The prison drama “Wasteman,” recently released on Netflix, was filmed primarily within the walls of Shepton Mallet Prison in Somerset. Since its addition to the streaming platform’s catalogue, it has quickly become the most watched title in the UK, with critics and audiences alike praising it as essential viewing.
The film first saw a limited cinema release earlier this year, where its intense portrayal of prison life attracted some viewers to return for multiple showings. The story centres on Taylor, whose aspirations for a fresh start are challenged sharply by the arrival of his cellmate Dee. As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a brutal attack tests their fragile alliance, forcing Taylor to make a difficult choice between protecting Dee and safeguarding his own chance of parole.
Filmed in 2024, “Wasteman” utilised many of the authentic settings within the former Shepton Mallet Prison, including the Victorian B Wing, cells, recreation areas, and exercise yard. The cast, featuring David Jonsson of “The Long Walk” and Tom Blyth from “The Hunger Games,” have highlighted how the genuine surroundings enhanced the sense of realism in their performances.
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Earlier this year, Jonsson told the BBC: “The film we wanted to make wasn’t a Hollywood version. We felt like we wanted it to feel really true and real.” Blyth added: “Anytime you get to go to a really authentic set, it’s like putting on a good costume. It just adds to that feeling of your imagination being immersed.”
Today, the former correctional facility has been repurposed as a tourist attraction, yet it retains the atmosphere that lent “Wasteman” its palpable tension. The production also worked closely with former inmates through the UK charity Switchback to ensure an honest and authentic depiction of prison life.
Viewers have responded strongly to the film’s impact. One commented: “Really enjoyed this. It was intense from the start and genuinely unpredictable, which kept me hooked the whole way through. The acting was strong and the tension felt real. I just wish it had been longer because it flew by.” Another described it as “gripping, tense and, at times, an uncomfortable watch,” while a further viewer remarked: “Wasteman is sometimes suffocating as it explores the strain of an overcrowded prison but locks you in with its constant sense of dread and looming chaos around every corner. Jonsson and Blyth push the film over the edge of greatness.”
“Wasteman” is now available to stream on Netflix.