It stars Benicio del Toro, Patricia Arquette, Paul Dano, Bonnie Hunt, Eric Lange, and David Morse.

The breakout sparked a massive manhunt for two convicted murderers, Richard Matt and David Sweat, who were aided in their escape by Joyce "Tilly" Mitchell, a married prison employee entangled in secretive and inappropriate relationships with both men.

The district attorney questions her, pushing Tilly to reveal the full extent of her relationships with the two inmates, insisting the truth is already known and simply needs to be put on record.

Early in the first episode, it’s revealed that Tilly is having a sexual relationship with Sweat, conducted in secret within the machine room of the tailor shop.

The relationship, however, is not as clandestine as Tilly believes—most of the other inmates in the shop are well aware of what’s going on, setting the series up for the complex power dynamics and manipulations that drive the story forward.

The website's critical consensus reads, "Escape at Dannemora's slow pace demands patience, but those willing to wait will be rewarded with a chilling mystery that provides the perfect showcase for its talented cast — especially a nearly unrecognizable and unbearably moving performance from Patricia Arquette.