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Where have you seen the Vigil cast before? From Sex Education to Game of Thrones

Rose Leslie in Vigil (Credits: BBC/World Productions)

Last night saw BBC’s latest Sunday night drama Vigil come to screen after, with many well-known faces appearing in roles in the action-packed hour of television.

The six-part drama finally kicked off after months of teasing from the broadcaster.

Suranne Jones as DCI Amy Silva, who is sent on an undercover mission to HMS Vigil to try and get to the bottom of a mysterious death of one of its crew.

However, it soon emerges there’s far more than meets the eye to the fatality, which viewers will discover as the series unfolds.

But from Sex Education to Peep Show and Game of Thrones, where have you seen the Vigil cast before?

Warning: This article contains some spoilers for episode one of Vigil.

Suranne Jones

Suranne Jones as DCI Amy Silva in Vigil (Picture: BBC/Getty)

Suranne Jones, who plays DCI Amy Silva in the new BBC drama, first became a well-known name when she starred in Coronation Street where, playing Karen McDonald for four years.

Since then, she’s been heralded by many as one of the Queens of British drama, having appeared in a multitude of fantastic shows.

In recent years, she’s starred as the leading lady Gemma Foster, in hit series Doctor Foster as well as Anne Lister in Gentleman Jack, with the latter having filmed its second season last year.  

She’s also had roles in Save Me, Vanity Fair and as Sergeant Rachel Bailey in ITV police drama, Scott and Bailey.

Connor Swindells

Fans will recognise Connor from his role as Adam Groff in Sex Education (Picture: Sam Taylor/Netflix)

Many fans of comedy Sex Education will have instantly recognised Connor when he popped up in Vigil last night as Lieutenant Simon Hadlow.

He’s best known for his role as Adam Groff in the Netflix show, which he will be reprising next month when season three begins.

Connor’s alter-ego Adam is the bully of the school-based series, who has a difficult relationship with his father as well as coming to terms with his sexuality.

The 24-year-old has also featured in period comedy-drama film Emma, alongside Anya Taylor-Joy.

Paterson Joseph

Paterson appeared in Noughts + Crosses earlier this year on BBC One (Picture Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Paterson’s latest role as stern Captain Neil Newsome in Vigil is a far cry away from his most recognisable acting stint as Alan Johnson in Peep Show.

The actor stayed in the recurring role opposite Robert Webb and David Mitchell in the Channel 4 series between 2003 and 2015.

He also played the part of Prime Minister Kamal Hadley in the series of Noughts + Crosses in 2020 and appeared in an episode of the most recent series of Inside No. 9 earlier this year.

Martin Compston

Martin Compston’s character didn’t last long in Vigil… (Picture: BBC/World Productions)

BBC viewers saw Martin Compston’s character meet an unexpected grisly end in last night’s instalment after he appeared to get on the wrong side of some of his naval colleagues.

Those watching were shocked to see him meet his maker less than 10 minutes into the drama.

But it’s not the first time Compston’s been right in the centre of action, having made a name for himself as DS Steve Arnott in Line of Duty – which aired its sixth season earlier this summer.

He also had a major role in BBC’s acclaimed drama, The Nest, opposite Peaky Blinders actress Sophie Rundle.

The pair played a wealthy married couple who were desperate to have a baby and prepared to go to very unconventional lengths to do so.

Rose Leslie

Rosie Leslie plays Kirsten Longacre in the drama (Picture: BBC)

Rose Leslie is first came to the attention of UK audiences when she played Ygritte in Game of Thrones and famously told Jon Snow (Kit Harington): ‘You know nothing Jon Snow.’

In Vigil, Rose stars as Kirsten Longacre, who is working together with DCI Silva on the investigation into Burke’s death and was seen making risky moves at the end of the first tense episode.

The Scottish actress has also starred in Luther as DS Emma Lane and as Gwen Dawson in much-loved period drama Downton Abbey.

She married her former Game of Thrones co-star Kit in 2018 and the pair had a son together earlier this year.

Anjli Mohindra

Mohindra starred as ACC Lydia Price in Wild Bill back in 2014 (Credits: ITV/Rex/Shutterstock)

Anjli is currently starring as Surgeon Lieutenant Tiffany ‘Doc Doc’ Docherty in Vigil, where she quickly seemed to have built up trust with DCI Silva in episode one.  

But Aljli will be recognisable to some viewers for her role as Rani Chandra in Doctor Who spin-off series, The Sarah Jane Adventures, between 2008 and 2011.

She popped up in Doctor Who again last year in a very different role, playing Queen Skithra in episode ‘Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror.’

The actress is no stranger to drama having had a role in Jed Mercurio’s crime thriller, Bodyguard, where she starred as Nadia Ali.

Shaun Evans

Shaun Evans in Endeavour (Picture: ITV/Rex/Shutterstock)

Shaun Evans stars as Chief Petty Officer Elliot Grover, with the character describing himself as a ‘walking HR department’ in last night’s opener – planting the seeds he will be key to the rest of the series.

He is best known for his time portraying the titular role of Sergeant Endeavour Morse, in the long-running ITV drama, Endeavour, which is the prequel to Inspector Morse.

The show will return for an eighth season later this year, taking place in 1971.

Shaun’s also featured in roles on programmes such as Whitechapel, Ashes to Ashes and Silk in recent years.  

Adam James

Adam James at a premiere for Belgravia (Picture: Anthony Harvey/Rex/Shutterstock)

Eagle-eyed fans who love a BBC drama or two may have noticed it’s not the first time Suranne and Shaun have met on-screen.

Shaun also had a role in Doctor Foster playing cheating husband Neil Baker – who was interested in Suranne’s character Gemma – opposite Victoria Hamilton, who starred as his wife Anna.

He reprised this role in spin-off drama Life, which aired earlier this year, which sees him reunite with his alcoholic ex-wife, who now goes by the name of Belle.

Adam appeared in four episodes of Michaela Coel’s drama series I May Destroy You as Julian last year and in Belgravia.

Vigil continues tonight at 9pm on BBC One.

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