Two-time Academy Award® nominee Janet McTeer (Damages, The Honourable Woman) stars in this gritty prison drama by acclaimed British crime writer Lynda La Plante (Prime Suspect, The Commander). After a disastrous riot at Barfield Prison, Helen Hewitt (McTeer) helps investigate an inmate's suspicious death. When the governor of Barfield is subsequently ousted, Helen takes the job, becoming the youngest woman in charge of an all-male prison. Determined to clean up the place, she causes resentment among both prisoners and officers with her new ideas and no-nonsense attitude. Despite the odds stacked against her, Helen works tirelessly to earn the respect she deserves. With shocking plots and pointed social commentary, The Governor delivers a brutal, unflinching look at prison life and the challenges that women in power confront. The excellent cast also includes Academy Award® nominee Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda), Eamonn Walker (Chicago Fire, Oz), Derek Martin (EastEnders), Ron Donachie (Game of Thrones), and Golden Globe® winner Idris Elba (Luther, Thor films).
No longer governor of Barfield Prison, Helen holds a researcher position studying hostage and siege procedures in America. But a desperate situation brings Helen back to Barfield. Will Helen's negotiating skills save an officer's life?
Helen heads an investigation into the hostage incident at Barfield Prison. The situation has left Officer Morgan a broken man, and the prison is further rocked by a vote of no confidence in the current governor, Keller.
Now reinstated as governor of Barfield, Helen tries to comfort the prison psychologist, Annette. Snoopy's sentence is extended, although he doesn't remember what he did in a drug-fueled rage. Brathwaite receives a visit from his father.
The officers debate Helen's new regulation recommendations, including taking away inmates' phone card privileges. Rehearsals for the musical continue, but Annette worries her pianist is growing too attached to one of the prisoners.
Helen takes a risk in moving Braithwaite back to an ordinary cell. Officer Morgan is summoned to an inquiry into the hostage situation. Snoopy agrees to be an informer in exchange for transfer out of the protected prisoners' wing.
With Annette indisposed, Helen takes over direction of the musical and hires members of a local dramatic society to help. But Barfield's most violent top-security inmates plan an escape using the performance as a cover-up.
