Huset

The great Sofie Grabol is one of an ensembl cast in 'Prisoner', a Danish drama that explores the nightmare of the prison system, mostly from the perspective of the guards. Grabol is good as expected, but the whole cast play their roles nicely, although it was probably guilding the lilly a bit to have all three of the major characters compromised (albeit in different ways) by their relationships to prisoners. In spite of this, the individual elements of the story have a grimly plausible feel, and reminds one of how unwilling we are as a society to take the custody and rehabilition of criminals with the seriousness it deserves.

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.

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.

Great storyline and even greater camera and editing work. The viewer gets a real sense of being locked up as a prison guard with a bunch of violent criminals. Who can you trust? Who will get jumped?

The claustrophobic feeling is so central, you even see it in the guard's private sphere. This is best represented by the guard Henrik who is living with his family in a damp caravan because his house is infested. Phenomenal symbolism!

I don't give much for the critics saying it's not a representation of real prison life. It's not a documentary - but a great fiction drama.

Season one's ending does however go a bit over the top. And things like the constant rain for dramatic effect does become a bit annoying.

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.