The BBC found itself at the centre of a social media storm this weekend as its highly anticipated new prison drama, Waiting for the Out, made its debut, leaving audiences sharply divided. The six-part series, which premiered on Saturday, 3rd January 2026, immediately prompted a flood of complaints from some viewers, while others hailed it as a brilliant and innovative piece of television.
A Drama Born from a 'Heartbreaking' True Story
The series is an adaptation of Andy West's memoir, 'The Life Inside', and has been brought to the screen by award-winning writer Dennis Kelly. It follows the story of Dan Stewer (played by Josh Finan), a man who begins teaching philosophy to a group of male inmates. His lessons delve into profound themes like dominance, freedom, and luck, topics which take on a raw and powerful new significance when viewed through the prisoners' lived experiences.
The official synopsis reveals a deeper personal crisis for Dan. Haunted by a family history where his father, brother, and uncle all spent time behind bars, Dan's work in the prison triggers a debilitating obsession. He becomes consumed by the fear that he, too, belongs in a cell, a fear that begins to unravel his life outside the walls.
Viewers Take to Social Media with Mixed Reactions
Following the first episode, reaction on X (formerly Twitter) was swift and polarised. A contingent of viewers expressed strong dissatisfaction with the show's premiere. One disgruntled viewer stated, "Well this is 45 mins of my life I won't get back," while another criticised the protagonist's actions, writing, "God this is awful. Fella has no survival instinct."
However, these complaints were balanced by a wave of positive feedback from other audience members who were captivated by the drama's approach. One impressed viewer commented on its unique style, saying, "Wow very interesting style! Quite different from anything else I've seen." Another shared their optimism for the series, posting, "Just watched #WaitingForTheOut and I think it's going to be brilliant."
The Creative Vision Behind the Series
The creative team behind the project have emphasised their desire to move beyond stereotypes. Andy West, who served as an executive producer on the series, expressed his hope that the show would "go beyond the clichés about prisons and the families inside them." He praised the adaptation for bringing "extraordinary creative and moral imagination" to the stories from his book.
Writer and executive producer Dennis Kelly highlighted the source material's unexpected tone, describing West's memoir as "funny, insightful, beautiful, genuinely heartbreaking and nothing like what you'd expect." Kelly noted that capturing this unique essence was a key goal for the television adaptation.
The ensemble cast features a host of notable actors including Samantha Spiro, Phil Daniels, Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo, Alex Ferns, and Stephen Wight. The first episode set the stage for Dan's turbulent journey, showing him lose control of his philosophy class, jeopardise his personal relationships, and confront a haunting figure from his past.
Waiting for the Out is now available to stream in full on BBC iPlayer, allowing the British public to judge the divisive drama for themselves.
