The BBC has released the first trailer for Vigil Series 3, giving us a tense new look at Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie’s return as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre. The six-part drama returns on Sunday, 30 August 2026, with the new investigation taking the pair to a remote Arctic research station.
This time, Amy and Kirsten are investigating the death of a British special forces officer who has been shot during a covert mission. Their search for the killer becomes tied to growing international tensions as different nations compete for control of the Arctic and its resources, leaving the pair questioning who to trust.
When Is Vigil Series 3 on BBC?
Vigil Series 3 begins on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, 30 August. The first two episodes will be available on iPlayer that day, with Episode 1 airing on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday and Episode 2 following at 9pm on Monday, 31 August.
Two episodes will then be released on BBC iPlayer each Sunday, with BBC One continuing to air individual episodes on Sunday and Monday nights at 9pm.
How Many Episodes Are in Vigil Series 3?
There are six episodes in Vigil Series 3. With two arriving on BBC iPlayer each week, viewers will be able to stream the complete series across three weeks rather than waiting six weeks for the full investigation.
Who Is in the Vigil Series 3 Cast?
Suranne Jones returns as Amy Silva alongside Rose Leslie as Kirsten Longacre. Dominic Mafham is also back as Sir Ian Downing, with Gary Lewis reprising his role as DSU Robertson.
New additions include Jeppe Beck Laursen as Svalbard Chief of Police Henrick Becken, Naomi Yang as microbiologist Shen Jia and Tornike Gogrichiani as Russian Colonel Fyodor. Steven Miller and Benjamin Wainwright play Special Boat Service operators Mark Cunningham and Oli Pickford, with Danusia Samal, Eric Godon and Rebus star Amy Manson also joining the cast.
Is There a Trailer for Vigil Series 3?
Yes. The BBC released the first Series 3 trailer on 17 August, showing Amy and Kirsten arriving in the Arctic as the investigation quickly becomes bigger than a single murder. Explosions, car chases and questions over who can be trusted all feature in the first look. Have a look at the trailer below.
Series 3 was filmed in Svalbard and Scotland, continuing the show’s strong Scottish connection even as the story moves into the Arctic.
For CultureCues, we are very happy to have Amy and Kirsten back. Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie are brilliant together, and moving the investigation to the Arctic gives Vigil a completely different setting again after the submarine and military-drone stories of the first two series. The new trailer looks seriously tense, and the fact parts of the series were filmed in Scotland gives us another reason to be excited. We will definitely be watching when the investigation begins at the end of August.
Vigil Series 3 begins on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, 30 August 2026. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
CultureCues Editorial is the house byline for short-form entertainment news, trailer updates, release announcements and industry coverage. All CultureCues content is overseen by founder and editor Nikki Murray.