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BBC drama, Prisoner 951, based on the true story of Nazanin Zatgari-Ratcliffe’s imprisonment in Iran, has been praised as a ‘powerful’ watch.
The four-episode series landed on the BBC last week. It’s inspired by the ordeal faced by British-Iranian citizen Nazanin (Narges Rashidi), who was detained in Iran from 2016 to 2022 and became caught up in a diplomatic battle between the two nations.
As her husband Richard (Joseph Fiennes) battled for justice in the UK, Nazanin was also brutally torn from her baby daughter’s side, missing years of her childhood.
The new show – adapted by Stephen Butchard – is based on the upcoming novel, A Yard of Sky, written by the couple detailing the harrowing experience for the family in the lead up to their reunification.
The dramatisation is split into two perspectives, between that of Nazanin, who endures several years of psychological torture and confinement as she maintains her innocence and protests the accusation of plotting to overthrow the Iranian regime.
Meanwhile, in the UK, we follow Richard as he navigates a distracted, post-Brexit nation pushing him to extreme lengths, including going on hunger strike in order to bring his wife home.
It has been praised by critics for its deft, and human-centred, handling of this complex and wrought story.
The Guardian wrote in its four-star review: ‘This is less a thriller and more a meditation on powerlessness – how do you maintain hope when the world seems oblivious to your plight?’
Adding: ‘While this drama is powered by anger, it’s probably best understood as a defiant love story’
Radio Times echoed: ‘Nazanin’s journey is brought to life wonderfully by Narges Rashidi, in a transformative performance which never breaks the immersion of the viewer.
‘This is a story about resilience, about love, about justice and injustice, but predominantly, it’s the story about Nazanin and Richard, two unremarkable people who were forced to become remarkable through horrific circumstance.’
Over on social media, X user JoelIvoryHarte wrote: ‘Almost too unbearable to watch but quite brilliantly written by Stephen Butchard and the two leads are superb’
‘For me up there with one of the best programmes ever, hell of a story, great acting,’ Tommie Collin shared.
‘I’ve just finished watching Prisoner 951, one of the most powerful, intense real-life dramas I’ve seen (whole boxes of tissues will be needed),’ Jilly Will said.
‘A very moving mini-drama with a fantastic cast,’ Linda Garbutt agreed.
Karen hailed it an ‘absolute must-see’, and Dana Haqjoo agreed it was ‘not one to miss’.
Prisoner 951 is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.
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