Channel 4 Screw recap: What happened in series one as season two kicks off?

Aug 05, 2023

The Channel 4 series follows the lives of prison officers in a busy men's prison - but what happened in series one?

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The popular Channel 4 series that follows the lives of prison officers and the goings on inside the walls of Long Marsh prison has returned for its second series airing on Wednesday, August 30.

The series, whose first season last January was a hit, will continue to follow the lives of officers Leigh Henry (Nina Sosanya), Rose Gill (played by Derry Girls' Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), Jackie Stokes (Laura Checkley), Gary Campbell Stephen Wright), Ali Shah (Faraz Ayub) and Don Carpenter (Ron Donachie) who all work on the C Wing of Long Marsh Prison and their relationships with its prisoners.

If you're keen to watch the new series tonight but can't quite remember what happened in the first series, we're here to help with a small recap for you of the Scottish-filmed TV drama created by Killing Eve screenwriter Rob Williams.

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Season one saw Officer Rose Gill join Long Marsh prison as a cocky and freshly-trained prison guard in a rowdy men's prison who is under the guidance of senior office Leigh Henry, who keeps the inmates in line. But as the series goes on, viewers learn that the officers as well as the inmates are keeping secrets - from family beginnings to twisted pasts involving criminals and gang members.

At the end of the series, viewers watched as one of their officers was shot by an inmate who hates 'screws' - the slang term given to correctional officers. But what happens next, in series two, is guaranteed to have fans of the show on the edge of their seats - or sofas.

A synopsis from Channel 4 reads: "After the tragic events of the series one finale, our team of embattled prison officers are determined to make a fresh start. But as those behind the cell doors of C Wing know only too well, moving on isn’t always simple. With changes at the very top and fresh faces on the wing, Leigh’s new bond with Rose (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell – Derry Girls) - and the secrets they share - will be tested to the limit.

"As the whole team struggles to make a difference to the complicated lives in their care, rumours of an undercover policeman on the wing threatens order at Long Marsh, and the pressure is on Leigh to identify him before his fellow inmates do – because as the new Governor reminds her, another death on C Wing would mean the end of C wing - and Leigh’s team. But which of the new arrivals on C Wing could it be?"

Screw airs on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm. It will be the first of six episodes that'll air on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

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