The Capture (Season 1), 2019

✫ 7/10

Favourite Character: DI Rachel Carey

C: “They won’t let you run your own counter terror ops till you’ve proved you can run a high profile murder… kidnapping…”

F: “Better not fuck this up then.”

BBC’s The Capture is a fascinating thriller starring Holliday Granger and Callum Turner. Set in London’s police district, Detective Inspector Rachel Carey (Grainger) is assigned to the case of Shaun Emery, a British ex-soldier who has been wrongfully arrested for a crime he did not commit based on seemingly questionable CCTV footage. Carey, desperate to prove herself and rise in the Counterterrorism ranks to run her own operations, finds herself trapped between ethical dilemmas and conspiracy theories, when she begins to suspect the evidence against Emery is inaccurate.

Created by Ben Chanan, series one delves into the likes of Artificial Intelligence and deep fakes, analyzing how easily reality can be manipulated by advanced technologies, and exhibiting the devastating effects such exploitation can have on the world of justice.

Holliday Grainger delivers a compelling, gritty performance as Carey, the emotional backbone of the series, as we follow her journey from suspicion to revelation. The competitive chemistry between the leads is strong and adds a likeable depth to their characters, particularly Grainger’s – her complex relationships leading to us siding with her in most circumstances and rooting for her all the way. Callum Turner’s performance as Shaun Emery is captivating and mysterious, keeping us on the narrow line between believing his innocence and suspecting his guilt.

Ben Chahan’s direction is calculated and maintains high-level suspense throughout the series, with sharp writing, and witty, well-crafted dialogue that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. With each episode, another layer of mystery is lifted, and the twists and turns grow increasingly harder to predict.

The visual storytelling is the strongest point of the series, a perfected balance of traditional cinematography and high-angle surveillance footage creating an uneasy, voyeuristic atmosphere that reinforces the narrative’s core message; the terrifying power of advanced technology in today’s world. It is clear there has been meticulous attention paid to the details of technology and the settings used, which makes for a completely encapsulating watch with each episode.

The Capture is a must-watch for fans of intelligent detective thrillers. Combining a gripping narrative with strong performances all round, as well as the timely exploration of the constantly-monitored world, viewers are left questioning the very fabric of reality, which is always a sign of an excellent show.