Vigil | Interview with James Strong, lead director

How did you first become involved with Vigil?

As a director I’m especially drawn to things I’ve never done or seen on screen before, and reading the opening scenes from Vigil I quickly realized this was both! A bold, strikingly original premise and full of huge directorial challenges from the off. So when I was approached by World Productions and the BBC to be lead director on the show in summer 2019, I jumped at the chance. I love stories set within real contexts and with the nuclear deterrent being still very much a ‘live’ issue (especially in Scotland) – it seemed a perfect fit.

What were the main things you set out to achieve with the series?

With Vigil I wanted to create something different. To create a world you’ve never see on screen before and are fascinated to explore. I also wanted to deliver scale and spectacle along with authenticity and veracity. So it’s not just a gripping story, but always set in a credible world.

What were the biggest challenges of making Vigil, for you?

Ha! Take your pick! The biggest challenge for any director setting up a show is to ‘build the world’. To set the visual approach and work with the team to execute this. And with Vigil there was a lot to build! First of all a there was a Trident submarine – the setting for the majority of the show. I like to shoot on real locations – but for obvious reasons this was largely impossible, so we had to create a big enough space to contain the action and be big enough to work in and yet retain all the claustrophobia of a real submarine. Creating HMS Vigil was an enormous endeavour, brilliantly carried out by designer Tom Sayer and his team. It looked incredible, was a great place to shoot and yet always felt utterly real.

But the creative challenges were somewhat overshadowed by larger global challenges beyond our control… namely a global pandemic! Shooting was suspended for six months last year – and it’s a testament to our incredible cast and crew that they returned after months away and seamlessly completed the shoot. We were one of the very first productions to come back up after the lockdown and I was humbled by the dedication and professionalism of everyone to work to the best of their ability and keep everyone safe around them.

Without giving too much away, is there a particular moment or element of Vigil that you’re especially proud of?

I’ve been fortunate to direct some big sequences in my career, including the assassination of JFK and the battle of Waterloo, but I can honestly say the opening 20 minutes of this series were the most audacious, complex but exciting I’ve ever had to shoot. We had to film the sinking of a boat in the middle of the North Sea and then helicopter our hero onto a moving submarine 200 miles off the Scottish coast. It took months and months of planning, breaking it down shot by shot and deciding how to do each frame, utilizing all the different cinematic tools, kit and techniques available. It was a monumental effort from all the departments involved and I’m truly thrilled with the end results.

What do you think sets Vigil apart from other TV dramas?

Vigil is different in a number of ways: it’s about a real thing, its premise is fascinating and one most people don’t really know anything about. Britain’s nuclear deterrent has been operational for over 50 years and yet is shrouded in secrecy, and so it is a mystery to the viewer – therefore it’s the perfect place to set a drama. It’s also a truly genuinely gripping mystery, populated by great characters, so in every way it’s simply unlike anything else on our screens right now.

Alastair James is the editor-in-chief of Memorable TV, leading the charge in covering today's must-see television. A lifelong television enthusiast, his passion began with a deep dive into the world of classic sci-fi, culminating in his role as editor of "Beyond the Static," a publication devoted to celebrating iconic sci-fi series. While his love for classic television remains, Alastair's focus at Memorable TV is firmly on the present, analyzing the latest trends in the television landscape, from gripping crime dramas to the ever-evolving strategies of Survivor. His insights have been featured in numerous publications. At Memorable TV, Alastair's goal is to provide readers with sharp commentary, engaging reviews, and in-depth analysis of the shows dominating the current conversation.