The Capture: From Preposterous to Prescient in the Age of Deepfakes
When The Capture first aired in 2019, critics dismissed it as "preposterous" and "implausible." This BBC drama delved into the horror of technology, portraying a world where surveillance footage could be easily manipulated to frame innocent people for crimes they never committed. At the time, it seemed like an outlandish fantasy—a problem for future generations. Yet, with the rapid rise of AI and deepfakes dominating social media, that fictional world has become our reality. In just seven years, The Capture has transformed from a far-fetched concept into television's most prescient series.
A Prophetic Vision Realised
Lead star Holliday Grainger recalls early reviews that labelled the show "ridiculous," suggesting such technology was decades away. "In just a few years, it's not just special tech guys in the military that are doing deepfakes, it's anyone on TikTok," Grainger explains. "You can literally do it in your front room. The technology has evolved so quickly that the first series is almost passé."
The series follows Grainger's character, DI Rachel Carey, a tenacious detective who uncovers a conspiracy involving deepfake technology known as Correction. Creator Ben Chanan notes that while writing subsequent seasons, he had to invent increasingly zany plots to stay ahead of real-life advancements. "We're constantly playing a game of, 'Are we ahead or are we behind?'" Chanan says, highlighting the challenge of keeping the narrative relevant in a fast-evolving tech landscape.
Deepening Conspiracies and Character Arcs
Each series introduces a new victim of altered footage: Callum Turner's soldier Shaun Emery in series one, and Paapa Essiedu's politician Isaac Turner in series two. However, the spotlight firmly remains on Grainger's Rachel Carey. In the third series, Carey is thrust into the centre of a conspiracy triggered by a terror attack, with ramifications that extend beyond her wildest imagination. The show maintains its gripping pace, demanding viewers' full attention to avoid missing crucial twists.
"You can't be on your phone in the background because you will miss it," Grainger warns. "Ben doesn't dumb it down. He's quite unapologetic in his use of jargon." This stands in stark contrast to many Netflix productions, which are often designed for second-screen viewing, according to industry insiders.
Blurring Lines Between Fiction and Reality
The realism of The Capture is bolstered by extensive research, including advice from a former counter-terrorism expert. This advisor revealed to Grainger that the show's plots are not as far-fetched as they seem. "After just talking to him for five minutes, I realised nothing was far-fetched," she admits.
Real-world deepfake scandals have mirrored the series' themes, from altered videos of Elon Musk used in investment scams to a virtual kidnapping case in Arizona. A pivotal moment came in March 2022, when a fake video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky surfaced online, echoing Essiedu's storyline. "I was like 'OK, it's totally catching us up,'" Chanan recalls.
Grainger found her perspective shifting during the filming of series three, as global events grew increasingly chaotic. "I started to read world events in a different way," she says. "Who is behind these decisions and why?" Chanan shares her scepticism, questioning how society can trust video evidence in an era where fakes are easily created.
The Future of The Capture
As the series potentially concludes, fans may wonder if this is the end for DI Rachel Carey. Grainger suggests a trilogy feels fitting, but leaves the door open for more. "The Capture has the scope to go on—and to go anywhere," she notes. Chanan agrees, stating, "Three is a nice number. A trilogy feels nice." However, he acknowledges that the ongoing evolution of AI provides ample material for future stories.
With its thrilling plot twists and timely exploration of technology's dark side, The Capture remains a must-watch drama that challenges viewers to question the reality around them.
