Waiting For the Out was filmed in parts of Merseyside
Waiting For the Out was filmed in Liverpool(Image: BBC)
Waiting For the Out premiered on BBC One last weekend and viewers were quick to praise the gripping new series. The BBC show is centred around Dan (Josh Finan), a philosopher who takes on the role of teaching a group of male prisoners. The show was filmed in and around Liverpool with many familiar locations featured throughout.
Josh Finan has taken on the leading role in the new six-part series viewers are describing as “outstanding”. Waiting For the Out was created by acclaimed screenwriter Dennis Kelly, based on Andy West’s memoir, The Life Inside.
The drama was announced in May 2025, with an impressive cast featuring Josh Finnan, Gerard Kearns, Samantha Spiro and Stephen Wright. Filming took place across the Liverpool City Region including Bootle, St Helens, Southport and Liverpool.
Each episode sees Josh’s character Dan spark debates on topics such as dominance, freedom, and luck – age-old philosophical dilemmas that take on new significance when viewed through the lens of the inmates, stirring emotions and causing friction.
A scene being filmed on St Paul’s Square(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
As Dan delves into his work within the prison, he also explores his own family history, marked by incarceration. His dad, brother Lee, and uncle Frank all served time behind bars.
Despite choosing a different path, Dan begins to question whether he too belongs in prison like his father, a thought process that threatens both his career in philosophy and his family’s stability.
The ECHO spotted filming crew in the city centre last spring when camera crews descended on St Paul’s Square. Although a prison in Gloucester was used for some scenes, the crew made use of many beautiful areas of Merseyside for filming.
As well as St Pauls Square, Silcock’s Funland in Southport can also be spotted in the programme.
Speaking about the show, Josh Finan said: “Having the chance to work with writing of this quality, inspired by such a rich real-life story, alongside such talented creatives is a genuine gift. A real pinch me moment.
Filming for Waiting For the Out in May last year(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
“Every stage of the process so far has been both a joy and a welcome creative challenge. I’m itching to get filming and can’t wait for people to get the chance to watch this hugely sensitive, empathic, hilarious and at times deeply emotional story.”
Taking to social media after watching the series, fans were quick to compliment Josh Finan. One viewer said: “Absolutely superb! Josh Finan is brilliant and has a very bright future ahead!”
A second said: “What an amazing performance by an amazing actor Josh Finan #waitingfortheout @BBCOne thought he was good in The Responder but this was mesmerizing! What a star! Outstanding cast!”
Wirral-born actor Josh Finan takes on the leading role in the BBC series(Image: BBC)
In recent years Merseyside has seen hit shows like Peaky Blinders, The Responder and Missing You filmed on its streets, while the city has played a leading role in superhero films The Batman, and Captain America: The First Avenger.
BBC crime drama This City Is Ours features real-life locations across the city. It is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer, with Scouse actor James Nelson Joyce as one of the leads.
ITV drama Protection is also streaming now. With the support of the Film Office, filming for the drama took place in Wirral, Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton and Halton.
Other dramas filmed in and around Liverpool in recent years include The Responder, starring Martin Freeman, and Time, another drama set in a prison with Sean Bean as the lead.