The BBC has confirmed that the previously postponed episodes of Silent Witness, titled 'The Enemy Within', are finally set to air this week following a series of unexpected schedule changes. The long-running forensic drama, now in its twenty-ninth season, faced significant disruptions that led to the episodes being removed from their original broadcast slots.
Why the Episode Was Initially Pulled
Last week, viewers expecting to watch 'The Enemy Within' over episodes three and four were instead presented with the opening instalment of 'Creekwood'. This last-minute substitution occurred because the BBC decided to pull 'The Enemy Within' from the schedule. The episode, which focuses on the forensics team investigating a racially motivated fatal stabbing, was deemed inappropriate following a horrific real-life attack in Birmingham the weekend before its planned airing.
A BBC spokesman explained the decision at the time, stating that due to the attack, the scheduled episodes would not transmit as planned. Instead, they were replaced with two episodes from later in the series. This move was intended to avoid causing distress or appearing insensitive in light of the tragic events.
Further Delays Due to Sports Coverage
After the initial postponement, fans hoping to catch the rescheduled episodes this week encountered another hurdle. Silent Witness was entirely removed from the schedules on Monday, February 16, due to coverage of the FA Cup. The football fixture between Hull City and Chelsea on Friday night caused a ripple effect across the BBC's programming lineup.
Death in Paradise, episode three, was bumped from its slot to make way for the match, leading to a chain reaction. Consequently, Death in Paradise was moved to Monday evening, pushing back Silent Witness. The forensic drama will now air on Tuesday, February 17, and Wednesday, February 18, at 9pm on BBC One, as announced by the BBC on social media platforms.
Star-Studded Cast of The Enemy Within
'The Enemy Within' features a compelling guest cast, including Chris Reilly from Slow Horses, Selin Hizli known for Am I Being Unreasonable?, Gerard Kearns from Waiting For The Out, and Phaldut Sharma of EastEnders fame. These actors join the show's regular ensemble, such as Emilia Fox reprising her role as Dr Nikki Alexander, David Caves as Jack Hodgson, Maggie Steed as Harriet, and Fran Mills as Kit.
The episode promises to deliver the intense, character-driven storytelling that has made Silent Witness a staple of British television for nearly three decades. With the series now set in Birmingham, it continues to explore complex cases through its forensic lens.
Updated Release Schedule for Season 29
Here is the revised broadcast plan for Silent Witness season 29:
- Episode 1: The Disappearance of Alice Hill Part One - Aired Monday, February 2 at 9pm
- Episode 2: The Disappearance of Alice Hill Part Two - Aired Tuesday, February 3 at 9pm
- Episode 3: Creekwood Part One - Aired Monday, February 9 at 9pm
- Episode 4: Creekwood Part Two - Aired Tuesday, February 10 at 9pm
- Episode 5: The Enemy Within Part One - Tuesday, February 17 at 9pm
- Episode 6: The Enemy Within Part Two - Wednesday, February 18 at 9pm
All episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer, allowing viewers to catch up on any missed instalments. The BBC's decision to delay 'The Enemy Within' highlights the broadcaster's sensitivity to current events and its commitment to responsible scheduling, even as it navigates the challenges of live sports coverage and last-minute changes.
