Sophie Turner, known for her iconic role inGame of Thronesand her portrayal of powerful characters, found her latest project surprisingly liberating. She steps into the role of Zara, an ordinary office worker thrust into an extraordinary and terrifying situation in the new heist thriller,Steal.
The six-episode series centers around a daring robbery that forces Zara and her friend to execute a dangerous plan: stealing billions of pounds from people’s pensions under the threat of violence. Turner described the experience as both “stressful” and “very freeing,” a testament to the character’s unpredictable nature and the high-stakes narrative.
What initially drew Turner to the script was the remarkable authenticity of the characters. They weren’t simply heroes or villains, but complex individuals with shades of grey, reflecting the messy realities of human behavior. This nuance, she explained, is what truly captivated her from the very beginning.
“They’re all so grey,” Turner shared. “I think it makes the series more exciting because it does feel real. They’re all very unpredictable… that’s what kept me hooked reading it – what these guys are going to do.” Zara, in particular, allowed Turner to explore a more impulsive and unrestrained side of herself.
Archie Madekwe, who plays Zara’s friend Luke, found his role equally demanding. He described the emotional intensity of the scenes as “overwhelming,” constantly portraying a character consumed by panic and fear. The physical demands of the role, with constant running and heightened anxiety, proved to be exhausting.
However, Madekwe also highlighted the intricate layers of the story, emphasizing how deeply intertwined the characters’ fates become. The narrative is a tightly woven knot of secrets and desperate attempts to rectify a rapidly escalating situation, creating a compelling and deeply human drama.
Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, portraying DCI Rhys, a detective battling a personal gambling addiction, immersed himself in research for the role. He consulted with both a former detective specializing in murder investigations and a professional poker player to fully understand the complexities of his character’s internal struggles and professional life.
Fortune-Lloyd was particularly drawn to the fact that his character wasn’t a stereotypical police officer. The addition of a poker addiction and a Romanian heritage added depth and nuance, providing a compelling motivation for Rhys’s relentless drive to prove himself. He ultimately found playing a “ruthless, cold, calculated” character “very cool.”
One of the biggest challenges for the entire cast was mastering the specialized language of fraud and police procedure. Translating these complex terms into believable dialogue required dedication and precision, ensuring the authenticity of the high-stakes world they inhabited.
Stealpromises a gripping and unpredictable ride, exploring the dark underbelly of desperation and the lengths people will go to when pushed to the brink. It’s a story of flawed characters, impossible choices, and the enduring power of human connection in the face of overwhelming odds.
