Season 2
The highly anticipated second season of the hit BBC One show Vigil has returned, bringing with it a brand new story and new filming locations.
In this season, following multiple deaths at a Scottish weapons test, Amy Silva and Kirstyn Longacre are on a mission to uncover the cause. They delve into the closed ranks of the air force in Scotland and the Middle East, facing the deadly warfare of the future and fighting for their uncertain future.
The Scotland-based scenes were filmed in the vibrant city of Glasgow. Actor Dougray Scott, who is originally from Scotland, expressed his excitement about filming in his home country, stating, "I've loved filming in Glasgow. I spend a lot of time in Scotland and I love being here. The crews have been fantastic."
For the Middle East scenes, the production team traveled to north Africa, specifically Morocco. Romola Garai, who plays squadron leader Eliza Russell, described the different aesthetic of this season, saying, "We've got these vast desert landscapes of openness and heat haze, people disappearing into a massive horizon rather than being locked up in a tiny submarine, as we saw in series one. It's a totally different experience for the viewer as we explore a different world within the military."
Season 1
The first season of Vigil takes viewers on an investigation into a dead serviceman aboard the fictional nuclear submarine HMS Vigil. The police clash with the Royal Navy and elite security services as they try to lead an inquiry into the death without compromising the UK's nuclear deterrent. The drama also involves a missing Scottish fishing trawler. The series was filmed in various locations in Scotland during the summer of 2020, with Glasgow being the primary filming location. Iconic landmarks such as the Squinty Bridge, Finnieston Street, Hamilton Park Avenue, and Blythswood Square were used.
Where is Vigil set?
In season 2, Vigil is set in both Scotland and the fictional town of Wudyan in the Middle East. Suranne Jones, the leading lady of the show, expressed her surprise and excitement about the second season, stating, "Tom Edge and the writers have done a brilliant job at putting a new world together for the second series. It's done in a way that keeps you in a populist, blockbuster entertainment show, but is really quite intelligent and thoughtful about what's going on in the world."
In season 1, the story is set on the fictional HMS Vigil, a Royal Navy nuclear submarine. The submarine, part of the Vanguard-class, is equipped with up to 16 Trident missiles and is designed to protect the UK. However, the Vanguard-class submarines are slowly being replaced and are expected to be obsolete by the 2030s.
Who is the cast of Vigil?
Vigil season 2 boasts an impressive cast, including:
- Suranne Jones as Amy Silva
- Rose Leslie as Kirsten Longacre
- Gary Lewis as Robertson
- Romola Garai as Eliza Russell
- Dougray Scott as Marcus Grainger
- Chris Jenks as Callum Barker
- Anders Hayward as Colin Dixon
- Shannon Hayes as Nicole Lawson
How can I watch Vigil?
Vigil season 1 is currently available for streaming on the BBC iPlayer. The second season is airing from Sunday to Tuesday nights until December 19, 2023. Fans can also catch up with episodes on the iPlayer.
