Public Enemies, created by award winning writer Tony Marchant, explores the complex relationship between a criminal, recently released from prison and his probation officer. The dramatic, three-part miniseries premieres on Super Channel, Canada’s only national English pay television network, on Thursday May 9 at 8 p.m. ET.
28-year-old Eddie (Daniel Mays) recently released from prison after serving 10 years for murder is attempting to rebuild his life back in society. He struggles to find a life again in a community that doesn’t want him. Probation officer Paula Randall (Anna Friel) is tasked with managing Eddie as he settles back into life on the outside. But Paula has a complicated history of her own and has only recently come back to work after a high-profile suspension in which a shocking crime was committed by an offender under her supervision. Is she up to the task?
Back in his old neighbourhood, Eddie soon breaches the terms of his release and pleads with Paula not to turn him in. But Paula is scared of a repeat of the circumstances that caused her to be suspended in the first place. On top of that, Eddie claims he was innocent of the crime for which he was convicted. Feeling all eyes on her, Paula is acutely aware that she mustn’t make any mistakes in her management of Eddie. But is clamping down on him really the answer? Or will this make an angry young man even angrier?
Public Enemies looks at the probation relationship from the points of view of the ‘offender’ and the ‘gatekeeper.’ It’s about disgraced individuals trying to reclaim their lives and their reputations. The stories of Eddie and Paula are complex, gripping, surprising and incredibly moving, while the writing beautifully and powerfully explores the issue of rehabilitation and whether, as a society, we really believe in it.
Public Enemies airs Thursdays on Super Channel at 8 pm ET (3 episodes x 60 min).
