Escape at Dannemora is a must-watch crime drama on Netflix in October 2024

If you think "there's nothing to watch on Netflix," then you're just plain incorrect. Over the past year, the streaming service has been delivering not only dozens upon dozens of excellent original series, but Netflix has also been hand-picking a vast variety of small-screen favorites from past and present for our viewing pleasure. And the binge-watching Gods continue to give the goods.

The latest acquired series to make its drop on Netflix is the Emmy Award-nominated crime drama limited series Escape at Dannemora, which made its premiere on Showtime back in November 2018. The series was co-created by Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin, and all eight episodes were directed by Ben Stiller (yes, as in Zoolander, Meet the Parents, Dodgeball Ben Stiller!).

Escape at Dannemora began streaming on Netflix on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and given how much acclaim the series earned the first time around (the series holds an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes), there's no doubt that the series will once again resurge in popularity as fans new and old binge-watch every episode on Netflix. Before you begin watching, here's a bit more info on the show!

Synopsis, cast, and award wins

Based on a true story, Escape at Dannemora borrows its story from the 2015 Clinton Correctional Facility escape, which happened in Upstate New York. The real-life prison worker upon whom the series is based reacted negatively to the show and its depiction of her story, calling Stiller a "son of a b-tch" and telling the New York Post that "the truth doesn't sell."

When a married prison worker named Joyce Mitchell (Patricia Arquette) helps two convicted murderers Richard Matt Benicio del Toro) and David Sweat (Paul Dano) break out from prison, a manhunt begins for their capture. Joyce had also become sexually involved with Richard and David, adding an extra layer to the wild story (though the real Joyce denies this claim).

Take a look at the show's official synopsis via Paramount+ with Showtime:

"Based on a stranger-than-fiction account of the 2015 Clinton Correctional Facility escape, two convicted murderers break out of an upstate New York prison, aided by a married female prison employee -- with whom they both become sexually entangled."

As mentioned above, the true story comes to life with Patricia Arquette in the leading role as Joyce Mitchell as well as Benicio del Toro and Paul Dano in key roles as the convicted murderers who escape from prison. The main cast is fleshed out by Bonnie Hunt, Eric Lange, and David Morse, while a few familiar faces appearing in recurring and guest roles.

Here's the full cast list for Escape at Dannemora:

• Benicio del Toro as Richard Matt
• Patricia Arquette as Joyce "Tilly" Mitchell
• Paul Dano as David Sweat
• Bonnie Hunt as Catherine Leahy Scott
• Eric Lange as Lyle Mitchell
• David Morse as Gene Palmer
• Jeremy Bobb as Dennis Lambert
• Michael Beasley as Murder
• Joshua Rivera as Angel
• Carolyn Mignini as Ilene Mulvaney
• Gregory Dann as Albert Boyd
• Michael Imperioli as Andrew Cuomo
• Charlie Hofheimer as Kenny Barrile Sr.
• Jim Parrack as Kevin Tarsia

As one of the most critically acclaimed shows of 2018, Escape at Dannemora received a number of major award nominations, including 12 nods at the Primetime Emmy Awards. The show was up for top awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, three acting nominations for the series leads, two writing nominations, and a nod for Stiller's directing.

While the series didn't walk away with an Emmy win, it managed to take away some hardware from a few major award ceremonies, including the Critics' Choice Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the Directors Guild Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. An Emmys sweep would have been deserved, but four enviable awards isn't too bad for a fan-favorite limited series.

Check out all the awards the show won below:

• Critics' Choice Awards: Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries: Patricia Arquette
• Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress — Miniseries or Television Film: Patricia Arquette
• Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directing — Miniseries or TV Film: Ben Stiller
• Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie: Patricia Arquette

Watch Escape at Dannemora on Netflix while it's available to stream. The series is also available to watch on Paramount+ with Showtime.