Silent Witness fans have claimed that a new addition to the show – actor John Hannah – has elevated the crime drama to greater levels in this 27th series.
The new series kicked off tonight (January 8), with episode 2 available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Viewers loved the start with plenty saying it was the best episode the show has done in years.
They attributed this, partly, to The Mummy and Four Weddings and a Funeral star Hannah, who plays pathologist Charles Beck.
Related: Silent Witness producer shares show changes ahead of season 27
One fan commended the show for staying fresh after so long and claimed that Hannah rose above the rest of the cast, writing on X: "After four hundred and eleventy series, it must be hard to come up with original stories but crikey, #SilentWitness has done it again. And John Hannah has wiped the rest of the exemplary cast off the screen."
That fan wasn't the only who took that stance, with another writing: "Well #JohnHannah just acted everyone else off screen."
Another viewer proclaimed: "That was a good opening episode. John Hannah’s presence has elevated this cast."
Related: Silent Witness star explains importance of one storyline compared to co-stars
Meanwhile, one fan said that they had been close to giving up on Silent Witness but the addition of Hannah, plus the legendary Josette Simon, has reignited their love for the show.
The fan explained: "I was tempted to give up on #SilentWitness after last year’s series but they’re back with a bang, helped in no small part from acting legends Josette Simon and John Hannah."
Some other fans enjoyed more than just Hannah's acting, however, with one writing: "Hands up who is just listening to John Hannah and not really noticing the plot." Another viewer added: "Not Silent Witness low key reigniting the crush I’ve had on John Hannah since 1999."
Silent Witness is available to watch on BBC iPlayer airs on BBC One.
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Jacob is a freelance writer who specialises in narrative TV and film.
He graduated from the University of Roehampton with an MA in Journalism and has written for several publications since, including Gold Derby, Insider, and Screen Daily.
Jacob has covered major events in the world of film and TV, including numerous BAFTA ceremonies and the Cannes Film Festival, while he's also been an awards expert for several publications, including Korea's Arirang. His particular areas of interest include Star Wars, the MCU, the Oscars, and Hugh Grant.
