Waiting for the Out review: Sensational drama tackles masculinity, the justice system with welcome nuance

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A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Is it too soon to declare the biggest TV show of 2026? Definitely. We’re still in 2025, and “Waiting for the Out” doesn’t even premiere until January 3rd.

I was completely captivated by this incredible six-part series! As soon as the final episode finished, I immediately bought a copy of the book it’s based on – Andy West’s The Life Inside. That should tell you just how much I loved watching it – it really stayed with me.

This also explains my perspective on the show. Before watching it, I hadn’t even heard of the book it’s based on, let alone read it.

I won’t be able to judge how well the book has been adapted for the screen. I understand significant changes were made by the writer, Dennis Kelly, and the rest of the production team, including West.

Despite everything else, I think “Waiting for the Out” is a truly remarkable show. It’s fascinating, informative, funny, and even moving – a standout series in a time when viewers have so many options to choose from.

As mentioned before, the show draws inspiration from West’s life story, but the main character’s name was changed to Dan to reflect the many adjustments made when turning the memoir into a series.

Dan, portrayed by Josh Finan, comes from a family with a history of imprisonment. His father (Gerard Kearns), brother Lee (Stephen Wight), and uncle Frank (Phil Daniels) have all served time in prison.

Dan’s life has taken an unusual turn, making his decision to leave teaching and instead lead classes for prisoners particularly interesting.

In his meetings with the men, Dan guides discussions about concepts like power, independence, and fortune, while also building personal connections with each individual.

As Dan remains in prison for a longer period, he becomes increasingly convinced he deserves to be there. This worry, combined with the development of compulsive habits in his personal life, starts to jeopardize his future and the well-being of his family.

Even a simple summary of the story reveals how complex and layered this series is. It doesn’t shy away from difficult and complicated issues, and attempting to address them all simultaneously is a remarkably ambitious move.

It’s understandable why this series isn’t focused on flashy visuals. It avoids relying on special camera techniques, unusual filming styles, or overly distinctive visual effects that are common in many dramas today.

Watching ‘Waiting for the Out’ highlights that long, serious storylines aren’t always essential. This doesn’t mean they can’t be good or work well – in fact, last year’s series ‘Adolescence,’ which tackled difficult subjects like masculinity, showed just how effective they can be.

This story takes a different approach, concentrating entirely on the characters, their conversations, and how the actors portray them.

The conversations between the prisoners are incredibly engaging. While a background in philosophy might enhance your experience, it’s definitely not required to enjoy them. This is a chance to see how each character approaches these complex ideas, and how people think about big, open-ended questions about life.

The show also allows for a look at different kinds of masculinity. Dan is clearly different from the other inmates in how he expresses his manhood, but the prisoners themselves aren’t all the same either, and they each have their own perspectives on the subject.

Kelly isn’t trying to tell people what to believe, but rather to start a conversation about what it means to be a man today. This idea is central to the whole series, extending far beyond the prison classroom setting.

The inmates frequently talk about justice, the fairness of the British legal system, and the prison experience itself. The series doesn’t offer simple solutions, and instead, it’s the complex details and shades of gray that make it compelling.

The way the film shows Dan’s struggles is remarkably well done. It feels realistic and true to his personality – there are no dramatic outbursts or breakdowns. Instead, his difficulties are mostly internal, a quiet fight he keeps hidden from others.

We often see Dan’s father – portrayed as a young man by Gerard Kearns – appearing as a vision, someone Dan hasn’t connected with since childhood. It becomes clear Dan has unresolved issues with his dad, and we gradually learn more about this relationship alongside him throughout the series.

The show also deserves recognition for how it portrays compulsive behaviors and intrusive thoughts. Viewers who have experienced these issues themselves, or know someone who has, will likely appreciate the show’s sensitive and insightful approach.

This topic hasn’t been shown much on screen and is often misunderstood, and the series actually highlights that lack of understanding. So, the show’s detailed and thoughtful approach to it is really appreciated.

When tackling difficult and complicated subjects, strong acting is essential for a story to succeed. Luckily, ‘Waiting for the Out’ features a cast that delivers exactly that – outstanding performances all around.

Honestly, everyone’s going to be talking about Josh Finan, and for good reason – he’s fantastic. He’s in almost every scene and really anchors the whole series, guiding you through all its different layers and complexities. He just carries it beautifully.

Dan’s performance isn’t flashy; it’s remarkably subtle. He keeps a lot hidden, which fits with the show’s theme of exploring what it means to be a man.

This story doesn’t easily fit into a single genre, but it will resonate with a lot of people. The character feels either personally familiar or reminds us of someone we know, and that’s largely due to the actor Finan’s excellent performance.

Finan delivers a standout performance, but the actors playing the prisoners are equally captivating. Each one brings a unique quality to their role, and the entire group works together seamlessly – removing any single performer would disrupt the overall dynamic.

Francis Lovehall deserves particular recognition for his deeply moving portrayal of Dris, especially in a particularly emotional scene around the middle of the show.

Despite dealing with some heavy and emotionally powerful topics, this series is surprisingly funny. It manages to stay lighthearted and isn’t at all depressing or hard to watch.

The series is thoughtful and often emotionally painful, but it’s also surprisingly lighthearted and consistently funny.

The show’s length is also well-considered. At 45 minutes per episode, it’s a common runtime for channels that show commercials, but it’s unusual for the BBC, which typically reserves that length for shows aimed at families or younger audiences, like Doctor Who or A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

While ‘Waiting for the Out’ could potentially have been successful as an hour-long show, the 45-minute format feels just right. It strikes a nice balance between the show’s serious themes and its generally upbeat tone, making it a really enjoyable experience.

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The show remains ambitious despite its intricate plot. Even while exploring the complexities of Dan’s work and personal struggles, it still dedicates significant time to his relationships, family, and home life.

Some of the most powerful moments in the story are the talks between Dan and his brother Lee. While Lee has managed to find more stability in his life, he’s still haunted by his past and struggles with addiction, which heavily influence their conversations.

This show isn’t going to appeal to all viewers, and that’s okay. As someone who watches a great deal of television, I find it genuinely fresh and different, which is really exciting.

I hope my description helps you decide if this is something you’d enjoy. If you like philosophy, stories about inner struggles, or dramas focused on characters, then this might be a good fit.

If you’re hoping for a show packed with action, stunning visuals, or surprising plot twists, this probably isn’t it. There are many other series that deliver those things, but this one takes a different approach.

This show is a subtle and thoughtful series, and I’m concerned it might be overlooked. With so many other popular shows debuting early in the year – like The Night Manager and The Traitors – and everyone focused on their New Year’s resolutions, it risks getting lost in the shuffle.

It would be really disappointing if people missed out on “The Out.” It’s a show that truly connects with the right audience. In fact, if it doesn’t end up being one of my favorite shows of 2026, that means television will have had an exceptionally strong year overall. Either way, it feels like a positive outcome.

Waiting for the Out will premiere on Saturday 3rd January at 9:30pm on BBC One.

As a total movie buff, I just discovered this app called TopMob: What to Watch, and it’s already helping me find amazing films! They’ve got a title called ‘Waiting for the Out’ that I’m adding to my watchlist right now. If you’re like me and always looking for something new to watch, you should definitely download the app – they give you daily recommendations and cool features, too!

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, a global TV production company. He has a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2025-12-30 03:41