Give this a try, it’s very enjoyable, and so true to life. It’s two seasons and they are great

Excellent Series. Could not put it down.

Very well made & interesting material on British prisoners.

Really good

Very well written show about how several family members who lead ordinary lives end up sharing common ground through their relationships with loved ones who ends up in prison. This show manages to do what even the reality genre typically fails to accomplish, and that is to show that prison wives and mothers are as normal as anyone else. My only complaint is that it wasn't a longer running series. A common theme throughout the series was the people visiting for the first time, and a fellow visitor comforts them during the daunting check-in process "it gets easier" , only to find themselves similarly reassuring someone later down the road in turn. These people and situations are highly relatable and this show does a very good job of demonstrating that there really is no "us" and " them" regarding this situation because it could happen to virtually anyone, and the people that it does happen to are just like anyone else.

Prisoners' Wives Complete Collection. This BBC television serial, a crime drama, is for fans of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK. As written by Julie Geary, (SECRET DIARY OF A CALLGIRL, CORONATION STREET), the production examines what happens when a criminal goes to prison, which is, of course, only the start of the story for the women in the criminal’s life. This engrossing drama, in several interweaving storylines, follows the wives, girlfriends, daughters, mothers who are left behind to show up on visitors’ days. In Series 1 of this complete collection, heavily pregnant Gemma’s (Emma Rigby, ENDLESS LOVE) perfect life falls apart when her husband (Jonas Armstrong, ROBIN HOOD) is arrested for murder. She finds herself becoming part of a strange sorority including glamorous Francesca (Polly Walker, ROME, CAPRICA), wife of career criminal Paul (Iain Glen, one of the few actors to star in both GAME OF THRONES, DOWNTON ABBEY); struggling young mother Lou (Natalie Gavin, THE SYNDICATE); respectable widow Harriet (Pippa Haywood, MR. SELFRIDGE). In Series 2, Francesca and Harriet are joined by bride-to-be Aisling (Karla Crome, UNDER THE DOME) who hopes her father will get out of jail in time to walk her down the aisle; and by mother-of-three Kim (Sally Carman, SHAMELESS), who is working to try to prove her husband’s innocence of career-ending charges.

The series is set in Yorkshire’s Sheffield, a town not often seen on film: last picture I can remember that was set there is a big favorite of mine, THE FULL MONTY. And I swear I recognize a certain bench on a hill overlooking the city, which is lovely from this point of view. It is a character-driven ensemble piece, in which all the characters are well-developed, none clichéd. It is intelligently written, well-acted, with a quiet humor. As Francesca and Paul, Walker and Glen carry it, but are supported by a strong featured cast, including David Bradley,(the Harry Potter films, GAME OF THRONES), Adam Gillen, (OLIVER TWIST), Adrian Rawlins,( the Harry Potter films), Anne Reid,(CORONATION STREET), as Margaret, Paul’s accountant, and Nicola Walker , (so superb in LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX, SCOTT AND BAILEY, also(MI-5)). The episodes are:

Series 1:
Episode 1. Lovely, naïve Gemma thinks she has the perfect life: beautiful home, doting husband, baby on the way. But her world comes crashing down when her husband, Steve, is arrested for murder. At her first visit to the prison, Gemma meets glamorous Francesca, wife of career criminal Paul, and desperate, drug-dealing Lou, who is bringing her seven-year-old son to visit his father for the first time.
Episode 2. She needs money and all it can buy after her house, car, etc. are seized as fruits of criminal enterprise; Francesca takes a job as a hospital cleaner, finds herself enjoying her new independence, the company of her coworker, Lukasz. Gemma takes action to clear Steve's name; middle-class mother Harriet tries to visit her unpleasant son, Gavin, played by Adam Gillen.
Episode 3. Gavin is beaten and threatened by inmates; Harriet considers doing the unthinkable to save him. Francesca and her children move in with her father Frank, played by David Bradley. After their eviction, Gemma uncovers disturbing details about Steve's business that make her question their whole relationship.
Episode 4. Harriet and Gavin start to reconcile, even as Francesca and Paul grow farther apart. Gemma hides her cooperation with the police from Steve; Lou's supplier, Tapper, uses her son Mason in a drug-dealing scheme that leads to disastrous consequences for her.
Episode 5. Lou, who is out on bail, stays at Harriet's house, but the women quickly clash. During Family Day at the prison, Steve begins to suspect that Gemma is talking to the police; Lou breaks the news to boyfriend/husband—never made clear --Sean about what happened; Paul and Francesca scandalize the prison with a romantic interlude; Gavin gets annoyed that his mother seems more interested in Lou than in him.
Episode 6. Sean is released from prison; moves in with Harriet, Lou, and Mason. Harriet and Gavin start to try to mend their relationship; Francesca has an opportunity to earn some money from a drug deal. Gemma enters witness protection when Andy, her husband’s partner threatens her, reveals the truth about Steve.

Series 2
Episode 1. After being forced to flee a house fire set by one of Paul's rivals, Francesca also must contend with her husband's request to facilitate an underworld business transaction. Paul's runner Brendan hopes to get out of jail in time for the wedding of his daughter, Aisling. Harriet begins dating Ian, prison chaplain; Kim is distraught when her husband, Mick, is charged with sexual assault of a minor, a boy who lives next door to them with a socially unacceptable family.
Episode 2. Kim looks for evidence to prove Mick's innocence; Francesca starts a car-cleaning business as a front for Paul's illegal activities, despite DCI Fontaine's ongoing investigation into the death of Chris, one of Paul’s major rivals. Aisling rekindles her friendship with Francesca's son, Matt; Harriet invites Ian over for a romantic dinner.
Episode 3. Her father Frank confronts Francesca about items her daughter Lauren has found hidden in the house; he visits Paul in prison for the first time. Seriously ailing Brendan is taken to hospital; Aisling abandons the perfect facade she has kept up for so long for her fiancé’s family to see her father. Mick learns of Kim's affair, Kim struggles to control the children as they start acting out.
Episode 4. Francesca is released on bail; DCI Fontaine, played by Nicola Walker, warns her that her family could be in danger. Gavin is charged for attacking Ian; Harriet must make a difficult decision. Mick has mixed feelings about returning home, Aisling pursues relationship with Matt.

The box set, which I received as a review copy, consists of four DVDs containing 10 episodes for approximately 608 minutes. It offers subtitles, thank goodness, for those of us unfamiliar with Sheffield accents. And it contains violence, coarse language, nudity and sexual situations, not for children or the sensitive. This is a thrusting, gripping gritty drama that begins strong and ends with a bang. Each episode is centered on one of the main women, shows what she has to do to get by without her man; the way the women cooperate and help each other is moving. Of course, I love a female-centered drama, which this is, but my husband loved it too, and we binge-watched it as best our lives allowed. Recommended.

One of the best written and acted crime dramas of recent years. A fresh approach to crime series. What is it like for the wives of men locked up? Every couple in “Prisoners Wives” has their own unique story and relationship. Abundant seasoned actors tell tales depicting all the emotion of life on the other side of normal. To what lengths will a wife/mother go? The prisoners’ wives reach out to each other for vital support, a sorority of need. Worthy viewing. Stories overlap and continue from one episode to the next. Believable acting & well written situations of desperate lives looking for any glimmer of hope in their darkest hours.

Cast with pairs: Harriet (Pippa Haywood –‘Mr Selfridge’) mom of Gavin. Francesca Miller (Polly Walker -‘Mr Selfridge’) and Paul (Iain Glen –‘Downton Abbey’), dad Frank (David Bradley –‘Harry Potter’). Chaplin Ian (Adrian Rawlins –‘Harry Potter’). Gemma (Emma Rigby) and Steve (Jonas Armstrong). Lou Bell (Natalie Gavin) and Sean (Reuben Johnson). Kim (Sally Carman) and Mick (Enzo Cilenti). Aisling (Karla Crome) and dad Brendan (Owen Roe). And even more stars and fine performances.

SDH SUBTITLES for all episodes of both seasons.
==#==Season 1. Episode 1 ==Gemma's charmed life capsizes when husband Steve’s arrested for murder, held in Highcross Prison. Family Visiting Day she meets classy Francesca, wife of Paul, plus drug dealing Lou, wife of Sean and mother of Mason, age 7. During investigations Gemma’s faith in Steve is compromised.
==1.2 ==Fran’s posh foreclosed house is confiscated forcing her into a cleaning job. Gemma takes supportive action. Lou and Sean’s relationship is revealing. Widow, naive, embarrassed Harriet finally visits son Gavin.
==1.3 ==Fran and kids move in with her dad, Frank. Harriet offers a confession and her son is beaten inside. What will she do to protect him?
==1.4 ==Gemma narks. Paul tricks Fran/ Harriet and son Gavin pull closer. Lad Mason sees reality and experiences crime. A tipsy turvy world for Prisoners Wives and viewers.
==1.5 ==Lou makes bail and houses with Harriet. Sean & Gavin aren’t happy on the inside. Steve’s partner makes bail which distresses Gemma with good reason.
==1.6 ==Sean’s release precedes Lou’s sentence. Harriet houses them while dating. Gavin finds religion. Fran makes a bad change. Gemma’s change is for protection. This episode turns thriller.
==#==Season 2. Episode 1 ==Fran assistance with Paul’s deals turn to disaster. Gangland rivalry investigated by DCI Fontaine (Nicola Walker –‘Last Tango in Halifax’ ‘MI-5’) through 4 episodes. Paul’s runner, Brendan, nears his release allowing him to attend wedding of daughter Aisling. Kim’s husband, Mick, gets arrested for child sexual-assault. Two new season 2 story plots.
==2.2 ==Kim looks for evidence and talks to the child victim with negative result. Two prisoner kids get friendly. Fran works in Paul’s new car wash with accountant Margaret (Anne Reid –‘Last Tango in Halifax’ ‘Bleak House’ ‘Upstairs Downstairs’) in the second season. Harriet and Prison Chaplain Ian’s relationship deepens.
==2.3 ==Fran’s dad questions her and Paul about a discovery in their house. Mick learns of an affair. Death among prisoners.
==2.4 ==Mick is released after new developments but does he have a home to go to? Harriet’s son charged again and rejects her visits. Fran’s family world erupts, leaving viewers “scared straight.” Not a feel-good series, but certainly one you will not forget for a long time.

Everyone raves about Orange is the New Black but fans of that show really need to see this series, which showcases superior writing(Julie Geary of Coronation Street, proves she's brilliant once again), smart plots, exceptional acting. This is a quirky character-driven drama that will have you watching "just one more episode" then another, and another. Acorn's two-season complete collection introduces the women left behind when crimes have sent the men in their lives behind bars. Interwoven storylines show how the spouses, mothers, daughters and girlfriends fare as they struggle to sweep up the mess and move forward. Emma Rigby, Polly Walker, Pippa Hayward and Natalie Gavin are the stars of the first season, and Sally Carman and Karla Crome join Haywood and Walker in Season 2. All give strong performances as they unravel the reality of membership in this odd little circle where, unlike a book club or quilting guild, their only commonality is that of being a connection to a jailed male. The 10-episode set chronicles their efforts to live their own lives while wondering about a post-prison future. Addictive and highly watchable, this series will have you rooting for the women and realizing their strength.