Escape at Dannemora

In the summer of 2015 two convicted murderers escaped from a maximum security prison in upstate New York, setting off one of the largest manhunts in the state's history. The limited series traces how an unlikely relationship with a married prison employee developed into sexual entanglement that helped the inmates flee. Rather than presenting the break as a simple crime caper, the show follows the tangled personal motives, institutional blind spots, and cascading errors that allowed the escape to happen, while keeping the focus on character choices and consequences without revealing every twist or the end of the search.

Released in 2018 on Showtime, the series was created by Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin, and directed in part by Ben Stiller, who helped shape its procedural and character-driven tone, with the story rooted in the real Dannemora escape.

Patricia Arquette earned major awards recognition, winning a Golden Globe for her lead performance. The series also drew several nominations across awards season, highlighting the strength of its cast and production.

The show reignited public interest in the actual Dannemora case and sparked conversations about how true crime is adapted for television, the ethics of reporting on real people, and the ways media attention can glamorize or complicate criminal acts. Its depiction of a small upstate community under national scrutiny became a frequent reference point in discussions about sensational coverage.

Critics and audiences responded positively, reflected in a vote average around 7.5 out of 10, with particular praise for the lead actors and the textured portrayal of flawed characters. The series repeatedly returns to themes of desire, loyalty, and institutional failure, asking uncomfortable questions about responsibility and how ordinary choices can have extraordinary consequences.