Vigil

Vigil is a thrilling noir-style drama series from the creators of 'Line of Duty' and 'Bodyguard', produced by World Productions for BBC One. Launched in 2021, the luminous ensemble cast includes Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Shaun Evans, Martin Compston, Paterson Joseph, Adam James, Gary Lewis, Lauren Lyle, Lolita Chakrabarti, Stephen Dillane, and Anjli Mohindra.

Set against the menacing backdrop of the North Atlantic Ocean, Vigil is an exploration of the shadowy world of Britain's nuclear deterrent, unfolding aboard the Royal Navy Trident nuclear submarine, HMS Vigil. The weighty responsibility, the tight confines, and the public importance of this vessel provide the atmospheric pressure pot for this riveting drama, creating a world that's as mysterious as it is compelling.

Suranne Jones stars as DCI Amy Silva, a hardened and brilliant detective. Amy finds herself thrust into the heart of this agitated world when she’s summoned onboard Vigil to investigate a suspicious death. She navigates crime-solving under extraordinary circumstances, hundreds of meters underwater and cut-off from the outside world.

Jones' on-screen relationship with Rose Leslie's character, DS Kirsten Longacre, presents a complex dynamic. Longacre remains on dry land to investigate the crime's connections to the mainland, battling political stone-walling and the danger of an international conspiracy. The mirrored investigations and the interplay between their characters, with professional coolness meeting personal vulnerability, add another layer to this riveting plot.

Rounding out the stellar cast are Shaun Evans as Chief Petty Officer Elliot Glover, Martin Compston as crew member Robert Ehle, along with Paterson Joseph, Adam James, and Gary Lewis in pivotal roles. Meanwhile, Lauren Lyle, Lolita Chakrabarti, Stephen Dillane, and Anjli Mohindra deliver captivating performances in supporting roles, each having their part to play in the episodes' sequence of mysteries and revelations.

PECuliarly, Vigil illustrates a world where the threat of conflict doesn't rest in distant lands but beneath the water's surface, close to home. The premise, while rooted in an investigation of a mysterious death, expands to parse larger themes of secrecy, power, and the political implications tied to the operation of the nuclear deterrent system. The painstaking authenticity with which this controversial subject is handled blends perfectly with the narrative arc of the series.

From thrilling chase sequences and tense confrontations underwater to thought-provoking reveals and riveting dramatic moments on land, Vigil offers a potent mix of suspense, action, and drama, keeping viewers on tenterhooks throughout. The production's detailed set and atmospheric cinematography mirror the claustrophobic confines and austere beauty of the submarine, thereby creating a sense of brooding tension.

Equally, the writing is sharp, layered with intrigue and unexpected turns, never wavering from its commitment to maintaining a gripping narrative. The dialogue is crisp, characterized by high-stakes exchanges that further expose the tension lines running through Vigil and its volatile crew.

The performances across the board are strong, with Jones and Leslie bringing heft and resilience to their characters. The supporting players also shine, each imbued with complexities that keeps their motivations effectively ambiguous, thereby adding to the overall suspense of the unfolding narrative.

Vigil embraces the traditions of the best BBC dramas. It luxuriates in the intricate details of its plot while providing a cast of emotionally rich characters and uses its unique setting to maximum effect, resulting in a suspenseful and compelling story. It cleverly mixes the personal and the political, ensuring that viewers are as invested in the personal stories, relationships, and tensions as they are in the larger geopolitical and existential issues the series grapples with.

In sum, Vigil is a tantalizing, deeply engaging British thriller drama whose combination of a masterfully crafted plot, stellar performances, and thought-provoking themes make it an unmissable addition to BBC One's slate of standout dramas.