The BBC crime thriller Vigil has been lauded as a "brutal" and "chilling" series, earning widespread praise from critics and viewers alike, making it a must-watch for fans of Shetland and Line of Duty. Created by Tom Edge and produced by World Productions, the suspenseful British police procedural originally premiered in August 2021 on BBC One.
Plot and Setting
The first series, consisting of six episodes, stars Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Shaun Evans, Paterson Joseph, Gary Lewis, and Martin Compston. The story primarily unfolds aboard HMS Vigil, a Royal Navy ballistic missile submarine, a setting lauded for heightening the narrative's tension and claustrophobic atmosphere. The plot kicks off with a death on the submarine shortly after a Scottish fishing vessel mysteriously vanishes, leading to a conflict between police investigations, the Royal Navy, and MI5.
Critical and Viewer Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, critic Rachel Cooke described the series as having "a certain uncanny documentary streak, brutal and indubitably chilling." Viewers echoed this sentiment, with one calling it a "wonderful gritty British crime drama with a twist." Another praised the suspense: "Love the character. Love the suspense. It just keeps getting better." A third viewer noted the dual investigation lines: "Fascinating show! The story unfolds with two lines of the investigation taking place simultaneously on land and onboard." Others highlighted the character dynamics, with one stating, "Good suspense, excellent characters, I liked the use of flashbacks to dive into Amy and Kirsten's relationship." A reviewer added, "Absorbing and fast-paced, Vigil is a top-tier thriller." However, one viewer expressed reservations about the finale, saying, "The ending got a bit strained and melodramatic, but the rest was excellent."
Series Continuation
A second series aired in December 2023, and a third was commissioned in early 2025, with filming commencing in September 2025. The series remains available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
