Monitoring them are a trio of CCTV specialists who watch as a heartwarming scene deteriorates into a heinous crime. The series opens with British soldier named Shawn Michael Emery played by Callum Turner standing trial for the murder of an unarmed, gravely wounded Afghan man who Shawn claims was an armed Taliban insurgent.
With the help of his barrister, Hannah Roberts Laura Haddock , Shawn is exonerated after she proves the incriminating footage depicting the murder as faultyβthe sound and video were out of sync. Later, while out celebrating his newfound freedom, Shawn is caught on CCTV footage assaulting, and possibly murdering Roberts.
What at first seems like an open-and-shut case soon evolves into a twisty exploration of PTSD and surveillance-state malfeasance. During this winding pursuit of the truth, Carey is surrounded by shadowy figures: her already-married lover Commander Danny Hart Ben Miles , warns Carey against looking too deep; DSU Gemma Garland Lia Williams , displaying big Emma Thompson energy alters her against crossing boundaries, and undermines her investigation at every turn.
There are also secret American operatives in safe houses, one played by Ron Perlman , and gung-ho activists, too. Described by his ex-girlfriend as difficult, angry, insecure, jealous, and drunk, Carey initially believes Shawn might suffer from PTSD.
Turner provides an inspired, provocative performance, especially when he portrays Shawn witnessing the footage of him attacking Roberts, or of his friend being tortured. Grainger gives a quiet harrowing turn in every episode. The theme opens questions surrounding digital face-mapping techniques and the surveillance state. In tightly edited sequences, Chanan portrays much of the action by way of characters watching screens from security cams.
