BBC's Vigil has returned for a third season, taking viewers to the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard, where a murdered British official and a missing scientist set the stage for another gripping mystery. The show, which broke viewing records in 2021 with its first season set on a submarine, is back with a worthy addition to its canon.
The new season reunites viewers with DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) and DI Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie), whose relationship has evolved from early romance to raising a family together. As their personal lives have grown, so too has the scale of the challenges they face, both at home and in their high-stakes work investigating mysterious deaths.
Arctic Setting and Global Tensions
This season transports the couple to Svalbard, a barren and eerily uninhabited landscape occupied only by researchers working on specialist projects. The region has become a key piece of land on the global stage, with nations such as China, Russia and the UK all seeking to use it to their advantage.
Against a backdrop of climate change threats and escalating energy disputes, the new season plays on these tensions. When British special forces operator Daniel Hodge is found dead and Chinese scientist Shen Jia disappears, Silva and Longacre are recruited to solve the mystery. Heated political rivalries make this far from a simple murder case, as the pair navigate betrayals, threats to their lives, and revelations that could spark an international crisis.
A Storyline Overshadowed
Each episode is packed with twists and turns, making it difficult to discuss without entering spoiler territory. The season also delves into Kirsten's return to work after maternity leave and the challenges of new motherhood for both characters.
While watching Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie bring this relationship to life remains a delight, the season's political ambition at times overshadowed their storyline. The push and pull between focusing on Kirsten and Amy and the wider plot was more pronounced than ever.
As much as the series has been enjoyed, the ambition of the show appears to have outgrown its premise. This season serves as a poignant tribute to Amy and Kirsten's journey, and there is hope that creator Tom Edge will bring his talents to a new show next.
Vigil season three premieres tonight at 9pm on BBC One.
