Interview

Deadly deals and a new partner: Rose Leslie and Amir El-Masry on the return of 'Vigil'

Rose Leslie is back alongside Suranne Jones tackling a new military mystery – and this time she has to deal with a cocky MI5 officer on the case, too.

Rose Leslie and Amir El-Masry in 'Vigil'. Credit: World Productions

What happens when you toss a new investigator into the well-established routines of a detective duo? Award-winning drama Vigil is often unpredictable, but on this front, at least, if you guessed that the new face creates some initial tension, you'd be right.

In the new season, DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) and DI Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie) are back, and once again a military mystery (and a pregnancy, both in the storyline and in real life for Leslie) sees the pair investigating far apart. While the first, gripping season saw Silva onboard a submarine and Longacre investigating back on land, this new storyline starts with deaths at an airbase in Scotland, then sends Silva off to the Middle East. Longacre, meanwhile, is forced to work with an investigator from MI5, Daniel Ramsay (Faithless star Amir El-Masry).

"There are questions about why he has suddenly been placed amongst us in Police Scotland, so there’s a little bit of antagonism between them because suddenly he’s on Kirsten’s turf. However, that slowly begins to fade and they start to have a respect for one another as they share the same values and desires within the case," Leslie says.

El-Masry, who you might also recognise from The Night Manager, Crazy About You and Limbo, for which he won a BAFTA Scotland award, relished playing the role.

"Ramsay is a confident, cocky MI5 intelligence officer. Brought in by MI5 essentially as a co-investigator but also to annoy the hell out of Kirsten and Amy. But perhaps that’s a by-product of him being so self-assured and confident in what he does. He still has to earn his stripes to be included in that dynamic; and especially by Kirsten who takes a disliking to his initial involvement. But Ramsay takes it in his stride and actually enjoys having to be on the constant charm offensive with her," says El-Masry, who describes the relationship between the pair as "like cat and mouse".

Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie) and Daniel Ramsay (Amir El-Masry) Credit: BBC / World Productions

"He seems unbothered by Kirsten’s initial disdain towards him purely because he secretly enjoys being on the case alongside her. Eventually the pair grudgingly build respect for each other and as the investigation moves forward, Ramsay also starts to think Kirsten might be right about some things and relinquishes the urge to be in control. When things start to heat up during the course of the series, and people’s safety is on the line, he really does start to actually care about her as more than a work colleague but as a friend.

"What I love about Ramsay is that he puts his own work relationship politics aside for the greater good of the task ahead, and in doing so gets the respect of everyone around him because he starts to go above and beyond his job description and pay grade."

Set two years on from the events of season one, the second season has brought changes for the relationship between Longacre and Silva, too.

Season 2 brings more tense times for detectives Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) and Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie). Credit: BBC

"This time we see them more established, settled and embedded with each other," says Leslie. "They are very much in love and committed to one another and have decided to raise a family together – not only to have Poppy [Amy’s daughter] in their fold, but to share a child together as well. They are fully fledged in being that unit," says Leslie, of the storyline that was adapted to reflect her own pregnancy.

"I told World Productions that I was pregnant even prior to my first trimester being over purely because I wanted to give them as much time as possible to adapt the storyline into the script that was already written. They were fantastic and continued to be incredibly supportive throughout – particularly shooting me in the first seven weeks of filming. Once I told them my very happy news via Zoom, they were great and their first response was to sit with it and see how they could incorporate it into the script. I’m therefore oblivious to what the original few episodes were, prior to me telling them I was pregnant. But they’ve really weaved it into the plotlines seamlessly as it almost echoes the first series whereby Amy departs to investigate and Kirsten stays put to work on the investigation on the ground."

The new locations mean a brace of new characters, including Dougray Scott as Air Marshall Marcus Grainger and Romola Garai as squadron leader Eliza Russell, but there is one other familiar face back for series two, Gary Lewis as police superintendant Colin Roberston.

"Working with Gary is a dream because from the very beginning he sets a lovely warm and welcoming atmosphere, and he has that innately within himself. I love working opposite him because he’s not just a fantastic actor, he really lightens the mood. He’s brilliant to have on set," says Leslie.

"With regards to his character Robertson and Kirsten, obviously the hierarchy is there but there’s a mutual respect and equality between the two. He’s above her within the rungs of the ladder but he will listen to her and she will take his advice. There’s a mutual understanding between the two of them and I think that shows in the writing and Gary just makes it so much fun."

El-Masry also loved filming the series.

"If I start naming every single person who made a positive impact on my experience we’d be here all day! There are a few honourable mentions - Rose and Suranne are a delight to work with. They shared the stage so generously. Besides just being a really lovely person, to be working alongside Rose as someone who was also several months pregnant and seeing how incredibly powerful she is, essentially doing two jobs at the same time, I was in awe!

Just like the first season, expect to see some high-octane drama and action scenes.

"From the start of the initial process - getting an email from casting director Dan Jackson about the project and working with him and one of the directors Andy De Emmony, during the audition process already felt like we were working in the rehearsal room together. The care and attention to detail I felt really made me feel empowered. Producer Marcus Wilson, and the whole production team, were all hands on deck. Having Joss Agnew come in for the second block seamlessly and know everything about our characters and their backstories was also incredibly helpful. And another honourable mention goes to all the runners! They were exceptional."

What does he think audiences will enjoy most about the series?

"The show just screams big blockbuster quality. ... Just like the first season, expect to see some high-octane drama and action scenes. I think the duality between myself and Kirsten will be very fun to watch also."

This article includes material supplied by World Productions.

Vigil seasons1 and 2 are streaming at SBS On Demand. Season 2 is also airing weekly on SBS on Thursday nights (see TV Guides for times).