The Capture (TV series)

The Capture is a British surveillance thriller television series created by Ben Chanan. It premiered on BBC One in the United Kingdom in September 2019 and subsequently aired on Peacock in the United States.

The series revolves around the complex world of digital manipulation and deepfakes, exploring themes of misinformation, surveillance, and the power of technology to distort reality. Each season focuses on a new case, often involving former or current members of the military or intelligence services, and delves into the ethical dilemmas posed by advanced surveillance technology.

The first season stars Callum Turner as Shaun Emery, a British soldier whose conviction for a war crime is overturned, only for him to find himself accused of kidnapping and murder based on seemingly irrefutable CCTV footage. As Emery attempts to clear his name, DCI Rachel Carey, played by Holliday Grainger, is brought in to investigate the case, leading her down a rabbit hole of fabricated evidence and systemic corruption.

The second season continues to explore the implications of manipulated video evidence and tackles broader themes of political interference and the erosion of trust in institutions. Paapa Essiedu joins the cast as Isaac Turner, a rising politician who becomes the target of a similar deepfake conspiracy. Holliday Grainger reprises her role as DCI Rachel Carey, now working against both the intelligence services and criminal elements to uncover the truth.

The Capture has been praised for its topical and thought-provoking storylines, its exploration of contemporary societal anxieties around technology and surveillance, and its strong performances from the cast. Its realistic portrayal of intelligence agencies and the potential for misuse of technology has resonated with audiences. The series has been renewed for a third season.