‘Vigil’ adds Romola Garai and Dougray Scott to Season 2 cast

The new season of Vigil has announced some exciting additions to the cast!

From the makers of Bodyguard and Line Of Duty, the submarine thriller series was a huge hit when it launched in the summer of 2021.

Vigil was created by The Crown and Strike writer Tom Edge, who also wrote Renée Zellweger’s ’60s drama Judy.

The first season was the UK’s most-watched new drama launch over the year, gripping more than 13 million viewers and going on to win an International Emmy award.

Inevitably a second season was swiftly commissioned and we can now confirm that the six brand new episodes will begin filming this spring in Scotland and Morocco.

Suranne Jones (Gentleman Jack) and Rose Leslie (Downton Abbey) will both reprise their roles as Amy Silva and Kirsten Longacre from Season 1.

Also returning is Gary Lewis (Outlander) as DSU Robertson.

They’ll be joined in Season 2 by Romola Garai, we’ve learned today.

British period fans will recognise the actress from Emma, Atonement, Becoming Elizabeth, and The Hour.

Garai commented: “It’s a huge privilege to be welcomed in as a part of Vigil series two and to be playing such a layered, complex character. I can only hope to do justice to the shows continued fascinating, challenging and thrilling storytelling.”

Scottish actor Dougray Scott has also joined the cast.

He’ll be familiar from movies like My Week with Marilyn, Mission Impossible 2, and Enigma.

Scott said: “I’m delighted to be joining the cast of Vigil series two – the first was so highly regarded and widely watched, and I’m really looking forward to collaborating with Tom Edge and Andy De Emmony. Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie are great talents and I’m excited to be working with them.”

Other new Vigil cast members include Amir El-Masry (SAS Rogue Heroes), David Elliot (Bulletproof), Chris Jenks (Karen Pirie), Tommy Sim’aan (The Midwich Cuckoos), Oscar Salem (House of the Dragon), Jonathan Ajayi (Noughts + Crosses), and newcomer Hiba Medina.

Praising the “brilliant new scripts and amazing additions to the cast,” star Suranne Jones teased: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Vigil team again and continuing our story. Buckle up. It’s quite a ride.”

When’s the release date?

Season 2 is expected to premiere in early 2024 on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer.

The second season will take Silva and Longacre into the world of the British air force to investigate an unexplained tragedy.

An official synopsis reveals: “Following multiple unexplained fatalities at a Scottish military facility, Silva and Longacre are tasked with uncovering the cause.

“Entering the hostile and closed ranks of the air force, the pair must face the deadly warfare of tomorrow as they fight for their own future.”

The first season of Vigil is available on DVD.