‘Hard Cell’ Netflix Series: Catherine Tate’s Netflix Mockumentary Is an Odd Throwback

When you think about jail, one of the last things that come to mind is a place where there is a lot of laughter or excitement. Hard Cell, a new television series by Catherine Tate, is attempting to achieve the same goal as previous shows such as Orange Is the New Black (2013 – 2019) and Bad Girls (1999 – 2006), which showed that a group of women in jail can make for very compelling television.

Hard Cell is a documentary-style comedy series set in a fictional women's jail known as HMP Woldsley that premiered on Netflix in 2015. For six weeks, the show follows the staff and prisoners at HMP Woldsley in the United Kingdom.

With each episode, the women develop their interpersonal connections while discovering their unique voices in preparation for a musical production. Catherine Tate is the artist who created Hard Cell. She is also listed as a co-director, with James Kayler, on the film.

Hard Cell
Hard Cell

Alex Carter, Niky Wardley, and Catherine Tate collaborated on the script for the program. Tate also appears in the program as a character who appears in numerous episodes. 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 are among the other stars of the program.

From the release date to the availability of Hard Cell on streaming services, here's everything we know so far about the game.

What Is the Premise of Hard Cell?

Hard Cell
Hard Cell

Hard Cell is a documentary-style comedy set in a fictional female jail, HMP Woldsley, that is set in the 1970s. Catherine Tate is a writer and creator who portrays a variety of roles, including Laura Willis, the Governor who thinks that art leads to rehabilitation, and Big Viv, the psychopath lifer.

This six-week drama follows the convicts as they prepare for a musical production produced by Cheryl Fergison, a former Eastenders actress. Rehearsals bring together a diverse group of women who are discovering their voices, gaining confidence, and strengthening their bonds as they work together.

Hard Cell is a hilarious and unexpectedly emotional comedy that delves into the funny reality of prison life.

Is There a Hard Cell Trailer Available?

On March 25, 2022, Netflix published the official trailer for Hard Cell, which can be seen below. Beginning at HMP Woldsley, where Governor Willis addresses the camera, the trailer moves on to other locations.

She claims that 82 percent of women are imprisoned for non-violent offenses and that the court system is stacked against them to punish them. As she speaks, the convicts' facial expressions vary from perplexity to interest, with one inmate even breaking into a humorous dance in response.

To demonstrate her argument, she approaches a female inmate and inquires as to why she is in jail, anticipating that she has committed a non-violent crime. The convict, on the other hand, claims she's been charged with seven charges of violence and assault.

Governor Willis recognizes she is going to eat her words and turns to another convict for help, hoping for a better response. However, the second inmate informs her that she is about to be a victim of a heist.

Another woman reveals at random that she's in prison because she got into a fight with an Uber driver. After all, he took a long way around, and she ended up stabbing him in the neck and leaving him for dead as a result. A powerless Governor Willis orders the camera operator to just take out all of the films that have been captured thus far.

Following that, we are brought to a scenario where Governor Willis addresses the camera. During her speech, she states that she is attempting to change the way women's prisons are operated.

In her opinion, things such as musicals should be fostered in prisons to foster creativity, a feeling of purpose, and a sense of self-esteem among inmates. We had the opportunity to meet certain convicts.

Hard Cell
Hard Cell

One of them presents herself as a “natural-born performer” who is also quite aggressive and who finds her happy place in the world of song. Others, however, are less enthusiastic, believing that Governor Willis' strategy might backfire completely.

After all, says Governor Willis, “it's all about communicating,” and she institutes an open door policy to encourage this dialogue. In addition, we visit with certain jail authorities. One of them expresses his appreciation for his profession by stating that he gets to interact with all of the ladies that come to stay with him. He also claims that he accepted the position to make a difference.

Governor Willis urges the ladies to dispel some myths, demolish some preconceptions, and just be themselves in their interactions with others. Women will race towards the chance she is creating for them, and they will plunge into its arms, she claims confidently and emphatically.

Throughout the film, we see snippets of the women having a good time and letting them free from prison.

Hard Cell appears to be a thrilling journey based on the trailer, and we can't wait to see it in theatres.

Who Is a Member of the Hard Cell Cast and Crew?

Hard Cell
Hard Cell

Catherine Tate, the star of Hard Cell, has appeared in several comedic series and films during her career. It was from 2004 to 2007 that she created and appeared in The Catherine Tate Show, a BBC sketch comedy that aired 2004 to 2007.

Tate received a slew of accolades for her role on the show. She also had a role as Nellie Bertram on the American version of the mockumentary sitcom The Office, in which she starred in. She first appeared on the program as a recurrent character, and then became a regular character in the show's final seasons.

Hard Cell also features Peter Singh, who has previously appeared in films such as Hampstead (2017) and Alan Partridge (2017), among other projects (2013). Donna Preston also appears as a guest star in the show.

You might remember her from her appearances in The Hitman's Bodyguard and Judwaa 2, both of which were released this year. Some of the other cast members include Lisa Davina Phillip (Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey), Jola Olajide (Power), Stacey Guthrie (Bait), and Cheryl Fergison (EastEnders), Christian Brassington (Jolt), and Duncan Wisbey (Jingle Jangle) (London Road).

Niky Wardley, Alex Carter, and Catherine Tate collaborated on the writing for Hard Cell. In the past, Niky Wardley collaborated with Catherine Tate on her show The Catherine Tate Show. The character of Lisa “Liese” Jackson, Lauren Cooper's best friend, was performed by Wardley on the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Will Hard Cell Be Made Available?

Hard Cell Will Be Published on April 12, 2022, Which Is a Tuesday.

Where Can You Watch Hard Sell Online?

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, you will be able to watch all of the episodes of Hard Cell on Netflix. If you do not already have a Netflix subscription, you may join up for a Basic, Standard, or Premium plan for $9.99 per month, $15.99 per month, or $19.99 per month.

Hard Cell Has a Total of How Many Episodes Is There?

Hard Cell will have six episodes.