Vigil season 1 full season guide: plot, cast and more

Vigil season 1 is a big thriller starring Gentleman Jack actress Suranne Jones.

Vigil season 1 recaps

Vigil episode 1 recap
Vigil episode 2 recap
Vigil episode 3 recap
Vigil episode 4 recap
Vigil episode 5 recap
Vigil episode 6 recap

Written and created by Bafta-nominated writer Tom Edge (Judy, The Crown, Strike), it has been an enormous hit and one of the best BBC dramas of recent times. The first series proved so popular we now have Vigil season 2.

The first series revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a Scottish fishing trawler and a death on-board a Trident nuclear submarine.

Recalling the first series, Suranne says: "One of the things I love about Vigil is the stunts. In series one, Amy was picked to go and do this extraordinary thing that she would never normally get to do; involving her landing on the submarine and having to quickly assess the situation and face her own fears. It was a very unusual and extreme situation."

Here's everything you need to know...

Vigil release date on Peacock

Vigil season 1 aired originally on BBC One in August 2021. The whole series is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

In the US, Vigil season 1 is available on Peacock Premium.

Is there a trailer for Vigil?

Yes, here's a trailer...

What’s the plot of Vigil?

Doctor Foster's Suranne Jones stars as DCI Amy Silva. Silva is called in when there appears to be a link between the mysterious disappearance of a fishing boat and a death on a nuclear submarine.

The two incidents result in a clash between the Navy and the British security services. Silva begins an investigation at sea, while back on land, Amy's old colleague and flame DS Kirsten Longacre (The Good Fight's Rose Leslie) hunts for more clues. And what she discovers is a conspiracy that threatens Britain’s nuclear deterrent. Is her life in danger? And can she crack the mystery before it’s too late?

Talking about playing Amy, Suranne says: "She's supposed to be on HMS Vigil for three days, but she uncovers lots of other things and ends up getting trapped down there for longer. Due to Navy protocols, she has no way of openly communicating with the land, and the only way Amy and Kirsten can contact each other is through heavily monitored telegrams.

"But Amy chooses Kirsten for this mission because they have a history and she asks Kirsten to hide messages about elements of the land investigation in her telegrams."

Vigil cast

Starring alongside Suranne Jones is Game of Thrones star Rose Leslie as DS Kirsten Longacre who helps Silva lead an investigation on land and at sea into a conspiracy that goes to the very heart of Britain’s national security.

Line of Duty actor Martin Compston also stars while other cast includes Stephen Dillane (Game Of Thrones), Lolita Chakrabarti (Riviera), Daniel Portman (Game Of Thrones), Lorne MacFadyen (Grantchester), Stephen McCole (Save Me), Tom Gill (Peterloo), Lois Chimimba (Top Boy), Anita Vettesse (The Loch), Bobby Rainsbury (Call The Midwife), Cristian Ortega (Beats) and Lauren Lyle (Outlander).

How many parts is Vigil?

Six one-hour episodes. Filming had to be paused at one stage due to the pandemic, but it then resumed around Glasgow. Vigil is set and was filmed in Scotland, and is supported by the National Lottery through Screen Scotland.