The BBC has quietly released a powerful new drama series just in time for the weekend, with early reviews already calling it 'sensational'. Waiting for the Out, a six-part series adapted from an acclaimed memoir, landed on BBC iPlayer on Saturday 3rd January 2026, with a linear broadcast on BBC One at 9.30pm the same evening.
Inside the Prison Classroom
The series is an adaptation of Andy West's memoir 'The Life Inside', scripted by acclaimed writer Dennis Kelly (known for Together and Matilda the Musical). It stars Bafta-nominated actor Josh Finan (The Responder, Say Nothing) as Dan, a philosopher who begins teaching a class to men in prison.
Each week, Dan leads discussions on profound topics like dominance, freedom, and luck. These age-old philosophical questions take on a raw, new meaning when filtered through the experiences of the incarcerated men, igniting both passion and tension within the prison walls.
A Personal Crisis Unfolds
The drama delves far deeper than the classroom. Dan's work forces him to confront his own traumatic past, growing up with a father, brother, and uncle who all spent time behind bars. Having taken a different path himself, Dan becomes obsessively worried that he belongs in prison just like his father.
As this personal crisis deepens, Dan's actions begin to threaten not only his own future but the stability of his entire family. The series is produced by the company behind major hits like This Is Going to Hurt and Chernobyl, and also features Samantha Spiro, Stephen Wight, and Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo.
Critical Acclaim and Early Buzz
Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. The Guardian praised the series, highlighting the "deeply fascinating" interactions in the prison lessons and Finan's performance. The Radio Times went further, awarding it five stars and suggesting it could already be the 'best show of the year'.
Their review cautioned that as a quieter drama arriving in early January, it risks being overlooked by audiences caught up in other major shows. However, they concluded it 'deserves to be seen and appreciated' and would be a strong contender for any end-of-year list.
To prepare for the role, Josh Finan accompanied author Andy West to a real prison class. He described the experience as 'invaluable', helping him capture the sensory overload and stress of entering a prison for the first time, which is central to the first episode.
Finan noted the series uniquely explores 'the long shadow' cast on families affected by the prison system, examining life both inside and outside the walls. Waiting for the Out is available to stream in full on BBC iPlayer.
