Eric is a prison officer who tries to protect those in his charge. When one of the most dangerous inmates identifies his weakness, Eric faces an impossible choice between his principles and his love for his family.
Stars: Sean Bean, Stephen Graham and James NelsonJoyce
Full Cast: Hannah Walters, Dean Fagan, Jack McMullen, Paddy Rowan, Brian McCardie, Siobhan Finneran, Cal MacAninch, Nadine Marshall, Kevin Harvey, David Calder, Sue Johnston, Franc Ashman
Episode Guide
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User Reviews
Watchseries; What an amazing first episode. I get despondent with some television dramas I watch nowadays. They try to be glamorous overly clever, gimmicky or are designed as a showcase for the actors. This was hard hitting totally believable compelling and acted directed and edited to perfection. I cannot see this straying into melodrama and if the remaining 2 episodes are as good as this opener then it will be up there with Jimmy McGovern's best such as Cracker, Hillsborough, The Lakes and The Street. This is the first review I've written and the reason is because I just read a review that gave it 1 / 10 calling the writing weak. It's not.
What an amazing first episode. I get despondent with some television dramas I watch nowadays. They try to be glamorous overly clever, gimmicky or are designed as a showcase for the actors. This was hard hitting totally believable compelling and acted directed and edited to perfection. I cannot see this straying into melodrama and if the remaining 2 episodes are as good as this opener then it will be up there with Jimmy McGovern's best such as Cracker, Hillsborough, The Lakes and The Street. This is the first review I've written and the reason is because I just read a review that gave it 1 / 10 calling the writing weak. It's not.
Time watchseries. This is a quite wonderful three part series from the BBC, and the pen and experience of Jimmy McGovern.
I can't lie, I've not been expecting The BBC to deliver something of this quality, it seems some time, however, credit where it's due, this is a tremendous watch.
The story has a harsh, but truthful reality, I found myself googling certain things, such as if prisoners actually have kettles in their cells, and the effects of sugar in boiling water, so many things were proven to be accurate.
A few people I'd spoken to said that they were put off by the violence of the first episode, and it is a bit grim, however if you dislike such events, once you get past episode one, there are fewer such things.
The acting was sensational, Sean Bean and Stephen Graham are both due awards for this, Aneurin Barnard steals the first episode.
A terrific series, all involved did an amazing job, 10/10.
Amazing.
Actors were superb, especially Sean Bean.
Well written with good pacing.
Directed with excellence.
Sound was great, for once, (by the bbc).
Made a night of crap tv into omg this was an amazing TV night of viewing.
BBC doing what it does best, gritty no BS dramas.
My wife suggested this last night.....I binged it in one hit and will happily say it's one of the best dramas I have ever seen
Perfect on every level and should be shown to every teenager who thinks prison would be a breeze.....I would last 1 day inside.
The start of this 3 part series is particularly gruelling and you may be tempted to stop watching, but if you keep going you will be reward by a brilliant piece of drama and fine acting.
I don't normally like to binge watch when something is this good, it's over too soon, but this is a Jimmy McGovern drama and i couldn't wait. One day he might write something less than perfect, but i won't hold my breath. What makes this so tense is that it's not an over the top American style prison drama that's entertaining, yet implausible. In the right hands, drama works best when told honestly and realistically and this hits every beat spot on. Great acting from a top cast, and probably Sean Beans best performance so far.