When we say the word ‘prison’, what comes to mind is the freedom being snatched away, dark and dingy cells, hard labor, living by inflexible rules, prison riots, and every unimaginable horror. It’s hard to think that a place like that can ever host something good. That’s what Catherine Tate’s new show, Hard Cell, is trying to achieve. The show follows the lives of people in the prison, guards and inmates alike for a period of six weeks while they prepare and rehearse for a musical.
Based on the screenplay written by Alex Carter, Niky Wardley, and Catherine Tate, the series is directed by James Kaylor and Tate herself. Tate is also a part of the cast ensemble which includes Donna Preston, Lorna Brown, Christian Brassington, Niky Wardley, Peter Singh, Lisa Davina Phillip, Jola Olajide, Caroline Harding, Stacey Guthrie, Cheryl Fergison, Duncan Wisbey, and Suzie Chard.

Here’s everything to know about the upcoming prison comedy, Hard Cell:
Hard Cell Release Date
Hard Cell got released on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, on Netflix.
How many episodes will Hard Cell have?
Hard Cell has six episodes in total that run for 24 to 27 minutes each.
Hard Cell Trailer
Netflix has released the trailer of Hard Cell, and by the looks of it, it is going one hell of a fun ride. The trailer introduces us to Governor Willis, who is willing to make a difference. It starts with the Governor stating the facts about women being in prisons for nonviolent crimes, but her statements didn’t get enough back when the inmates started counting their offenses like battery and assault, armed robbery, attempt to murder, and whatnot.
But will the Governor step back? No. She wants to change how the prisons run. She wants to bring out the good in people, and according to her, it won’t happen until inmates feel free. Hence, the open doors policy gets approval. With freedom came the responsibility to bring out one’s inner creativity. So what can be better than a musical? Musicals in prison, you think that’s insane? Watch the series, and then you’ll know.
Before that, do take a look at the released trailer:
Hard Cell Plot
Set in the fictional female prison, HMP Woldsley, Hard Cell is a documentary-style comedy that follows Governor Willis who is trying to change how her prison runs. She believes that creativity, a sense of purpose, and self-esteem lead to one’s rehabilitation, not forced rules and unneeded strictness. And what better can be than planning musicals.
So for the next six weeks, all the inmates rehearse together for the musical, which brought together a group of women that differ from each other in all aspects, don’t agree on a lot of things, and some don’t look eye to eye with each other, only to loosen up in a place that usually means complete cut off from one’s freedom. Women find their voices, become more confident than ever before, and work on their relationships in the most comical way possible in the given setting.
Hard Cell Cast

As per IMDb, the following is the list of cast members along with the roles they are playing:
- Catherine Tate as Ange/ Governor Willis
- Christian Brassington as Dean
- Donna Preston as Fat Pat
- Niky Wardley as Anastasia
- Lorna Brown as Cal
- Cheryl Fergison
- Peter Singh as Gary
- Lisa Davina Phillip as Pat Pat
- Stacey Guthrie as ‘Thick as shit’ Jean
- Caroline Harding as Sal
- Duncan Wisbey as Martin
- Jola Olajide as Charlee
- Suzie Chard as No Hat Cathy
- Dimeji Ewuoso as the delivery boy
- Jumoke Fashola as Mama Dede