There was little question that Vigil wouldn’t make a big impression before it exploded into our screens. It’s directed by World Productions, whose extensive resume includes both Line of Duty and Bodyguard, as well as a slew of other critically acclaimed dramas (Save Me and The Pembrokeshire Murders, to name just a couple). Then there’s the star-studded ensemble, led by Suranne Jones, and the essential talent behind the camera – creator and writer Tom Edge, whose writing credentials include Strike and The Crown, and director James Strong, who previously worked on Broadchurch.
According to official BBC data, the finale had an average overnight viewership of 7.1 million people and a peak audience of 7.3 million viewers. And that amount is anticipated to rise in the following weeks when iPlayer and catch-up numbers are assessed, raising the question: will there be a season two?
The BBC hasn’t said anything about its future, but with ratings like that, the network will want a second season on its books, as we’ve seen with Bodyguard, which hasn’t been formally announced but is strongly rumored to be returning for additional episodes.
Anjli Mohindra (medic Tiffany Docherty) confirmed to RadioTimes.com that there had been an incident “”Conversations” regarding a second season have taken place, with the producer adding, “I think there’s things on the horizon.” But nothing has been confirmed as of yet.”
Release Date and Casting
First and foremost, we require vital regeneration. If it is approved, we wouldn’t anticipate new episodes until the end of 2022, or maybe early 2023. The first installment of the drama was not kind to a lot of characters.
Mark Prentice (Adam James), Jade Antoniak (Lauren Lyle), and Jackie Hamilton (Anita Vettesse) all died, thus they aren’t eligible. And, despite the fact that Craig Burke (Martin Compston) was immortalized in the films he made after his murder, his tale felt very much walled in. Treacherous petty officer Matthew Doward was still alive and well at the end of the first episode, but he’s now in the clutches of MI5, thus actor Lorne MacFadyen is unlikely to return.
Storyline
“We’ve probably told all the stories we’d want to tell aboard a submarine,” Edge remarked (via RadioTimes.com). “Some of the personas we’ve created as we’ve gone along feel like people we’d like to spend time with. So, if everyone else is willing to do it, I’m sure I’ll be up for it.”
So it appears that we have seen the last of HMS Vigil, which means a new setting and new problems. But it’s difficult to say what that entails or which characters we’ll see again. We’d anticipate another crime to be at the centre of things, but it’s unclear if “Silvacre” would be in charge of the investigation or which industry it will focus on.
