Original Silent Witness star Amanda Burton will meet her successor Emilia Fox on screen when the hit series returns tonight for its 25th series.
The show, the longest-running crime drama currently airing anywhere in the world, promises a Covid-inspired storyline to a long-anticipated romance between Nikki Alexander (Fox) and Jack Hodgson (played by Northern Irish actor David Caves).
Fans are already taking to Twitter ahead of the episode, with one tweeting: ‘Is it okay to cancel plans with your boyfriend after not seeing him for a week to watch #silentwitness?!’
Dynamic duo: Original Silent Witness star Amanda Burton (left) will meet her successor Emilia Fox (right) on screen when the hit series returns tonight for its 25th series
Original star: Burton made her debut as pathologist Sam Ryan in February 1996 – the year of Dolly the Sheep, the Spice Girls’ debut and Diana and Charles were about to finalise their divorce – before leaving early in series eight in 2004. Above, in 1998
Another posted: ‘Bought an internet package for today and tomorrow. Because #SilentWitness25 #SilentWitness! IT IS BACK TODAY! WHOOO!’
A third wrote: ‘Today!! It’s today!! Silent Witness is back!! Never been so excited for a series to come back.’
Burton made her debut as pathologist Sam Ryan in February 1996 – the year of Dolly the Sheep, the Spice Girls’ debut and Diana and Charles were about to finalise their divorce – before leaving early in series eight in 2004.
Tonight she returns when her husband Jomo Mashaba (Hugh Quarshie) is shot dead and Dr Nikki is called to help solve the case.
Love is in the air? The show, the longest-running crime drama currently airing anywhere in the world, promises a Covid-inspired storyline to a long-anticipated romance between Nikki Alexander (Fox) and Jack Hodgson (played by Northern Irish actor David Caves), pictured
Counting down the hours: Silent Witness fans joked about cancelling plans to stay in and watch the series 25 premiere on BBC1
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The explosive opening examines a Covid-era issue, health passports and the pricelessness of a nation’s health data.
Sam, who now has white blonde hair, an expensive dark suit and bold red lipstick, is prospecting in the goldmine of personal health records.
Fans last saw the character – who appeared in 54 episodes – leaving to return home to Northern Ireland to be with her family.
Speaking on reprising her role, she said: ‘I am so excited to be returning to Silent Witness and stepping back into Sam Ryan’s shoes – with a difference.
The explosive opening examines a Covid-era issue, health passports and the pricelessness of a nation’s health data. Pictured, Dr Nikki Alexander (Fox) with Dr Simone Tyler (Genesis Lynea)
‘Audiences can look forward to plenty of twists and turns as they discover what Sam’s been doing since leaving the Lyell.’
Emilia said: ‘It is such a delight and thrill to be working with Amanda. To have Sam Ryan back again at the heart of the show is the greatest way of all to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Silent Witness.’
There is also love on the cards.
Series 24 ended with a kiss between Nikki and Jack which caused a fan frenzy on social media.
The stars have stayed quiet about what happens next, but the opening episode sees them heading into a hotel room together.
Silent Witness airs tonight at 9pm on BBC1
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