The series was produced for the BBC by the same company behind Line of Duty and Bodyguard.

The first series aired in 2021 (Image: BBC)
Some TV dramas make an impact when they first air, but only a handful keep growing in popularity years later. Viewers often disagree on what the BBC’s best series is, yet one show keeps coming up again and again. People say it is gripping from the first episode, easy to follow, and packed with great performances.

Many fans also say it stands out from other recent BBC dramas and deserves far more attention. Others have urged new viewers to start it as soon as possible, and some say they “cannot wait” for the next series. Several reviewers have even gone as far as calling it the greatest BBC drama ever made.

Suranne Jones plays Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva (Image: BBC)

The show they are talking about is Vigil. The series has a respectable 71% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but many fans say it deserves a far higher one.

One person said: “The show is BBC back to its best. I love the premise, the cinematography and the writing. Everyone must watch this show and you will be hooked from the start.”

Another added: “There’s not much I can say other than it’s the greatest BBC drama series ever made. It is an absolute masterpiece where everything works perfectly together. The cast, the writing, the editing. I pity anyone who hasn’t seen this series and I can’t wait for season 3.”

A third wrote: “The series is fantastic. The story line is complex but just enough to be exciting and easy to follow.

“I’ve been on the edge of my seat quite a few times and I’ve not been distracted as it’s so exciting and interesting. Suranne Jones is as always amazing and her acting skills only blow you away even more.”

Rose Leslie plays Detective Inspector Kirsten Longacre (Image: BBC)

Someone else commented: “What a ride. This show had so many twists and turns. I highly recommend it. The back stories, relationships and the naval intrigue was outstanding. Suzanne Jones and Rose Leslie are excellent as always.”

The first series aired in 2021 and was created by Tom Edge, produced by World Productions, the same company behind Line of Duty and Bodyguard.

It starred Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Shaun Evans, Paterson Joseph, Gary Lewis and Martin Compston.

Most of the story took place onboard HMS Vigil, a Royal Navy ballistic missile submarine.

The show was an instant hit. Its opening episode reached 10.2 million viewers in its first week, making it the BBC’s most-watched new drama of the year. It later won Best Drama Series at the International Emmy Awards.

The second series arrived in December 2023 and followed a new storyline based around drone technology rather than submarine operations.

Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie returned, joined by Dougray Scott and Romola Garai.

The BBC renewed the drama again in February 2025. The third series is set in an Arctic research station and filming began in September 2025.

In the meantime, the first two seasons are available to stream free of charge on BBC iPlayer with a valid TV licence.