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If you love a good British drama with some emotional weight behind it, The Outcast might be your next binge. It originally aired on the BBC back in 2015, but for whatever reason, it never made its way to American streaming until now. It’s only two episodes, but it’s the kind of series that sticks with you — and now you can stream it on BritBox! Here's what to know!
Scroll to find out everything you need to know about The Outcast on BritBox!
What is 'The Outcast' about?
BBC
The story is based on Sadie Jones’ bestselling novel and centers on Lewis Aldridge, a boy who loses his mother at a young age and never really recovers from it. The show follows him as he returns home from boarding school, trying to adjust to life in a post-World War II English town that expects everyone, especially men, to keep their emotions to themselves.
Everyone in this story is acting like everything’s fine, but underneath it all, nothing really is. That’s kind of the point. It shows how people, especially during that time period, were expected to just keep going and not discuss anything real.
BBC
The pacing is pretty slow, but in a good way. It doesn’t attempt to rush anything or throw in random plot twists. It’s more about the atmosphere and the emotions that slowly build over time. At first, it all feels very proper and put-together, but the longer you watch, the more you realize how much everyone’s struggling under the surface. It really captures that feeling of being disconnected, even when you’re surrounded by people.
Visually, the show is low-key but really well done. The 1950s setting feels real without being overly glossy. The clothes, the houses, the way people talk—it all just feels right for the time without trying too hard. It sets the tone in this quiet, heavy way that works really well with the story. The costume design, especially, helps set the tone, tailored, proper, and emotionally distant, which kind of says everything about the world these characters are living in.
Who's in the cast of 'The Outcast'?
BBC
George MacKay, who you might know from 1917 or Captain Fantastic, plays the older version of Lewis. He’s really solid in the role, quiet but intense. You can feel how all the stuff he’s been through is just sitting there, building up until it finally breaks. Jessica Brown Findlay, aka Lady Sybil from Downton Abbey, plays Kit, Lewis’s childhood friend. She’s one of the only characters who does not look away from his pain. Her character brings this calm, steady energy that helps cut through all the tension around him.
The cast breakdown includes:
- George MacKay (1917, Ophelia)
- Hattie Morahan (The Gilded Age, Fool Me Once)
- Finn Elliot (The Last Kingdom, The Crown)
- Greg Wise (The Buccaneers, The Crown)
- Nathaniel Parker (The Last Duel, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries)
- Helen Bradbury (Sherlock, Upstairs Downstairs)
- Tom Knight (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)
- Abigail Cruttenden (The Marlow Murder Club, The Theory of Everything)
- Jessica Barden (Dune: Prophecy, Far From The Maddening Crowd)
How many episodes does 'The Outcast' have?
BBC
Even though it’s only two episodes, The Outcast tells a full, emotionally layered story that doesn’t feel rushed. If you like period dramas that dig into darker themes and aren’t afraid to sit with uncomfortable emotions, this one’s definitely worth watching. It’s not flashy, but it hits deep.
Where can I watch 'The Outcast'?
BBC
The Outcast is streaming on BritBox!
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