The BBC has announced that the long-running crime drama Silent Witness has been put out to competitive tender, inviting external production companies to pitch for the contract to produce the series. This process is required under the terms of the 2016 BBC Charter and Agreement.
An official BBC statement reads: "We're putting the production of long-running BBC drama Silent Witness out for competition. The full invitation to tender, including eligibility criteria, will be published on this website in the coming weeks, with enough time for suppliers to do appropriate research and preparation. The BBC will continue to broadcast the programme and will retain all rights. This activity forms part of our commitment to making a range of commissioning opportunities available to the market."
Fan Demand for Liz Carr Return
The update comes shortly after fans issued calls for actress Liz Carr to reprise her role as Clarissa Mullery. Series 29 ended in March, and the BBC confirmed that series 30 will air next year.
On the show's official Instagram, a throwback clip of Clarissa's departure in 2020 prompted comments from viewers. One person said: "I miss Clarissa; she played that character brilliantly. I wish she would make a guest appearance in Season 30." Another wrote: "Clarissa, you legend! What an amazing character she was, and Liz Carr played her perfectly. She's sorely missed, and I'd love to see her make a guest appearance in series 30!"
A third commented: "I miss Clarissa and so hope that she will make a visit to the Bowman Centre in S30!!! Btw, these last two eps (S23) were shocking to me as I really didn't think that she was going to leave - especially after losing Thomas!" A fourth shared: "I would love Clarissa to make a guest announcement for S30 anniversary. Missed very much. X"
