‘It was like a spiritual experience’: two TV stars on being handcuffed together in every scene

Tahar Rahim and Izuka Hoyle had only just met when the crew snapped cuffs on their wrists – and made them do roly-polys. The stars of Sky drama Prisoner talk bravery, breast milk and Denzel Washington Few devices in film and television are as enduring as the “odd couple handcuffed together”. Think Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis in The Defiant Ones, or Bob Hoskins sawing cuffs off a cartoon Roger Rabbit. In Prisoner, the odd couple are Amber Todd, a prisoner transport officer played by rising star Izuka Hoyle (Boiling Point, Big Boys) in her first leading role, and Tibor Stone, a contract killer played by French star Tahar Rahim (The Serpent, The Mauritanian). Tahar Rahim and Izuka Hoyle had only just met when the crew snapped cuffs on their wrists – and made them do roly-polys.

The stars of Sky drama Prisoner talk bravery, breast milk and Denzel Washington F ew devices in film and television are as enduring as the “odd couple handcuffed together”. Think Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis in The Defiant Ones, or Bob Hoskins sawing cuffs off a cartoon Roger Rabbit. In Prisoner, the odd couple are Amber Todd, a prisoner transport officer played by rising star Izuka Hoyle (Boiling Point, Big Boys) in her first leading role, and Tibor Stone, a contract killer played by French star Tahar Rahim ( The Serpent , The Mauritanian ). I meet Hoyle and Rahim at a hotel in London, and immediately confess I’m disappointed they’re untethered. “There was no getting-to-know-you dinner, no sit-down,” says Hoyle.

That’s what they made us do!” “We bonded,” Rahim smiles. (“I did suggest that!” Hoyle adds.) But Amber’s rage? “Very good point,” says Rahim, in his low, controlled voice and soft French accent. Rahim is probably the most notable, alongside Léa Seydoux . I see Hoyle listening intently.

“That took time. Trusting my instincts.” Being handcuffed to Tahar Rahim all day certainly helps that education, I say. It was like a spiritual experience.” Rahim looks moved. It’s just not right.” I turn to Hoyle to talk about life off set. But Rahim is staring at me.

I break the silence and turn to Hoyle. She is of mixed heritage, Nige Tahar Rahim and Izuka Hoyle had only just met when the crew snapped cuffs on their wrists – and made them do roly-polys. The stars of Sky drama Prisoner talk bravery, breast milk and Denzel Washington Few devices in film and television are as enduring as the “odd couple handcuffed together”. In Prisoner, the odd couple are Amber Todd, a prisoner transport officer played by rising star Izuka Hoyle (Boiling Point, Big Boys) in her first leading role, and Tibor Stone, a contract killer played by French star Tahar Rahim (The Serpent, The Mauritanian). ‘It was like a spiritual experience’: two TV stars on being handcuffed together in every scene