A British police procedural drama created by World Productions for the BBC.
Released in early 2026, this novel marks Saunders' return to the "Bardo"—a liminal afterlife state he previously explored in his Booker Prize-winning Lincoln in the Bardo .
Reviewers have praised its "explosive imagination" and "moral focus," with some comparing it to A Christmas Carol . It became a major bestseller shortly after its release. 2. Vigil (TV Series, 2021–Present) A British police procedural drama created by World
The story follows Jill , a spectral figure whose duty is to usher souls into the afterlife. Her latest charge is K.J. Boone , a defiant oil tycoon and climate change denier. Unlike her previous 343 charges, Boone refuses consolation, believing his life of "progress" justifies his environmental impact.
Depending on your interest, "Vigil" may refer to a critically acclaimed novel by George Saunders, a popular British television thriller, or a non-fiction book about political upheaval in Hong Kong. It became a major bestseller shortly after its release
Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva ( Suranne Jones ) is sent to the nuclear submarine HMS Vigil to investigate a suspicious death, uncovering a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of the British government and Navy.
The novel examines corporate greed, the human toll of capitalism, and the complex nature of absolution and ethical responsibility. Her latest charge is K
The setting shifts to a military base, where Silva investigates a deadly drone attack, exploring modern warfare and political "truth bombs".