The new Sky crime drama Prisoner explores the mind of a seductive sociopath, blending tension and moral complexity. The series, written by Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies) and starring Tahar Rahim (The Serpent) and Izuka Hoyle (Boiling Point), follows a prison transport officer and a dangerous inmate forced to work together after an ambush.
The Origin of Prisoner
The idea for Prisoner came from a simple car ride. Charman was driving with his children when they spotted a prison transport vehicle. His kids asked who was inside, sparking his imagination. 'My brain just starts to go into this mode where you start to think about who is in the back and what would be the most interesting, strange, dangerous person to be there,' he explains. The concept of handcuffing two polar opposites together became the ignition point for the drama.
Characters and Conflict
The show pairs Tibor (Rahim), a former assassin and sociopath who has killed 47 people, with Amber Todd (Hoyle), a prison transport officer returning from six months of maternity leave. Amber must escort Tibor to the Old Bailey to testify against his former employer, a crime boss. Handcuffed together, they face obstacles that test their moral lines. 'What are the moral lines that he’ll cross in a heartbeat, that she’ll find harder to cross?' Charman asks.
Research into Sociopathy
Rahim delved deep into research for his role, reading multiple books on sociopaths. He even discussed the script with his own therapist. Charman recalls, 'I did say at one point, you should stop, because it is dark stuff.' However, he acknowledges that actors need to internalize such material to perform authentically. 'I don’t think anyone quite went as deep into the research as him,' Charman adds.
The Seductive Villain
Despite Tibor's horrific actions, the character retains a charm that makes the audience root for him. 'You’ve got to have someone that has a charm and a twinkle that is quite seductive, but underneath that you’re like, my god, he’s done these awful things,' Charman says of Rahim's portrayal. This duality is central to the show's appeal.
Izuka Hoyle's Performance
Hoyle brings a combination of strength and vulnerability to Amber. Charman notes, 'She could not only take care of herself – physically, she lifts this guy up and puts him on her back.' Her audition gave him 'goosebumps,' and co-stars like Eddie Marsan and Catherine McCormack praised her work, asking, 'Where did you find her? She’s great.'
Future Seasons
While Prisoner may remain a limited series, Charman sees potential for more stories. 'I feel like there’s a lot more stories to tell, particularly with the prison transport service, but also the journey that Amber’s on,' he says. 'Her story has only just started.'
All episodes of Prisoner will be available on Thursday, 30 April, on Sky Atlantic and NOW.
