Alastair Michael On BBC’s Silent Witness Series Twenty-six

Going On A Journey

The BBC’s Silent Witness returns for a twenty-sixth series and here’s one of its new cast members Alastair Michael, who plays Velvy, talking about the new run…

BBC’s “Silent Witness” has captivated audiences for years with its gripping forensic crime-solving narratives. As viewers follow the dedicated team of pathologists unravel complex mysteries, the show has become a staple of crime drama. Just as the characters meticulously piece together clues, fans of the show might also find themselves engrossed in other enigmatic pursuits, such as playing slots games, as they await the next suspenseful episode.

What was your mother’s reaction when she heard you had landed the part of Velvy in Silent Witness?

Between the ages of nine and 14, I used to watch it with my mum all the time. She is still an avid fan. So when I told her over the phone that I was going to be in Silent Witness, she went all high-pitched and Scottish as she’s likely to do when she gets excited. She was over the moon! It makes me very proud that I’m doing something that she loves so much.

Has the response of other people been positive, too?

Absolutely. The show is so well loved. That’s one of the things that has really come across. When friends have found out that I’m doing Silent Witness, I’ve realised just how many people love the show. As soon as I’ve mentioned it, they’ve said, “I’ve loved that show for years. I’m so excited that you’re in it.” It’s been really nice having that excitement reflected back at me.

What are your memories of your first day on set?

I was in the middle of touring a one-person show. On my first day on Silent Witness, I travelled to London from Hereford overnight to film for half a day. Then in the afternoon, I had to travel to Bristol for three performances of the show. So what I remember above all else is being very tired! Also the theatre show that I was doing was very physical, and I had picked a bit of an injury in Hereford. So on my first day on set, I was nursing a neck injury. But I was still so excited and nervous. I remember almost immediately forgetting where I’d put my water bottle on set because I was so overwhelmed by everything. But it was great. Everyone was so lovely and welcoming. That was the first time it felt really real.

What sort of journey does Velvy go on over the series?

He goes on quite a few different journeys. Within the professional context, he goes from being the newbie who’s quite green to being someone who feels like he’s part of the team. He feels like he’s found a place within that group, that family, that community. That ties into the other journey that he’s on. He has just left his Orthodox Jewish community, and so he’s on a personal journey towards finding a place for himself in a new secular world and figuring out who he is and who his new friends are. He is also trying to figure out how he can still be connected to where he’s come from. I think his journey is a lot about trying to balance those exciting new elements with the things that make him who he is.

What was the most challenging part of the role?

I had to speak Yiddish, which wasn’t easy. But there is a Jewish advisor on the show who is brilliant. His own experience is very similar to Velvy. He was very useful for a great many things and one of those was translating scenes into Yiddish for us.

What will you take away from playing Velvy?

I am Jewish, but I grew up not being strongly connected to a Jewish community. Playing Velvy has given me a real opportunity to reconnect more deeply with my own sense of Jewishness. That’s something I’ll always remember.

How did you find it filming with Emilia and David?

They’re brilliant to watch and learn from because they have done it for so long and they’re so good at what they do. Joining a team that is already so familiar with each other can seem a little daunting, but they were so welcoming and open and supportive to work with and really fun to act with.

Because Emilia is an executive producer, she was great at carving out time and making sure that we actors had time to explore the material and talk and rehearse and feel comfortable and know what we were doing before we shot a scene. I haven’t done much television before so having a champion like that for the actors is remarkable.