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Silent Witness announces Amanda Burton return for 25th anniversary

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Silent Witness has announced that Amanda Burton is set to reprise her role as Sam Ryan in honour of the long-running crime drama's upcoming 25th anniversary.

The BBC revealed the news on Tuesday (October 5), following the series 24 finale. Given that the show premiered for the first time way back in February 1996, it seems only appropriate that the next instalment is expected to kick off in early 2022.

Burton will be appearing in six episodes alongside fellow cast members Emilia Fox (Nikki Alexander), David Caves (Jack Hodgson) and Genesis Lynea (Simone Tyler).

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Related: Silent Witness airs shocking exit for main cast member

"I am so excited to be returning to Silent Witness and stepping back into Sam Ryan's shoes – with a difference! Audiences can look forward to plenty of twists and turns as they discover what Sam's been doing since leaving the Lyell," Burton said in a statement.

Viewers last saw forensic pathologist Sam leave her London-based job and move back to Northern Ireland, after learning that one of her family members had been implicated in a murder. Her departure marked the end of Burton's eight-year stint on the show, which spanned from its inception to 2004.

"It is such a delight and thrill to be working with Amanda," added Fox, who essentially replaced Burton as lead in series nine. "To have Sam Ryan back again at the heart of the show is the greatest way of all to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Silent Witness.

Photo credit: David Emery - BBC
Photo credit: David Emery - BBC

BBC Studios Production Executive Producer Lawrence Till said: "I am delighted that Amanda agreed to return to Silent Witness for its silver anniversary. Silent Witness has a large and loyal audience and remains as popular as it has ever been with audiences regularly consolidating at over six million viewers.

"It is fantastic to have Sam Ryan at the centre of the series again alongside our other Lyell characters for a monumental story told in six parts."

Since leaving Silent Witness, Burton has gone on to have roles in the likes of Waterloo Road, Marcella and White House Farm.

Silent Witness airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

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