Holliday Grainger on The Capture Season 3: Rachel Carey's Leadership, AI Themes, and Deepfake Reality

Holliday Grainger, who portrays Metropolitan Police detective Rachel Carey, opened up about the third season of BBC One’s The Capture in a recent interview with Bleeding Cool. The new season, set to premiere on 8 March 2026, deepens the series’ exploration of artificial intelligence, surveillance, and state‑sanctioned disinformation while thrusting Carey into a high‑stakes leadership role.

Since its debut on BBC One in September 2019, The Capture has followed Carey—a fast‑track detective—through a labyrinth of conspiracy that hinges on real‑time deep‑fake technology and a fictional “Correction” programme that edits live video feeds to fabricate evidence. Produced by Heyday Television under Universal International Studios, the first two seasons introduced audiences to a world where CCTV footage and surveillance tools outpace ordinary citizens. In season 3, the scope expands to the government and military, positioning Carey as Acting Commander of SO15 and placing her at the center of a national debate over privacy, truth, and power.

Grainger explained that her character’s new position forces her to confront moral dilemmas that mirror real‑world concerns about surveillance and state‑controlled misinformation. “With great power comes great responsibility,” she said, noting that the stakes feel higher now that the show’s themes resonate with today’s AI‑driven media landscape. The actress added that the ethical questions she faces in season 3 are not only dramatic but also timely, reflecting the growing public unease over how deep‑fake technology can shape perception.

When asked about the series’ technological evolution, Grainger recalled her shock at the amount of CCTV footage in the first season. “I was shocked, actually, in the first season, how much CCTV there was,” she said. She highlighted how the world has caught up since then: “Now, the world has caught up and more. You can do in your front room what was taking the professionals to do in season one.” The actress described herself as a “Luddite” who does not use social media or AI tools, a detail that underscores her fascination with the very technology that drives the narrative.

Grainger praised creator Ben Chanan for the worldbuilding and scripting that have propelled the series. “I love Ben’s scripts and the world that he creates,” she said. “Across the three seasons, his world has expanded, and the stakes get higher each season.” She noted that her preparation for season 3 differed from earlier seasons; she only knew the overall arc of Carey’s journey, not the specific plot details, which made filming feel investigative and kept her on her toes.

The interview also touched on new and returning cast members. Grainger expressed enthusiasm for working with Killian Scott, who plays Commander Noah Pearson, and for reuniting with Ron Perlman (Frank Napier) and Lia Williams (DSU Gemma Garland). The full season 3 ensemble includes Pappa Essiedu, Ben Miles, Ginny Holder, Nigel Lindsay, Tessa Wong, Indira Varma, Linus Roache, and Andy Nyman.

When questioned about AI’s place in entertainment, Grainger urged the industry to establish clear boundaries. “I think AI is something that we can’t shy away from, but I think at the moment, there are definitely boundaries that we can all personally put in place because now is the time that we’re all rewriting contracts,” she said. Her comments echo a broader conversation among actors, writers, and producers about the ethical use of AI in storytelling and production.

Season 3 of The Capture will air on BBC One and be available on iPlayer from 8 March 2026. The first episode will debut on iPlayer at 6 am, followed by a 9 pm broadcast, with subsequent episodes scheduled weekly. The series is also streaming on Peacock in the United States. Critics have praised the show for its tense narrative and its incisive examination of surveillance, deep‑fakes, and the post‑truth society.

In sum, Grainger’s interview reinforces The Capture’s relevance to contemporary debates over AI, surveillance, and state power. The upcoming season’s release on both BBC One and Peacock marks a milestone for the series’ international reach and its ongoing scrutiny of the ethical challenges posed by modern technology.