BBC series Inside Men starring Steven Mackintosh

Told entirely from their perspective, Inside Men is the story of three employees of a security depot who plan and execute a multi-million pound cash heist, written by Tony Basgallop (Worried About The Boy, Hughie Green, Most Sincerely) and produced by BBC Drama Production for BBC One.

This new four-part drama serial stars Steven Mackintosh (Camelot, Luther) as John, manager of the cash counting house and entrenched in a humdrum normality. Joining him in the robbery is depot security guard Chris, played by Ashley Walters (Outcasts, Five Days), and forklift driver Marcus, played by Warren Brown (Luther, Single Father).

Honest men?

They are not seasoned criminals. Our protagonists are honest, hard-working men who see an opportunity, weigh up the risks, and take a leap. Inside Men is a study of how men behave when they step out of their comfort zones, and focuses on what it takes to cross that moral line, what it means for our characters to risk their freedom, and the resulting fallout on their individual consciences.

Each has a reason

Each have their reason for doing the job – John realises that the only way to change his life is to start taking risks, and a risk this big would mean a massive change. Chris is lonely. The only significant woman in his life is his alcoholic mother, until he meets 17-year-old Polish immigrant Dita. For him, the money could help make their lives better, but is he prepared to take the risk of losing everything?

Five years ago Marcus borrowed everything he could from friends and family to invest in a hairdressing salon, and lost the lot. By involving wife Gina, played by Kierston Wareing (The Shadow Line, The Runaway), the two of them take pleasure in executing their part in the plan while dreaming of the carefree life that lies ahead.

Writer’s comments

Tony Basgallop says: "Inside Men is the story of an old-school cash robbery but with the 'geezer' element removed. It's a study in what it takes for a modern man to step up, assert himself, and have the courage to take something by force. How do you go from being a beta male to an alpha male, and what are the implications on your everyday life?"

Production

Ben Stephenson says: "Tony Basgallop's Inside Men centres around four very ordinary characters and a multi-million pound cash heist. The fine cast played by Steven, Warren, Ashley and Kierston reveal what motivates them in a thrilling BBC One story about power and greed in society today."

BBC executive producer is Hilary Salmon (Silk, Five Days, Criminal Justice), and BBC producer is Colin Wratten (Waking The Dead, The Turn Of The Screw). The director is James Kent (Marchlands, The Secret Diaries Of Miss Anne Lister).

The 4x60 minute drama being filmed in Bristol is part of a raft of commissions by BBC One Controller, Danny Cohen, and drama commissioner, Ben Stephenson, which demonstrates a bigger commitment to original British drama than any other broadcaster in this country.

BBC series Inside Men starring Steven Mackintosh

Three employees of a security depot decide to rob it

Starring Steven Mackintosh, Ashley Walters and Warren Brown.

The DVD for this series will be released once it has aired.

Photograph shows Steven Mackintosh in character as John from BBC1's drama series Inside Men