David Caves: Silent Witness Actor, Wife, Children & More

Two distinct images arise when the name David Caves is mentioned: the forensic scientist Jack Hodgson on BBC’s Silent Witness, and a boxer. Yet the real man is an actor from Northern Ireland with a quiet family life, a degree in modern languages, and no professional boxing record.

Known for: Playing Jack Hodgson in Silent Witness since 2013 ·
Birth date: 7 August 1978 ·
Birthplace: Northern Ireland ·
Profession: Actor ·
Marital status: Married to Verity Caves (associate finance manager)

Nine verified facts about David Caves, from his birth to his family status:

Who is David Caves married to?

David Caves married Verity Cunningham in 2019. She works as an associate finance manager, a career far removed from the entertainment industry. The couple have kept their relationship extremely private—no joint social media accounts, no red-carpet appearances. The Mirror (UK daily newspaper) reported the wedding date as four years before its January 2024 article, which aligns with the 2019 date given by Entertainment Daily. Earlier, Caves was linked to actress Lisa Dillon, whom he met during a theatre production (Entertainment Daily).

The implication: public knowledge about his marriage stops at the wedding year, and no further details are available.

Has David Caves got children?

Yes—according to multiple sources, David Caves has two children. In January 2023, he appeared on The One Show and revealed that his wife was expecting their second child within “the next couple of weeks” (Entertainment Daily). Neither the children’s names nor their ages have been made public. The actor has given no interviews that discuss his family in detail.

What this means: the actor maintains a firm boundary between his on-screen persona and his home life, leaving specific family facts out of public records.

Is David Caves a boxer?

No. The misconception appears to stem from his physical fitness and his role in Silent Witness, where his character often uses martial arts. Some online articles have speculated, but Caves has no professional boxing record. His IMDb biography lists no boxing career, and no fight record exists under his name. He did train at LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) for acting, not for combat sports (Mirror).

“I’m often asked if I was a boxer. The answer is no—I just play one in telly land.”

— David Caves, in an interview with Hello! magazine (2026), quoted by Entertainment Daily

Do Emilia Fox and David Caves get along?

Emilia Fox and David Caves co-star as forensic colleagues on Silent Witness. In behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, they appear relaxed and professional. Fox has spoken positively about the cast, describing a “family atmosphere” on set (Mirror). No public disputes or tensions have been reported. Their on-screen chemistry is often noted, but there is no evidence of any personal relationship beyond friendship.

“David is such a generous actor. We have a laugh between takes, but when the camera rolls, he’s completely in the zone.”

— Emilia Fox, in a promotional interview for Silent Witness (Entertainment Daily)

What is David Caves’ background and career?

David Caves was born on 7 August 1978 in Belfast, Northern Ireland (IMDb). He attended Campbell College in Belfast, where both his parents were teachers (Mirror). He then studied French and German at the University of St Andrews, graduating in 2002. After teaching English in France for a year, he trained at LAMDA (Mirror). His first professional stage role was Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights (2005) (IMDb). TV credits include The Fall, Jackie (as Clint Hill), Ironclad: Battle for Blood, and Widow’s Walk (IMDb). Since 2013, he has been a series regular on Silent Witness.

Clarity: what we know and what remains uncertain

The catch: the actor’s deliberate privacy leaves several basic biographical details unconfirmed, even in an era of abundant celebrity information.

Fans interested in the upcoming episodes can find details about Silent Witness season 28 on our partner site.

Frequently asked questions

For the curious reader, the picture of David Caves is clearer than many celebrity profiles—but deliberately incomplete. He has built a successful career on BBC’s flagship forensic drama while keeping his family life firmly out of the spotlight. For fans who want to separate fact from fiction, the key distinction is simple: the on-screen fighter is a trained actor, not a boxer, and the private family man has made privacy his priority.

Also read: Adrian Dunbar: Actor, Singer, and Star of Ridley and Simon Pegg: Sobriety, Family, Career & Net Worth 2025 — two other Northern Irish and UK actors worth knowing.