The Escape Artist: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 16 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 16 Ratings

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The Escape Artist

Now Playing: The Escape Artist

Season Details & Credits

PBS | BBC | BBC One | Season Premiere Date: October 29, 2013

Starring: Sophie Okonedo, Anton Lesser, David Tennant

Summary: Masterpiece Mystery brings the BBC miniseries about barrister Will "The Escape Artist" Burton (David Tennant), who has never lost a case, as he defends accused murderer Liam Foyle (Toby Kebbell). Burton, however, soon discovers his client is more dangerous than he thought.

Genre(s): Drama, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E3. Episode 3
Air Date: November 12, 2013
tbd
S1:E2. Episode 2
Air Date: November 5, 2013
tbd
S1:E1. Episode 1
Air Date: October 29, 2013

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Metascore

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Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Melissa Maerz

Jun 6, 2014

It may sound like your typical procedural--but by part 1's cliff-hanger ending, it clearly isn't and the very intense Tennant deserves much of the credit for that. [13 Jun 2014, p.77]

Dorothy Rabinowitz

Jun 18, 2014

It succeeds despite its little kinks in logic, mesmerizes despite the fact that we're moved to pause periodically to marvel at a plot line that requires an audience to believe that the sharpest-witted characters can be oblivious to the screaming-in-neon signs of disaster lying just ahead. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Jun 20, 2014

Who the real animal is here remains to be seen, with surprising and mostly satisfying fallout in this taut legal thriller. Read full review

Alasdair Wilkins

Jun 12, 2014

As an actors’ showcase, The Escape Artist is a distinct success. The fact that that very clearly was not its primary artistic goal only matters so much. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Jun 12, 2014

Suffice to say the legal jockeying and cat-and-mouse games are mildly juicy and suspenseful (thanks in part to Kebbell’s unsettling performance as TV’s latest deranged lunatic with a pleasant face), provided one doesn’t work too hard at seeking to decipher them. Read full review

Hank Stuever

Jun 12, 2014

Tennant is once again terrific at juggling a lot of emotions from one moment to the next. The supporting cast is also sufficiently fine, including a steely performance from Sophie Okonedo.... Plodding on too far, The Escape Artist becomes a revenge story. And yet, for the ineffably eurocentric reasons I was describing earlier, you keep watching and waiting for the surprise. Read full review

David Hinckley

Jun 13, 2014

At times we're watching largely to see if there will be a clever turn in the writing. It would be better if we were more invested in the character drama. Read full review

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8.8

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User Reviews

klea0721

Dec 7, 2014

One of the best courtroom dramas and accompanying personal dramas I've seen in years. All performances were outstanding and although the story was told in three distinct parts, the intensity of easy episode never let up, with a terrific hold your breath finale.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

joelgreenberg

Mar 8, 2022

The Escape Artist is a real surprise, in the best way. What begins as fairly standard issue court drama, and it is well done, becomes a limited series as compelling as anything I've seen these past couple of years - and I've gobbled up more British crime and thriller programming than I'dThe Escape Artist is a real surprise, in the best way. What begins as fairly standard issue court drama, and it is well done, becomes a limited series as compelling as anything I've seen these past couple of years - and I've gobbled up more British crime and thriller programming than I'd ever thought likely.
David Tennant is an actor with the widest range imaginable - and in this series his capacity to play shock, terror and comedy are given a workout. The writing and shaping of the episodes make this series unique, in that there's no guessing where the story is going.
The only misstep in the writing is the final climax between the two male characters - there is an undeniable feeling that the writer couldn't quite get to where he needed to get to without imposing an unlikely series of events - but after that, happily, he provides a punchline that is as hilarious as it is totally satisfying. Watch it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

katezoe

Jul 7, 2014

Must see TV at its best. Main characters do a great job and the irony of the story is to good for words. Exciting, edge of your seat and smart. Have not seen a legal/crime show in quite a while that immediately grabbed your attention and did not let go.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

KimD

Jun 18, 2014

This is a taut suspense driven character story-not just a normal procedural. It was a cat and mouse game that you weren't handed the antagonist's motives or background on plate-leaving you wondering what was next.
The dark and gloomy landscape added to the atmosphere as well as the setThis is a taut suspense driven character story-not just a normal procedural. It was a cat and mouse game that you weren't handed the antagonist's motives or background on plate-leaving you wondering what was next.
The dark and gloomy landscape added to the atmosphere as well as the set design of minimalist modernistic living spaces juxtaposed to solitary cabin and council flats.
David Tennant was outstanding.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

jeremyp

Jun 24, 2014

A taut series about a serial killer and the defense lawyers who let him loose, only this time the killer is let loose by the lawyer whose wife he ends up killing, and his biggest competitor for legal bragging rights then gets him off. The legal shenanigans are cynical and ludicrous but, heyA taut series about a serial killer and the defense lawyers who let him loose, only this time the killer is let loose by the lawyer whose wife he ends up killing, and his biggest competitor for legal bragging rights then gets him off. The legal shenanigans are cynical and ludicrous but, hey this is a drama. In the end the Lawyer goes after the killer the old fashioned way and sets it up so he has the law on his side. The trials are silly, but serve to keep the pot boiling.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Seasons & Episodes

71

Series Overview
Season 1

71
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 29, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E3. Episode 3
  Air Date: November 12, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E2. Episode 2
  Air Date: November 5, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E1. Episode 1
  Air Date: October 29, 2013