Waiting for the Out writer explains the show’s take on masculinity as not being a “huge problem”

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The upcoming BBC drama, Waiting for the Out, is adapted from Andy West’s memoir, The Life Inside, and written by Dennis Kelly, known for his work on shows like Utopia and Pulling.

This six-episode show centers on Dan, played by Josh Finan, a philosopher who comes from a family with a history of imprisonment – his father, brother, and uncle have all been to jail. When Dan begins teaching a class to inmates, he becomes increasingly concerned that he, too, might belong in prison.

Kelly expressed frustration with the constant discussion around masculinity. She pointed out that while there’s a focus on the struggles of white working-class men, it’s equally, if not more, challenging for white working-class women, and even harder for Black working-class individuals. She felt the conversation often overlooks these broader experiences.

We’ve fallen into a pattern of focusing on problems one at a time, rather than seeing the full picture, and I think that’s unhelpful. I really wanted to highlight the positive sides of being a man, though it was difficult to do, because there’s so much discussion about masculinity right now.

Kelly explained that discussions around masculinity often fall into two unhelpful extremes: either overly critical analyses of ‘toxic masculinity’ or complaining from figures like Andrew Tate, Piers Morgan, or Bill Maher. She believes neither approach is correct, stating that she and the person she’s speaking to don’t fit into either of those categories.

Many people don’t identify with or fear being perceived as like Tommy Robinson, and they aren’t afraid to express their masculinity. I simply wanted to portray this without making it seem like a major issue.

Kelly admitted it was surprisingly difficult, as he kept finding himself discussing fatherhood, a subject he’d initially tried to avoid.

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I was completely shocked – becoming a dad to a six-year-old is the most important thing in my life,” Kelly explained. “But it wasn’t always that way. I’ve spent many years without being a father.

It really bothers me when the only advice offered is simply, ‘Be a good dad,’ or that men can be good, protective fathers. That’s not enough! I wasn’t looking for simple solutions, and I don’t believe they exist. However, it was valuable to explore the topic and find some insights within it.

The series features a talented cast including Finan, Gerard Kearns, Stephen Wight, Phil Daniels, and Samantha Spiro.

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

Don’t forget to add “Waiting for the Out” to your watchlist on the TopMob app! Download it now to get daily TV recommendations, exclusive features, and stay up-to-date on all things TV.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

As a critic, I’ve been following James Hibbs’ work at TopMob for a while now, and he’s clearly a versatile writer with a solid grasp of the TV landscape. He covers everything from streaming hits to traditional network shows. Before becoming a writer, he spent time in public relations, first with a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, a major international production company. His background is interesting – he’s got a BA in English and Theatre Studies, which makes sense given his insightful takes, and he’s also a trained journalist with an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma, so he really knows how to get to the heart of a story.

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2025-12-30 03:42