The Prisoner
No man is just a number.
Created by Patrick McGoohan, George Markstein
On ITV1
A surreal, philosophically dense interrogation of identity and autonomy, where a man's resistance to dehumanization becomes the entire substance of the show.
After resigning, a secret agent is abducted and taken to what looks like an idyllic village, but is really a bizarre Kafkaesque prison. His warders demand information. He gives them nothing, but only tries to escape.
Where to watch
- StreamPrime Video, fuboTV, The Criterion Channel, Shout! Factory, Night Flight Plus
- FreeKanopy
- AdsPrime Video, Plex, Pluto TV, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon MX Player, Shout! Factory
- BuyAmazon Video
Questions people ask
Is The Prisoner one of a kind? Yes, very. More singular than 99% of series.
Is The Prisoner scary? Yes, very. More frightening than 97% of series.
Is The Prisoner easy watching? No. Less comforting than 94% of series.
Is The Prisoner sad? Yes, very. More sad than 91% of series.
Does The Prisoner leave you hopeful? Barely. Less hopeful than 81% of series.
Is The Prisoner violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Familiar shape, done well.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Everything like The Prisoner, and what each one shares →
Like The Prisoner
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as The Prisoner
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like The Prisoner, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like The Prisoner, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like The Prisoner, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
