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Season 1 – Waiting for the Out

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Waiting for the Out Jan 2026 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Freedom isn't always on the outside; teaching in prison, Dan obsesses over his own choices - and confronts his turbulent past.

Critics Reviews

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Phil Harrison Guardian Jan 12
5/5
In the end, this is a gripping, moving study in vulnerability and acceptance. The prisoners open up and eventually, so does Dan. In doing so, they admit the capacity for change. Go to Full Review Rebecca Nicholson Financial Times Jan 8
4/5
...Waiting for the Out is much more sly and offbeat than most, sidestepping the usual prison tropes and instead revealing a drama that softly and insistently pushes its way under the skin. Go to Full Review Anita Singh Daily Telegraph (UK) Jan 8
3/5
To be honest, I can imagine some viewers abandoning it after one episode because it all seemed a bit slow, low-key and like a Guardian feature come to life, more suited to a play than a TV series. But I ploughed on, and it did grow on me. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bernadette S @Bernadette661 Feb 9 Josh Finan was beyond excellent. He portrayed the role as Dan perfectly especially the obsessive compulsive nature of the illness. Wonderful! See more Les N @Vegas628 Feb 4 I wasn't expecting that.... twice! See more kamikazebingo T @NellyTheHammer Jan 22 Oh wow, this is an amazing series. After the first episode, I thought this was some of the best acting I've seen in a drama series for a long time. The other 5 episodes didn't disappoint. Brings to life the real struggles with prison life, drug addiction, OCD behaviour and psychological trauma. Josh Finan plays the part so well, his awkwardness and behaviour just leaps from the screen, makes you uncomfortable seeing Dan so uncomfortable in his own skin. I hope it reaches a wide audience. See more Julie O @julie42 Jan 21 one of the best dramas in a longtime should have been prime time watching See more Read all reviews
Waiting for the Out — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Josh Finan

Dan Stewer

Stephen Wight

Lee Gifford

Gerard Kearns

Dan's Dad

Alex Ferns

Keith McKellar

Phil Daniels

Actor

Ronke Adekoluejo

Officer Stephens

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 3, 2026 Philosophy teacher Dan's first day working in prison hits harder than expected awakening something paternal and revealing he's underestimated both his students and his past. Details Episode 2 Aired Jan 10, 2026 Dan is plunged into a tense rescue mission and glimpses the brutal life Lee escaped; an unexpected encounter allows Dan to help an inmate in a surprising way. Details Episode 3 Aired Jan 17, 2026 Haunted by memories of his absent father, Dan pushes his mother for answers she won't give; when Keith presents a lead, Dan spirals into obsession, straining family ties as he unravels at a dinner party. Details Episode 4 Aired Jan 3, 2026 Dan finds hope until a reckless mistake shows he's more like his father than he thought. Details Episode 5 Aired Jan 3, 2026 As Dan's anxieties spiral, the only thing grounding him is a live feed from his stove until it cuts out; painful memories of his father return, while a tense encounter with Keith derails the class. Details Episode 6 Aired Jan 3, 2026 Dan's future is hanging by a thread; Can he break the cycle, or is he doomed to repeat it? Details
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Waiting for the Out — Season 1

Waiting for the Out Waiting for the Out Waiting for the Out Waiting for the Out View more photos

Season Info

Executive Producer
Katie Carpenter, Jane Featherstone, Chris Fry, Dennis Kelly, Andy West
Screenwriter
Dennis Kelly
Network
BBC
Genre
Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Jan 3, 2026