the character.

The show is challenging - plots and subplots intertwine cleverly, meaning it's not a "background" show, but one which is completely consuming for the viewer.

The honest make-up/autopsy scenes. These just fit, without being sensationalist, and add to the realistic feeling of the show.