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Vigil season 3 release schedule: When is episode 5 out?

The thriller has a slightly different release schedule to most BBC shows.

Suranne Jones as Amy Silva and Rose Leslie as DI Kirsten Longacre in Vigil, stood opposite each other talking, in front of a flight of stairs.

BBC / World Productions / Mark Mainz

Published: Saturday, 12 September 2026 at 11:00 am

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It's almost time for the final two episodes of Vigil season 3 to be released, rounding off the stories of Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie's Amy and Kirsten.

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This season has seen us reunite with the pair, who have ventured to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard to investigate a murder.

With just two episodes left, there are still plenty of mysteries left to solve and plot threads to be concluded – but when will the final chapters be released on iPlayer and when will they air on BBC One?

Read on for everything you need to know about the release schedule for Vigil season 3.

When is episode 5 of Vigil released?

Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie in Vigil, walking across a snowy landscape wearing coats, beanie hats and holding guns.

Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie in Vigil. BBC / World Productions / Mark Mainz

Episode 5 of Vigil season 3 will be released on BBC iPlayer at 6am on Sunday 13 September 2026 along with the final episode.

On BBC One, episode 5 will air at 9pm on Sunday 13 September, with episode 6 following at 9pm on Monday 14 September.

Full release schedule

Vigil season 3 releases two episodes a week on BBC iPlayer from Sunday 30 August, with BBC One splitting each pair across Sunday and Monday nights at 9pm.

Given this, the show's full release schedule on BBC iPlayer is as follows:

Meanwhile, the release schedule for the show's transmission on BBC One is as follows:

How many episodes are there in Vigil season 3?

Vigil season 3 is made up of six episodes in total, with these being rolled out in batches of two per week over three weeks. This means the finale will arrive on Sunday 13 September on BBC iPlayer, or Monday 14 September on BBC One.

Where can I watch Vigil?

Rose Leslie as Kirsten Longacre in Vigil, wearing a coat and scarf, stood in a snowy, mountainous landscape and with a shotgun strapped to her back.

Rose Leslie as Kirsten Longacre in Vigil. BBC / World Productions / Mark Mainz

Vigil season 3 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, where two episodes are released each week from Sunday 30 August.

If you prefer to watch the episodes as they are on linear TV, they will air on BBC One across Sunday and Monday nights at 9pm, starting from the same date. Seasons 1 and 2 of Vigil are also available to stream in full on BBC iPlayer now.

Is there a trailer for Vigil season 3?

There is! You can watch the trailer for Vigil season 3, which was first released on 17 August 2026, right here now.

Vigil season 3 continues weekly, with new episodes arriving on BBC iPlayer on Sundays and airing on BBC One on Sundays and Mondays.

Add Vigil to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

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Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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