Creator of The Capture admits he approaches ever series as if it could be the final installment of the show
Opening up about his writing style, Ben Chanan says he approaches every series of his tech thriller The Capture as though it could be the final installment of the show.
Ben Chanan approaches every series of The Capture as though it could be the final installment of the show.
The 51-year-old creator and writer of the BBC cyber-thriller made the remark while opening up about his writing technique that shapes the high-stakes twists faced by the series’ central characters, including fan-favourite intelligence analyst Isaac Turner, played by Paapa Essiedu, 35.
Ben told the Radio Times: “I always write each season like it might be the last, so just don't hold on to people who have got to go and you may as well enjoy offing them.”
His programme, which first aired in 2019, focuses on surveillance technology, deepfakes and intelligence operations.
The new season begins with the death of Isaac, and continues to follow investigator Rachel Carey, played by Holliday Grainger, 37, as she confronts escalating threats linked to manipulated video and digital misinformation.
Ben added the development of Isaac’s death has a significant impact on Rachel’s story as events unfold.
He said: “Now, what it does for Carey is like the wheels are off… when (certain characters) go, it’s like the wheels spin, she finds it discombobulating.”
Ben also discussed the storyline involving Isaac and hinted the reasons behind the character’s death would become clear later in the series.
He said: “Sorry, there’s no season six.”
Ben added jokingly: “Ever since season one, I’ve been playing the long game. I've written season six – no, I’ve barely written season three.”
The writer also described the challenges involved in putting together a series built around rapidly developing technology, explaining the production must balance realism with speculation about future developments.
He said: “We always try and tread the tightrope between you don't want to be too far advanced that it seems like sci-fi.
“At the same time, you don't want it to be old hat and we have to think ahead.”
Ben said the time required to develop the series can complicate that balance.
He added: “It takes a couple of years to make a series, so even when we start plotting it and start writing it, we've got to think ahead to how people are going to feel in a couple of years’ time and frankly, it's just a bluff. We just go for it and the world either catches up or we're catching up with the world.”
The Capture season three continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, 15 March 2026.
