Channel 4’s prison drama Screw has been slammed by ‘disappointed’ viewers who criticised the ‘editing’ and branded the acting ‘sh***’.
The fast-moving programme stars Nina Sosanya and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell as cynical and overworked warders who are taking on the devious, violent inmates of C Wing.
In the second episode, which aired last night, Nina’s character Leigh was torn over how to keep a transgender male prisoner safe, while Jamie-Lee’s Rose was tasked with assigning a buddy to a particularly irritating inmate.
However many of those watching were left underwhelmed by the programme, with one saying: ‘The editing in this show is giving my eyes whiplash. The cuts are being executed too quickly and seem mostly unnecessary.’
Channel 4’s prison drama Screw has been slammed by ‘disappointed’ viewers who criticised the ‘editing’ and branded the acting ‘sh***’ (pictured, Nina Sosanya)
Another wrote: ‘So many things wrong with this show! I’m sure even someone with no experience of prison would realise an officer wouldn’t shut themselves in a cell with a prisoner for a start!’
A third commented: ‘That Screw on Channel 4 is proper Kieron Dyer. Worst bit of telly in years.’
Meanwhile a fourth wrote: ‘Was looking forward to it but very disappointed.’
‘I thought Screw looked great from the advert. I was wrong,’ another added. ‘ **** editing, acting and storyline.’
Some of those watching were left underwhelmed by the programme and said there were ‘so many things wrong’ with it
Another added: ‘Watched both episodes now, sh*** in my opinion, never been in prison before but I imagine it’s nothing like that. Won’t be watching episode 3.’
‘Screw has turned out to be disappointing,’ another commented. ‘Had been looking forward to a new prison series. It’s a bit *yawn*.’
The second episode of the six part prison drama delved into the reality of working of the prison officers.
Leigh, the head of the embattled prison officer ‘screws’, attempted to convince her fellow officers and inmates to treat inmate Walker, a trans-man, the same as ‘any other prisoner.’
Leigh also clashed with 21-year-old trainee officer Rose, who continued to try to adapt to life in the prison while operating a drug smuggling business on the side (pictured)
In one shocking scene, the officers discussed how the prisoners were planning a ‘cell fight’ between Walker and one of the toughest prisoners, Morley.
One officer could be heard saying: ‘We don’t officially allow [fighting]. But sometimes if it’s one-on-one in a cell, sometimes it’s best to let them punch themselves out before you step in.’
Meanwhile another said they would ‘sometimes turn their eye to a fair fight.’
The officers allowed the fight to take place, with Walker beaten by Morley before being accepted into his gang.
Leigh asked: ‘Is violence really what it takes to prove yourself?’
Meanwhile Leigh also clashed with 21-year-old trainee officer Rose, who continued to try to adapt to life in the prison while operating a drug smuggling business on the side.
Leigh, the head of the embattled prison officer ‘screws’, attempted to convince her fellow officers and inmates to treat inmate Walker, a trans-man, the same as ‘any other prisoner’
The officers allowed the fight to take place, with Walker beaten by Morley before being accepted into his gang (pictured, trans-prisoner Walker after the fight)
The Channel 4 series was written by BAFTA-winning writer Rob Williams who has also worked on The Victim and Killing Eve.
Despite viewers criticism over the ‘unrealistic’ scenes in prison, he has previously insisted every script was ‘read by a serving police officer.’
He said: ‘Our main advisor is a serving prison officer who has been incredibly helpful.
‘John Podmore was great early on when I was working on the big story arcs – he used to be a prison governor in Brixton and Belmarsh, and is still involved in that world.
‘I spoke to Mark Fairhurst of the Prison Officers Association as well, and we’ve been incredibly careful to talk to some of the groups and charities that have a stake in the various issues we address through the show.
‘We’ve been careful not to just assume anything. Everyone has been raving about the set. It’s incredible.’
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