Sophie Turner, known for her iconic role inGame of Thronesand her portrayal of powerful characters, found herself surprisingly liberated by her latest venture: a high-stakes heist thriller calledSteal. Despite the inherent stress of the role, she describes it as a uniquely freeing experience, a chance to explore a character unbound by expectation.
The series plunges viewers into a world of desperate measures and impossible choices. Zara, played by Turner, is an ordinary office worker whose life is irrevocably altered when a violent gang targets her workplace. She, along with her best friend, are forced into a terrifying game – stealing billions of pounds from people’s pensions under duress.
Before its release, the cast – including Archie Madekwe and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd – shared insights into the gripping narrative. The story isn’t simply about a heist; it’s a complex exploration of human nature, where motivations are blurred and no one is entirely innocent.
Turner was immediately captivated by the script’s authenticity. She found the characters remarkably grounded, reflecting the multifaceted reality of people and rejecting simplistic portrayals of good versus evil. “It’s like they’re all so grey,” she explained, “and I think it makes the series more exciting because it does feel real.”
Zara herself proved to be a compelling challenge for Turner. A character defined by her unpredictability and willingness to take risks, Zara’s impulsive nature resonated with the actress. “She just kind of falls to the wall,” Turner said, “and I really liked that about her. So she was fun for me.”
For Madekwe, embodying Zara’s friend, Luke, was an emotionally demanding experience. The role required him to portray a constant state of panic and desperation, a relentless cycle of fear that proved physically and emotionally draining. “He’s constantly crying, understandably,” Madekwe admitted, “I would be.”
The narrative’s intricate web of secrets and consequences also deeply impressed the cast. Madekwe described the story as “so tied up in a knot,” highlighting the characters’ desperate attempts to unravel the chaos they’ve created. This complexity, he believes, is what makes the series so profoundly human and relatable.
Fortune-Lloyd, who plays DCI Rhys, a detective battling a personal struggle with gambling addiction, immersed himself in research for the role. He consulted with former detectives and professional poker players, seeking to understand the nuances of both worlds and bring authenticity to his portrayal.
He was particularly drawn to the character’s depth, appreciating that Rhys wasn’t a stereotypical police officer. His Romanian heritage and the driving force behind his ambition added layers of complexity, offering a compelling exploration of identity and motivation.
Ultimately, the cast found themselves navigating a world of intricate fraud terminology and police jargon. Mastering this specialized language proved to be a significant challenge, requiring them to convincingly deliver dialogue that felt both authentic and compelling. The result is a thriller poised to grip audiences from the very beginning.
