The BBC is set to premiere a compelling new prison drama this weekend, offering viewers a profound look at life behind bars through the lens of philosophy. Waiting For The Out is a six-part series that promises to challenge preconceptions and explore themes of identity and redemption.
When and Where to Watch the New BBC Series
The highly anticipated series makes its debut on Saturday, January 3. In a move catering to modern viewing habits, all six episodes will be available to binge on BBC iPlayer from 6am on that date. For those preferring a traditional broadcast, the opening episode will air on BBC One at 9.30pm the same evening.
A Story of Philosophy and Personal Discovery
At the heart of Waiting For The Out is Dan, a character brought to life by Josh Finan. Dan volunteers to teach philosophy to a group of male inmates, facilitating conversations on weighty concepts like luck, freedom, and dominance. These discussions take on a powerful new meaning when filtered through the prisoners' own experiences.
The drama is adapted from Andy West's memoir, The Life Inside, and penned by the acclaimed writer Dennis Kelly. For Dan, the journey is deeply personal. His own father, brother Lee, and uncle Frank have all been incarcerated, forcing him to confront his family's past and his own place in the world as he teaches. He begins to question whether the walls that held his father might also be a part of his own destiny.
The Cast Bringing the Drama to Life
Josh Finan leads the ensemble cast and has spoken enthusiastically about the project, describing his role as "a genuine gift". He praised the script as "hugely sensitive, empathic, hilarious, and at times deeply emotional".
The supporting cast features a roster of respected British actors. Alex Kearns portrays Dan's father, with Stephen Wight playing his brother Lee and Phil Daniels as Uncle Frank. Samantha Spiro takes on the role of Dan's mother, while Francis Lovehall stars as Dris, an inmate serving time for aggravated assault.
BBC's director of drama, Lindsay Salt, has championed the series, highlighting its "inspiring and nuanced new take on male identity, forgiveness and self-discovery". The hope, as expressed by author Andy West, is that the drama moves beyond cliché to genuinely "touch people on either side of the wall". With its unique premise and strong creative team, Waiting For The Out is poised to be a standout addition to the BBC's drama slate this January.
