Suranne Jones is out of the submarine, but still trapped as ‘Vigil’ returns

Season 2 may be above-ground, but the sense of danger on all sides remains. For lovers of crime, politics, female-led procedurals, and clever British dramas, 'Vigil' is a must-watch.

Suranne Jones in 'Vigil'. Credit: BBC

- The following contains spoilers for season 1. If you haven’t seen it yet, we suggest you go to SBS On Demand and discover the gripping drama that unfolds. -

If you suspect you're living with a murderer, being trapped deep under the sea in a submarine with that person must be the ultimate nightmare scenario. And indeed, for Police Scotland's Detective Amy Silva (Suranne Jones), being trapped on the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Vigil during an investigation into a supposed accidental overdose proved horrifying in the first season of Vigil.

Season one was undeniably thrilling, allowing Suranne Jones to do what she does best: portray a strong, independent, headstrong woman put in an impossible bind. In season 2, there's also a ticking clock from the get-go. The sense of urgency that arose in season one owing to the inescapable setting is still present in season two, even now that we’re off the submarine.

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

As a quick recap of the BAFTA-nominated series, Silva left her romantic partner – Detective Inspector Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie) – ashore to investigate a missing Scottish fishing boat and subsequent death on the submarine. She quickly found herself at odds with the Royal Navy and MI5, reliant on Longacre to unofficially raise the alarm back on land. The two women found themselves embroiled in a knot of government corruption, Russian interference and Silva's near-death escape.

But here we are, towelled down and somewhat recovered from the claustrophobic surroundings of a deadly submarine, and Silva is back for a second, thrilling season of Vigil. Jones is absolutely in her element as the embattled, super successful woman in a miasma of macho bro-hood. And if it's not bad enough for her male colleagues that she's intelligent, astute and independent, she's gay. And isn't this how lovers of crime drama want their protagonists? Battling all the powers that be to prove their wild theories are bang on?

Fortunately, Silva is given a meaty plot to work with and some very devious malcontents to manage. She's not done with the secretive brotherhood within the armed forces in season 2. Silva is, in fact, relishing the opportunity to crack the code of silence that is keeping her from the truth.

Her prime nemesis is Air Vice-Marshal Marcus Grainger (Dougray Scott), who has supervised four unmanned drones that, despite supposedly entertaining foreign dignitaries by blowing up an empty hut, end up firing live ammunition on the crowd. There is blood on the ground – nicknamed the Dundair Killings - and a murder case to solve, but Grainger has his eyes on a tentative multi-billion-pound partnership between the UK and a foreign government. A murder case is supremely inconvenient, not least because Grainger is also engaged by the company that makes the drones in question.

Dougray Scott joins the series as Air Vice-Marshal Marcus Grainger. Credit: Jamie Simpson

Over six nail-biting episodes, there are false flags, government double-dealing, misplaced allegiances, abductions and even more near-death escapes. There’s also a scathing depiction of governments, military wheelings and dealings and a culture of secrecy and elitism. Imagine – government leaders and military authorities holding expensive stocks in weaponry of war. It’s in their interests to start and prolong a war that benefits everyone’s personal bank account, even if the cost is civilians or colleagues.

The political and criminal intrigues are compelling, of course, but the personal foibles and facets of Silva and Longacre are equally valued by the makers of the show. While all this destruction and devilish conspiring are underway, the women are attempting to expand their family and to hold onto their romantic partnership despite the endless demands of their jobs. In that sense, Vigil is more than a standard police procedural or a political mystery drama. It’s a personal, women-centred narrative that genuinely invests in characters we want to check in with episode after episode. In a world of real-life headlines that mirror exactly what’s happening in Vigil, the idea that there’s an actual Silva out there battling for the integrity of our national leadership is a breath of fresh air. (And Vigil season two offers a much-needed one after all that time on a submarine).

Vigil season 2 premieres Thursday 20 November on SBS and SBS On Demand, with all episodes streaming at SBS On Demand from 20 November. Episodes also air weekly on SBS starting Thursday 20 November at 11pm. Vigil season 1 is streaming now on SBS On Demand.