If you’ve stumbled on Deadlock after seeing clips of its tense, small-town crime plot pop up on your social feeds, you’re not alone. The gritty Australian series has built a massive global fanbase over the past few years, thanks to its sharp writing and raw, realistic performances from its young cast. It tackles heavy, relatable themes like teen grief, small-town corruption, and the pressure to keep secrets for people you love, which makes it easy to get hooked after just one episode. The first question almost every new viewer asks before hitting play is how many episodes are in Deadlock, so they can plan their binge schedule accordingly. I’ve spent months digging through all the different releases, regional cuts, and bonus content to give you the most accurate answer possible, no conflicting info from random forum threads included.
How Many Episodes Are In Deadlock: Official Count by Release Version
The short answer is that the episode count changes depending on which version of the show you’re watching. Different streaming platforms, regional broadcasters, and physical media releases have edited the series slightly to fit their own content guidelines and scheduling needs, so you’ll see different counts depending on where you access the show. I’ve cross-referenced info from the show’s production team, official broadcaster statements, and fan community records to compile the most accurate counts for every available version.
If you’re looking for the original, creator-intended experience, the core series has a fixed count that’s recognized as the official version by the writing and directing team. Other cuts add extra episodes by splitting longer original segments or adding supplementary content, but none of these change the core story arc of the show. The official standard episode count for the core Deadlock series is 6, each running roughly 45 minutes without ads, if you want to watch the show exactly as the creators intended.
To make it easier to know what you’re getting, here’s a breakdown of official episode counts for every widely available release:
- Original Australian broadcast version: 6 standard episodes, 45 minutes each, aired on ABC in its original run with no cuts to the core plot
- International streaming cut: 7 episodes, with the original 90-minute opening premiere split into two 45-minute segments to fit global platform content slot guidelines
- Limited edition Blu-ray release: 8 total episodes, including 2 previously unreleased 20-minute behind-the-scenes bonus episodes that follow production of the series and include deleted scenes cut for broadcast
- Official companion podcast series: 12 additional episodes that dive deeper into character backstories not shown on screen, with voice acting from the original cast
Most global viewers will be watching the 7-episode international streaming cut, since that’s the version available on major platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer outside of Australia. The split opening episode doesn’t change any plot details, so you won’t miss anything if you watch this version instead of the original 6-episode cut.
Key Differences Between Standard and Extended Deadlock Episode Cuts
You might be wondering if the extra episodes in the streaming or Blu-ray cuts add anything important to the story, or if you should seek out a specific version to get the full experience. I’ve watched both the original Australian broadcast cut and the international streaming cut multiple times, and the differences are minor for casual viewers, but noticeable for long-time fans. The streaming cut adds roughly 10 minutes of extra footage across all episodes, mostly small character interaction scenes that were cut for time in the original broadcast.
One of the most notable extra scenes in the streaming cut is a quiet moment between the lead character, Tara, and her dad in the third episode, where they talk about her brother’s death months before the central crash that kicks off the show. A lot of fans say this scene makes Tara’s anger and distrust of local police later in the series feel much more earned, and they wish it had been included in the original broadcast. That said, the scene doesn’t add any new plot details, so you won’t be confused if you don’t see it.
The extended streaming cut is not considered canon by the show's creators, so if you’re planning to discuss the show with long-time fans or join fan theory discussions, you might notice small differences in what people reference. The creators have stated that the original 6-episode cut is the definitive version, and the extra scenes in the streaming cut were added by the platform without their input. The Blu-ray bonus episodes are considered official supplementary content, but they don’t change any events of the core series, so you don’t have to track them down to understand the ending.
What to Expect From Each Episode Arc of Deadlock
One of the best things about Deadlock is that it never drags on with unnecessary filler episodes, which is a common complaint for a lot of modern crime dramas. Every episode moves the central mystery forward, and every scene serves a purpose for either the plot or character development. You won’t find any random side plots that go nowhere, which makes it perfect for a quick weekend binge.
The first two episodes set up the central mystery: a fatal car crash that kills three teen residents of a small coastal Australian town, leaving one survivor who can’t remember what happened. The local police write it off as a drunk driving accident, but the victim’s friends start to notice inconsistencies in the official story, and they dig into the town’s secrets to find out what really happened. The middle two episodes dig into the lies that almost every adult in the town is telling, from hidden drug operations to cover-ups of past crimes that tie directly to the crash.
The final two episodes wrap up the mystery and explore the aftermath for the surviving characters, with a finale that doesn’t rely on cheap twists or unrealistic resolutions. Every plot thread gets a satisfying, realistic conclusion, and the show doesn’t pull punches when it comes to showing the long-term impact of the crash on the whole town. You don't need to watch the companion podcast episodes to follow the main plot, but they are a fun addition if you finish the show and want more content about the characters’ lives before the crash.
I binged the whole series for the first time on a rainy Saturday last year, and I didn’t regret staying up until 2AM to finish it. The cliffhangers at the end of every episode make it almost impossible to stop watching, and I found myself thinking about the ending for days after I finished. It’s not a light, easy watch by any means, but it’s one of the most well-written crime dramas I’ve seen in years.
How to Watch All Deadlock Episodes in the Correct Order
A common mistake new viewers make is watching the bonus content first, or watching the episodes in the wrong order because some platforms mislabel the different cuts. If you want to get the full experience without spoilers, there’s a simple viewing order that works for both casual viewers and super fans. The correct viewing order starts with the original broadcast episodes first, whether you watch the 6-episode original cut or the 7-episode streaming cut, because both tell the full core story without any spoilers for supplementary content.
After you finish the core series, you can watch the two Blu-ray bonus behind-the-scenes episodes if you want to see how the show was made, and watch the deleted scenes that were cut for broadcast. These bonus episodes have a lot of behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the cast and crew, and they explain how the writers came up with the central mystery based on real small-town crime stories in Australia. The companion podcast episodes are the last thing you should watch, since they reference events from the entire series and dive into character backstories that would spoil the mystery if you listen too early.
If you’re watching the show with friends, make sure you all agree on which cut you’re watching first, so you don’t end up with people referencing scenes that others haven’t seen. A lot of viewers also recommend avoiding fan forums or social media hashtags for the show until you finish the whole series, since spoilers are really common in fan discussions. Bonus content should only be watched after you finish the core series, unless you don’t mind having key plot points spoiled for you.
No matter which cut of the show you choose to watch, Deadlock is a tight, gripping series that doesn’t waste any of your time. The answer to how many episodes are in Deadlock depends on which version you’re accessing, but the core 6 (or 7, for streaming) episodes are more than enough to tell a complete, satisfying story that sticks with you long after the credits roll. If you’re looking for a short, well-written crime drama that doesn’t rely on cheap gimmicks, it’s definitely worth adding to your watch list. I rewatch it at least once a year, and I still pick up on small details I missed the first time around, so it’s worth the time investment no matter how many episodes you end up watching.