Silent Witness Fans Directed to Gripping Forensic Drama Traces
Devotees of the long-running BBC forensic series Silent Witness are being encouraged to discover another compelling crime drama that has kept audiences glued to their screens. The alternative, titled Traces, debuted on the BBC in 2021 and has since become a perfect binge-watch option following recent scheduling adjustments to the latest instalments of Silent Witness.
A Forensic Thriller Set in Scotland
The crime thriller centres on three female forensic experts: Emma Hedges, portrayed by Molly Windsor, Sarah Gordon played by Laura Fraser, and Kathy Torrance brought to life by Jennifer Spence. Together, they piece together evidence in a complex murder investigation, working diligently to secure a conviction. The series unfolds primarily in and around Dundee, Scotland, though it is an intriguing production note that most of the BBC filming actually took place in Bolton, Manchester.
Creation and Plot Details
Created by acclaimed writers Val McDermid and Amelia Bullmore, the drama follows Emma Hedges, a laboratory technician who returns to her native Dundee for a fresh professional position. Beyond her forensic duties, she harbours a deeply personal quest to uncover the truth surrounding her mother's unsolved killing, adding a layer of emotional depth to the procedural narrative.
Initially broadcast on the Alibi channel, both series of Traces subsequently transferred to BBC One, with the final episode of its 12-part run transmitted in 2024. In the show, Fraser portrays Sarah Gordon, a Chemistry professor at the University of Tayside who becomes Emma's superior at the Scottish Institute of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology (SIFA). Spence takes on the role of Kathy Torrence, a forensic anthropology professor at the same university and a fellow SIFA colleague.
Viewer Reactions and Praise
Audiences have flocked to platforms like IMDb to express their enthusiastic opinions on the programme. One user, craigpetterson, noted: "Set in Dundee, Scotland, great performances by the cast. Keeps the viewer hooked until the end." They added: "Congratulations to Alibi for commissioning and producing such a high quality production in Scotland."
Another viewer, Barryrd, enthused: "I was glued to Britbox watching the first season of this highly enjoyable show. This great drama consisted of several episodes and showed how a young woman, who lost her mother as a child, struggled valiantly to find out the truth of her mother's death. The story had me transfixed to my screen and highlighted the science of forensics which is such a fascinating part of solving crimes in the 21st century."
Bella-10103 praised the series as "addictive", adding: "Binged watched this over a couple of days, absolutely loved Traces." Lyninbyron summed up their experience: "I binge watched in one day. I had to! Riveting story, great cast but missed quite a bit of the dialogue due to fast, garbled lines. That said, I rate it a 10 for being excellently written. Series two please, can't wait. Congratulations to all involved."
Traces is currently available for streaming on NOW, offering fans of forensic dramas a new and engrossing series to delve into.
