The Capture writer explains why shocking character death in episode 3 was “an easy decision”

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*Warning – contains major spoilers for The Capture season 3 episode 3.*

We’re halfway through season 3 of The Capture, and while the show has already delivered some major surprises, the death of Frank Napier in episode 3 was particularly shocking.

Ron Perlman has appeared in all three seasons of the show. In the third episode, his character was asked by Rachel Carey, played by Holliday Grainger, to aggressively question Noah Pierson, portrayed by Killian Scott.

Despite intense physical and mental torment from Napier, Pierson refused to share any information about his possible role in the murder of Isaac Turner.

By the episode’s end, Pierson had defeated Frank’s men, disarming and killing them. He then found Frank trying to force his way through a locked door. Pierson simply said, “Thank you for your service,” before shooting and killing him.

TopMob had an exclusive interview with Ben Chanan, the creator of The Capture, where they discussed the difficult decision to kill off the character Frank and the reasoning behind the timing.

He explained it wasn’t a difficult choice, because while writing, he often assumed it would be the final series. He admitted that might not be true – he never wants to rule anything out – but he believes it’s a good approach to treat each series as if it’s the last one, rather than continuing just to keep the story going.

Chanan explained that he’s very particular about the halfway point of each season. He aims for episode 3 to be a standout – often the best of the season – by introducing a major event. He felt killing off Frank was a suitably impactful moment for that purpose.

I was really impressed with the work our director, Anthony Philipson, did on this. You can tell the director is a fan of Ron Perlman – and it definitely comes through in the final result.

I talked to Ron before it happened and told him this was the final season, so it would be a memorable exit for his character. He was okay with it, actually relieved. I think actors generally don’t mind their characters dying, especially if it’s the last season of the show, but it’s important to give them a fitting and impactful farewell.

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Okay, so Pierson manages to slip back into headquarters after his little run-in with Frank, and the guy just acts completely normal. It’s a bold move, honestly. Then he finds Carey, and you can see the shock on her face when she sees him. He pulls her aside and, in a really tense moment, whispers that they’re in this together, that their only way out is to rely on each other. It’s a classic setup, but the delivery felt loaded with meaning – like they’re both in deep trouble, and trust is a rare commodity.

It’s unclear what the full impact will be, but Carey appears to be in a difficult position again, having lost a key and unexpected supporter.

I was so hyped for episode 3 after hearing Chanan say it was the best one they’d ever done! Now that we’ve all finally seen it, I’m curious to hear what other fans think, but wow – it really changed things up and I’m already wondering where the rest of the season is going to go!

The Capture season 3 will continue on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 29 March 2026.

Don’t miss out on The Capture! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

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 the international production company Fremantle. He has a BA in English and Theatre Studies, and a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-03-22 16:04