The BBC’s best thriller has never been stronger – it’s being let down
Recently, I’ve found myself repeatedly extolling the virtues of *The Capture* to anyone who’ll give me a moment. For three weeks, I’ve been unable to stop raving about the series, convinced that its brilliance would spark shared excitement among my peers. Yet, it seems my enthusiasm is met with polite nods rather than genuine engagement.
A sleeper hit that faded from the spotlight
When *The Capture* premiered in 2019, it quietly carved out a niche as a slow-burn success. Its first season attracted over five million viewers—a remarkable number for a new suspense series. The show also launched the career of Callum Turner, whose performance earned him a BAFTA nomination, hinting at his potential to follow in the footsteps of James Bond.
Despite its initial acclaim, *The Capture* never became a household name in the way its premise suggested it could. With the same promotional momentum as *Line of Duty* or the recent *The Night Manager* revival, it had the potential to dominate water-cooler conversations and ignite serious discussions. Instead, it remains a niche favorite, struggling to maintain momentum in a saturated market.
The premise that now feels eerily prescient
Starring Holliday Grainger as Rachel Carey, a sharp-witted investigator, the series explores a chillingly realistic scenario: a world where digital manipulation has made CCTV footage and video evidence indistinguishable from the truth. Seven years ago, this concept seemed like science fiction, dismissed by skeptics as too fantastical. Today, however, deepfakes on TikTok and political misinformation have made the show’s central idea feel uncomfortably close to reality.
The second season took this premise further, introducing live broadcasts altered to sway public sentiment and influence elections. This twist elevated the series into a genre-defining force, proving its ability to evolve with the times. Now, in its third season, the show is at its peak, delivering a gripping narrative that challenges the very foundations of truth and perception.
A missed opportunity for cultural resonance
Currently airing Sundays on BBC One, the series has never been more compelling. The opening episode featured a shocking twist: a man Carey witnessed firing a shot later became her colleague. This moment left viewers disoriented, a testament to the show’s masterful storytelling. Yet, the overnight ratings for the first episode fell short, drawing just 1.84 million viewers—a figure significantly lower than the 16 million average for *Line of Duty* episodes in 2021.
The BBC’s scheduling strategy may be to blame. Each Sunday morning, new episodes quietly debut on iPlayer before the main broadcast at 9pm. This approach, while convenient, dampens the collective experience that could have amplified the show’s impact. Last night’s episode was a milestone for long-time fans, but online discourse about its twist was sparse, as if the audience wasn’t fully invested.
Earlier this year, the BBC also launched *Lord of the Flies*, a highly praised adaptation by Jack Thorne. Though a critical triumph, its early release on iPlayer led to a rapid decline in ratings, nearly halving overnight numbers. This pattern suggests a recurring issue: the network’s reluctance to maximize the visibility of its top-tier content.
As the show continues, its relevance grows. Yet, with dwindling viewership and minimal cultural traction, *The Capture* risks being overlooked. It’s a series that deserves more than a quiet launch—it’s time for the BBC to give it the spotlight it so clearly merits.
“It’s around us every single day.”
At the time of writing, which is the morning after the latest episode, it’s clear that *The Capture* remains a powerhouse of storytelling. But without a strategic push to align it with the modern viewing landscape, its brilliance may go unnoticed. The BBC’s approach to scheduling and promotion has become a barrier to its potential.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy.
