Why doesn’t Amber just cut the handcuffs? Prisoner star explains decision that could leave fans divided

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Being handcuffed together actually seemed to enhance the connection between Izuka Hoyle and Tahar Rahim’s characters in Prisoner, but their relationship is anything but easy.

A prison guard and an inmate weren’t likely to become close, but Amber Hoyle quickly finds herself caught up in a dangerous criminal world, and Tibor Rahim is the only one who can help her.

From the beginning, it’s obvious Amber will be forced to see and participate in things she finds wrong. But it’s puzzling why she doesn’t just break the handcuffs connecting her to Tibor.

As a huge cinema fan, I know a lot of us were probably scratching our heads about Amber’s choice to stay chained to Tibor, even though she clearly doesn’t approve of his actions. So, I actually asked Hoyle directly why she thinks Amber made that difficult decision.

Hoyle explains that her character’s actions stem from her strong moral compass. Even though she often acts impulsively – she’s both a risk-taker and a problem-solver – she believes she’s doing what’s right. Hoyle specifically points to the initial decision to handcuff herself as being driven by this sense of principle, as she told TopMob.

She can hear and see him on the monitor, and immediately says she can’t abandon him when he’s clearly calling for help – she sees the desperation in his eyes as he looks directly at the camera. Ultimately, it’s her responsibility to ensure he appears in court, at the Old Bailey.

In that moment, she wasn’t worrying about the risks – whether she’d return, if others would follow through, or how it might affect her and her family. She was focused on doing what felt right, on doing good, and that was the driving force behind her choice.

Everything changed when their van was attacked, leaving Amber and Tibor as the only people who made it out alive. Determined to keep them both safe, Amber instinctively handcuffed Tibor to herself. A dedicated prison guard, she found herself literally chained to a fugitive with no clear escape.

In the end, they manage to break free, but only after a series of surprising events that will probably change their lives forever.

Amber is strongly motivated by her commitment to her job and, especially, her family. According to Hoyle, her daughter is the primary force behind every choice she makes. She strives to improve her daughter’s life and ensure the safety of her entire family.

Matt Charman and I really wanted to ground Amber’s character in something relatable, given all the intense and violent crime happening around her. We envisioned her as a gentle and caring person, but also incredibly strong due to her role as a mother.

We aimed to create something truly engaging and relatable with Amber’s character. She represents the human side of a world that can often feel cold and detached.

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All episodes of Prisoner will be available on Thursday 30 April on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing, freelancing, and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-04-30 14:36