10 Gripping Shows Like Locked Up You Need to Watch

Description: A gritty and intense portrayal of life inside a maximum-security prison, focusing on the brutal realities of incarceration, power struggles, and survival. It was groundbreaking for its unflinching depiction of violence and complex characters.

Fact: Oz was HBO's first one-hour dramatic television series, paving the way for future shows like The Sopranos and The Wire.

Description: A high-stakes drama centered around a man who gets himself imprisoned to help his wrongfully accused brother escape. The series delves into intricate escape plans, prison politics, and survival tactics.

Fact: The show's iconic tattoo map was designed by the series' lead actor, Wentworth Miller. It became a cultural phenomenon and inspired real-life tattoo requests.

Description: A British comedy series that, while not about prison, shares a similar tone of dark humor and awkward social situations. It follows a group of teenage friends navigating the trials of adolescence.

Fact: The show was so popular in the UK that it spawned two successful movies and an American adaptation, though the latter was short-lived.

Description: A crime drama set on the border between the US and Mexico, focusing on the investigation of a serial killer. While not prison-centric, it shares themes of crime, justice, and societal issues.

Fact: The series was a remake of the Swedish/Danish show Bron/Broen and inspired multiple international adaptations.

Description: A brutal and realistic portrayal of organized crime in Naples, Italy, focusing on the power struggles within a mafia clan. The series shares a gritty, unflinching style and themes of survival and loyalty.

Fact: Gomorrah is based on Roberto Saviano's bestselling book, which led to the author receiving death threats from the Camorra, the crime syndicate depicted in the series.

Description: A poignant drama about a man released from death row after 19 years, struggling to reintegrate into society. The series explores themes of justice, redemption, and the lingering effects of incarceration.

Fact: Rectify was the first original series produced by the SundanceTV network and received critical acclaim for its slow-burn storytelling.

Description: This series explores the lives of female inmates in a minimum-security prison, focusing on their personal stories, struggles, and relationships. It blends drama with dark humor, offering a raw and emotional look at the prison system.

Fact: The show was based on Piper Kerman's memoir of the same name, detailing her experiences in a women's prison. It was one of Netflix's first major original series successes.

Description: A gripping crime drama that follows a young man's journey through the criminal justice system after being accused of murder. The series highlights the psychological toll of incarceration and the flaws in the legal system.

Fact: The show was originally developed as a British series called Criminal Justice, but was adapted for an American audience by HBO.

Description: A reality series where civilians volunteer to go undercover as inmates in a real prison to expose issues within the system. It provides an unfiltered look at the challenges and dangers of prison life.

Fact: Participants in the show are not revealed to actual inmates or staff, creating a unique and often tense environment.

Description: Based on a true story, this miniseries chronicles a daring prison escape and the complex relationships between inmates and prison staff. It offers a tense, character-driven narrative set within a high-security facility.

Fact: The real-life escape that inspired the series involved two convicted murderers who used power tools to break out of Clinton Correctional Facility in