- Radio Times
- Review by:
- Alison Graham
Prisoners’ Wives gets me every time. I don’t even mind the occasional illustrative indie ballad (this week, PW makes judicious use of Elbow’s Build a Rocket Boys), because it’s such an involving-to-the-exclusion-of-all-else drama. It’s so cleverly constructed, too. There’s a sequence towards the end that flashes between a revelatory conversation and harrowing events back in the cells that’s almost a piece of choreography, it’s so deftly handled.
But the main meat of the episode is taken up with Family Day at the prison, where the usual rules are relaxed and there are breadsticks and cocktail sausages. Though it’s a nibble of another kind that Paul is after when he hatches a plan with Franny (brilliant Polly Walker).
Meanwhile, nervy Harriet reaches a new understanding with her troubled son and agrees to take on an extra responsibility. And pregnant Gemma prepares to face her furious husband.
About this programme
5/6. Gemma is distressed to discover Andy has been released on bail due to insufficient evidence, and worries the case against Steve is breaking down, while suspecting he knows about her betrayal. Paul sends Francesca a map so they can sneak off for sex during family visiting day, and Lou moves in with Harriet, desperate to get Mason out of care - and with no idea how she will break the news to Sean about their son.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Lou
- Natalie Gavin
- Harriet
- Pippa Haywood
- Gemma
- Emma Rigby
- Francesca
- Polly Walker
- Miss Simms
- Charlotte Donnelly
- Will
- Jason Watkins
- Nicki
- Sue Vincent
- Andy
- Anthony Flanagan
- DS David Hunter
- Andrew Tiernan
- Lauren
- Phoebe Dynevor
- Matt
- Harry McEntire
- Frank
- David Bradley
- Paul
- Iain Glen
- Sean
- Reuben Johnson
- Steve
- Jonas Armstrong
- Maryann
- Julia Barrie
- Gavin
- Adam Gillen
- Debbie
- Juliet Ellis
- Kaneez
- Dystin Johnson
- Ian
- Adrian Rawlins
- Detective Mitchell
- David Keeling
- Mason
- Oliver Hannam
- Tag man
- Steve Garti
- Security officer
- Penny Capper
- Visits hall guard
- Tom Tunstall
- Chairperson
- Rani Moorthy
Crew
- Director
- Harry Bradbeer
- Producer
- Anna Ferguson
- Writer
- Julie Gearey
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