The BBC faced an immediate and divided reaction from its audience on Saturday, 3rd January 2026, following the premiere of its highly anticipated new six-part drama, 'Waiting for the Out'. The series, which is based on a 'heartbreaking' true story, has ignited passionate debate, with some viewers lodging complaints while others have praised its bold approach.
A Drama Born from Real-Life Experience
The series has been adapted by award-winning screenwriter Dennis Kelly from Andy West's memoir, 'The Life Inside'. West, who also serves as an executive producer on the show, spent time teaching philosophy in prisons, and his unique perspective forms the backbone of the narrative. The story follows Dan Stewer, portrayed by Josh Finan, a man who volunteers to teach philosophy to a group of male inmates.
Dan's lessons explore profound themes like dominance, freedom, and luck, topics that take on a raw and powerful new meaning when filtered through the lived experiences of the prisoners. However, the classroom setting soon becomes a catalyst for Dan's own personal unravelling. Haunted by a family history where his father (Gerard Kearns), brother Lee (Stephen Wight), and uncle Frank (Phil Daniels) all spent time behind bars, Dan begins a dangerous psychological descent.
As the official synopsis notes, his work in the prison triggers an obsessive fear that he, too, belongs incarcerated. This deepening crisis threatens not only his future but also the stability of his family, including his chance to become a father and his relationship with his new girlfriend.
Audience Reaction: From 'Awful' to 'Brilliant'
The debut episode, which saw Dan's first chaotic day of teaching, prompted a swift and polarised response on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). A significant number of viewers expressed frustration and disappointment.
"Well this is 45 mins of my life I won't get back," wrote one disgruntled viewer. Another criticised the protagonist's actions, stating, "God this is awful. Fella has no survival instinct." A third simply labelled the show "so weird."
In stark contrast, another segment of the audience was thoroughly impressed. One viewer praised the show's unique style, commenting, "Wow very interesting style! Quite different from anything else I've seen." Another early supporter shared, "Just watched #WaitingForTheOut and I think it's going to be brilliant."
Creative Hopes Behind the Controversy
Despite the mixed reception, the creative team behind the series has clear ambitions. Executive producer Andy West expressed his gratitude to the adaptation team, stating they brought "extraordinary creative and moral imagination" to his book. He hopes the series will move beyond clichés about prisons and connect with people "either side of the wall."
Writer and executive producer Dennis Kelly highlighted the unique source material, describing West's book as "funny, insightful, beautiful, genuinely heartbreaking and nothing like what you'd expect." He admitted the challenge of translating that tone to screen, concluding, "God alone knows if we've succeeded, but we've tried..."
The ensemble cast for 'Waiting for the Out' also includes Samantha Spiro, Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo, Alex Ferns, and Tom Moutchi, among others. All six episodes of the series are now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
