The programme follows the work of a special police team who investigate "cold cases", usually murders that took place a number of years ago and were never solved. The team uses evidence which has just come to light, as well as modern technology to examine previous evidence. Trevor Eve portrays the workaholic and often eccentric Peter Boyd around whom plotlines are often centered. As the series has progressed, storylines have focused on the personal lives of the characters as well as the criminal investigations (for example, Boyd's temper control in "Anger Management").

Official websites

• Waking the Dead at bbc.co.uk
• Waking the Dead episode guide at bbc.co.uk

International broadcasters

• Waking the Dead at Channel Nine
• Waking the Dead at BBC America
• Waking the Dead at Jimmy