As we all desperately await the arrival of the next series of Line Of Duty, we have something to fill the AC-12-shaped void. Prey is ITV’s unmissable crime drama. It’s similarly shaped by hidden bad apples and jaw-dropping twists and turns that’ll have you on the edge of your seat, and – dare we say – rivals Line Of Duty.
Introducing DC Farrow (John Simm) whose life is upturned in seconds when he’s framed for a heinous crime he hasn’t committed. He’s forced to go on the run and uncovers a twisted trail of corruption – not knowing who from his former police friends have turned. Later, we meet prison officer David Murdoch, who falls to the mercy of chilling criminals who’ve captured his pregnant daughter. Will either be able to escape the web of corruption that entangles them?
Intrigued? With Prey now available to watch in full on ITV, here’s everything you need to know about the series before you watch it, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Prey about?
ITV/Shutterstock
The nail-biting series introduces us to Detective Constable Farrow (John Simm), who isn’t actually solving a crime – he’s on the run after being charged with the murder of his ex-wife and one of his children. But how did he get here? While investigating a criminal called Lomax, he returned home to find his family dead, with the crime scene set up to frame him.
Upon being transported to custody, the police van crashes dramatically and he becomes a fugitive. Trying to uncover what actually happened, he unravels corruption in the force and doesn’t know which colleagues – if any – he can trust, and DS Susan Reinhardt (Rosie Cavaliero) is certain of his guilt and hellbent on capturing him.
Series 2 is just as nail-biting, Prison officer David Murdoch (Philip Glenister) is transporting inmate Jules Hope (MyAnna Buring) to a medical visit, when he receives an alarming call that his pregnant daughter, Lucy (Sammy Winward), has been kidnapped. He’s now under the thumb of her captor, who threatens to kill him if he doesn’t abide by his rules and free Jules. DS Susan returns on the trail of the larger coercion network and it soon becomes a gripping race against time to save Lucy.
Who’s in the cast of Prey?
ITV/Shutterstock
The cast for Prey includes:
John Simm (Life On Mars) as DS Marcus Farrow Rosie Cavaliero (Unforgotten) as DS Susan Reinhardt Craig Parkinson (Line Of Duty) as DI Sean Devlin Adrian Edmondson (Bottom) as ACC Warner Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange) as DS Ashley Chan Anastasia Hille (A Gentleman In Moscow) as DCI Andrea MacKenzie Heather Peace (Waterloo Road) as Abi Farrow Ray Emmet Brown (The Bill) as Tony Reinhardt Struan Rodger (Shetland) as Topher Lomax Brian Vernel (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) as Dale Lomax Ezra Dent-Watson as Finn Farrow Daniel Jillings (Hollyoaks) as DC GibbonsPhilip Glenister (Life On Mars) as David MurdochMyAnna Buring (The Witcher) as Jules Hope Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Misfits) as DC Richard IddonRalph Ineson (Game Of Thrones) as DCI Mike WardSammy Winward (Emmerdale) as Lucy MurdochKieran O’Brien (24 Hour Party People) as Phil PrenticeIs there a trailer for Prey?
Yes – you can watch the full trailer for Prey here.
Is Prey any good?
ITV/Shutterstock
Yes – if you’re a Line Of Duty fan, you’re going to want to add Prey to your list. At the core of this whodunnit with a twist is institutional corruption and explosive scenes. John Simm’s performance in the first series was the standout for us – and not knowing what his fate would be until the final moment kept us hooked (and on the edge of our seats).
How can I watch Prey?
You can watch Prey now on ITV.
What other crime dramas can I watch now?
Channel 4
For another thrilling crime drama, we’d point you towards Irvine Welsh’s Crime. The series, set in Edinburgh, follows Detective Inspector Ray Lennox (Dougray Scott) who’s tasked with investigating grisly and complex cases while battling his various personal demons of his own. You can watch Irvine Welsh’s Crime now on ITVX. Another option for lovers of stomach-clenching thrillers is In Flight, where Katherine Kelly stars as a flight attendant, Jo, who’s blackmailed into becoming into an international drug smuggler. In Flight is available to watch now on Channel 4.