Prisoner

There have been so many prison dramas over the years, but creative writers and producers continue to breathe life into the subgenre. 'Wentworth' brilliantly remade Australia's true original 'Prisoner Cell Block H', while Jenji Kohan's 'Orange Is The New Black' used storytelling to explore the lives of the women in Litchfield's Penitentiary. Then there was Spain's prison thriller 'Vis A Vis', unsparing in its brutality and gory details, and more recently Jimmy McGovern's excellent 'Time' mini series for the BBC which focuses on how lives of prison officers and their charges overlap. So many prison dramas!

Kim Fupz Aakeson's Danish DR 'Huset' ('Prisoner' although it translates as 'The House') really ratchets the tension up over its 6 episodes. Dark and claustrophobic, The lives of 4 prison officers are profiled and in the background the prison is under threat of closure as authorities struggle to deal with a whole range of 'internal' issues. Fine performances are supported with 'ground level' production values. You often feel you're right there, a real credit to the directors! Officers Henrik (played by David Dencik), rookie Sammi (Youssef Wayne Hvidtfeldt) and Prison Warden Gert (Charlotte Fich) all make 'Huset' highly exciting, but the Danes also wheel on their secret weapon Sofie Gråbøl who many will know as Detective Sarah Lund in earlier series 'Forbrydelsen' ('The Killing'). Gråbøl is electrifying as the decent guard Miriam having to make tough decisions because of people getting to her 'on the outside'. Without giving anything away, the similarity with Stephen Graham's Eric McNally in 'Time' wasn't lost on me.

'Huset' clearly raises issues related to prison life, but at heart it's a classic 'noir' crime drama but set within the confines of a prison. And its protagonists all learn to their cost it's impossible to leave your problems at the prison gates. At times it's depressingly violent, understandably perhaps, and maybe plays too much on the stereotypes of corruption etc. Prison life is a messy business that's for sure! Who's to say it's not true to life? You probably learn more about the Danes and Denmark from events taking place outside (the way Gert deals with her husband's failing health tells you a lot about the humane side of Danish culture, for example), but the pressure these individuals are under is pretty universal. And in that, this prison drama never grows boring. I think overall I preferred McGovern's 'Time', particularly in the way it shows how individuals' lives become compromised in their actions and situation, but 'Huset' follows similar themes and is definitely worth a look. You can see it on BBC iPlayer until February 2025. Highly recommended.

Huset aka Prisoner is a powerful and dark Danish prison drama that focuses on the lives of four prison officers rather than the inmates. Over 6 tense episodes, the story builds slowly but surely, exploring how stress, relationships, and personal struggles affect people working in a tough environment. The prison itself is under threat of closure, adding more pressure to an already broken system.

Sofie Gråbøl stands out in her role as Miriam, a kind-hearted officer who is pushed to her limits. Many would know her from The Killing, and she brings the same intensity here. The whole cast gives excellent performances, above all, Youssef Wayne Hvidtfeldt as Sammi, the young officer dealing with emotional and moral conflict, and David Dencik as Henrik, a fatigued veteran who teaches Sammi the off-book secrets to maintaining a peaceful prison environment.

The show feels very real, with its dark lighting, tight spaces, and simple camera work that puts you right inside the prison. It's not just about crime or violence - it's about people trying to survive and stay true to themselves in a place that constantly tests their limits.

While some parts might feel a bit heavy or even stereotypical, the drama keeps you hooked. It also raises big questions about justice, morality, and what it means to protect others while staying human. The final episode brings all the tensions together in a powerful way.

If you enjoy serious dramas with emotional depth and strong performances, Huset is definitely worth watching.

The entire theme of this six-episode series was about choices and how to make a bad one every time. Betray your mate by having an affair? No problem. Work for drug dealers instead of going to the cops? Absolutely. Fall for a violent, dangerous prisoner while working as a guard? Bingo.

The welter of scenarios just wasn't real as were the decisions taken. Added to this was a portrayal of prison life where drug barons rule and the screws and governors let them that I doubt exists in reality in Denmark. It seemed more like an American prison with clearly racially-differentiated gangs.

I watched till the end but there was no real tension engendered. I wasn't dying to get to the next episode to find out what would happen next.

There is scope for a further season. I'll watch it if it happens but in the hopes that it's better than this one.

A dark tale of people going down, because conditions, because they are trapped in a fight they can't win, a game where everyone loose. Where there is only bad choices and you are doomed no matter what you do. Where humanity and good is always seen as weakens and punished.

There are small clues on how to escape, that the house must be torn down, but it seems a little bit out of context.

But does it work then. Well, yes and no. I have problems with credibility. I don't really think that everyone in that world act that stupid. I don't believe that Danish prisons are like that.

I have a problem with the scenography. It seems too ordinary, too much like every day. It does not set a scene in which the events seems likely. The characters seems to much like you and me, to act like they do. Maybe a slight touch of darkness and some background noise could do it.

It is probably a educated choice of the creators, to make the events happen in a recognizable world. But the distance, verfremdungseffekt, that could make me believe in the story and the characters are missing.

But still, it is a good series, it is worth watching. Well done.

A powerful series that is brilliant in its twists and turns and the level of sustained tension right through. Actors are fantastic in that even the lack of expression on the faces of the main characters, portrays a lot of emotion. I read one review that said there's no understanding of what prison is about, but thats not the point for me. I see it as the writer and director using free license of a prison setting, to portray a powerful story of us as humans, and how even those with the best of morals or intentions, have vulnerabilities or weak spots that can be exploited or manipulated. It is honest, daring, and punchy. I loved it!