David Caves Talks About The Next Series Of Silent Witness

You Don’t Know Jack

The BBC’s Silent Witness returns for a new series in February and here’s one of its stars, David Caves, talking about the next run…

Tell us what we can expect from your character this series

Jack and Nikki are settling into a new home in Birmingham and getting used to The Bowman Centre, trying to find a bit of balance. Jack is still the same stubborn, sarcastic fella, just with a bit more self-awareness. He’s older and more mature. He’s more affected by the trials and tribulations of his work and we see that play out majorly in this series. Jack is really tested in one story, a very personal odyssey he must go on alone.

This series the team move to Birmingham. Tell us how that comes about in the storyline.

The set-up happened at the end of the previous series. It’s woven into the story nicely – the team is adapting to new surroundings, new faces, and a slightly different pace of life. It’s a proper reset, but of course, being Silent Witness we don’t exactly get a quiet start.

What was it like filming in Birmingham?

The people were brilliant, really welcoming and genuinely excited that we were there filming in their city. Birmingham has this mix of grit and heart that suits the show down to the ground. Plus, the food was great. I might’ve finished filming a few pounds heavier.

What makes you want to return to this role?

The thing I love about Jack is that he’s tough but can be vulnerable. He can fight but knows how to control it. He’s a truth-seeker, a righteous crusader, a bit of a warrior-monk, really. There’s always something new to find with him. And honestly, the cast and crew feel like family now, the kind you don’t mind seeing again every year.

Silent Witness still attracts millions of viewers each week, why do you think people love it so much?

It’s got everything, gripping stories, interesting science, and characters people have grown up with. It’s comforting in a strange way, even though it’s about death. Death is a mystery, “the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns” to quote Hamlet. But life is mysterious too and we always try to balance the negative with the positive. I think people enjoy the odd bit of gallows humour anyway.

The show is very science based. What is the most interesting thing you have learnt in this role?

I think if you’re careful and humble, acting can help you on your way to becoming an authentic human being. It can, of course, do the opposite! But I think it’s taught me to be a bit braver in life, on stage or on screen. To take risks, to enjoy it and not take it too seriously. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to do it at all.

There’s so little time for on-set learning of facts about forensic science and pathology, so I’d be useless in a pub quiz! Listening to our on-set experts is always very interesting. They are the really fascinating people with stories galore.

Tell us what it is like filming with Emilia, Maggie and Fran.

It’s brilliant. We’ve got such a good mix. I love them all dearly. There’s a lot of trust between us, which means we can have a laugh but also go to those heavy emotional places when the story needs it. It’s honestly a lovely set to come back to.

Without spoilers, what was your favourite scene to film this series?

Too many to choose from but there’s a story later in the series that’s just really raw – not flashy, just honest. Those are the ones that stick with me. But I won’t lie, I also love any excuse to run about outside the lab.

Do you see any of yourself in your character?

Yes, there’s a fair bit of overlap. I’ve got the sarcasm down, and probably the same habit of hiding behind humour when things get tough. The science, though, not a chance.

Do people ever mistake you for your character on the street? Are there any funny stories from talking with the public?

On the tube once I sat next to a woman watching Silent Witness on her phone. Jack popped up on her screen, and I said “good show, that” as I got off the train. She looked rather confused.

Another fan on a different train leaned in and asked me if I was Jack. He said he loved the character because he walked the line between good and bad. Like we all do. He cited John Wick as another example. I was really flattered by that. I have an affinity for characters like that, myself. I’m drawn to them. Not good, not bad, somewhere in the middle. Not really heroes, undoubtedly courageous but shadowy, flawed men trying their best to be good in a topsy-turvy world. People are lovely genuinely passionate about the show. It’s a nice reminder of how beloved the show is and how lucky we all are to be a part of it.