BBC Silent Witness viewers issue same complaint over huge change 'big mistake'
Fans of Silent Witness have claimed the show has been "ruined" by a change in location.
The BBC crime drama, which centres around a team of forensic pathology experts solving gruesome crimes, has returned for its 29th series. However, there's been a significant shift, as Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox), Jack Hodgson (David Caves) and the rest of the team have relocated from London to Birmingham.
The move hasn't sat well with some long-time viewers who have expressed a preference for the original setting, reports the Mirror.
Several have taken to X, previously known as Twitter, to air their grievances. One disgruntled viewer remarked: "Moving this show to Birmingham was a BIG mistake. Just like when they moved Waterloo Road to Scotland..."
A subsequent post from the same account read: "This show needs London. Film it in Birmingham if you have to, but at least pretend it's in London because this is AWFUL and it's completely lost its way."
"BRING BACK THE LYELL CENTRE," they demanded, referring to the team's former base.
Another fan shared a series of crying emojis, lamenting: "Loving this so far but, but the Lyell."
One viewer suggested the show was "past its sell by date", questioning: "Why was it moved to Birmingham from London? Totally ruined the show."
"Now Silent Witness has moved to Birmingham, it seems to have got confused with Peaky Blinders," another fan quipped.
One viewer took to Reddit to share their thoughts, saying: "What's everyone's opinions on the new set? We've only had two episodes so it might grow on me but rn I can't say I'm a big fan of it - it's so dark and moody in all of the rooms and the Lyell was so much brighter.
"And all of the glass cases in the mortuary reminds me of a museum. I think it would be a lot nicer if they just made it a bit brighter."
Another chimed in, describing it as "unrealistically, boringly dark".
However, not all viewers were critical of the changes, with some embracing the new HQ.
"Love the Bowman Centre and the shots of Birmingham are superb!" one fan enthused.
"The show has hit the ground running in their new town."
Echoing this sentiment, another agreed: "Yay new Silent Witness, I think moving to Birmingham was good, brings some freshness to the show."
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Silent Witness airs on BBC One