A Gritty Descent into London’s Criminal Underworld
🎬 Starring Tom Hardy, Shaun Evans | Based on the novel by Martina Cole
đź“ş British Crime Drama | 4-Part Mini-Series
The Take (2009) is a hard-hitting British crime drama that showcases a raw, riveting performance from Tom Hardy in one of his early breakout roles. Based on the best-selling novel by Martina Cole, this four-part mini-series dives deep into the brutal world of organized crime in London, examining the corrosive effects of ambition, addiction, and betrayal.
Hardy plays Freddie Jackson, a recently released convict with a short fuse and big dreams. Upon returning to the streets, he immediately plunges back into the violent criminal life he left behind, wasting no time in rekindling his ties to London’s underworld. Charismatic yet dangerously unpredictable, Freddie is driven by ego, hunger for power, and deep-seated rage—all of which make him a force that’s as compelling as he is destructive.
In stark contrast stands his cousin Jimmy (Shaun Evans), a quieter, more strategic figure who aims to build a criminal empire through careful planning and controlled ambition. As Jimmy rises, Freddie’s recklessness threatens to drag everything—and everyone—down with him. Their parallel paths set up a riveting clash of ideologies and familial loyalty.
The show doesn’t shy away from the darker elements of its world. Themes of addiction, toxic masculinity, abuse, and self-destruction course through every episode. The emotional toll of Freddie’s choices impacts not just his criminal endeavors, but his wife Jackie and their children, who become collateral damage in his downward spiral.
Set against a bleak, shadow-drenched backdrop of London’s crime-ridden neighborhoods, The Take is as stylish as it is savage. With sharp writing, tense pacing, and standout performances—particularly from Hardy, whose magnetic volatility commands the screen—it delivers a gripping exploration of power, family, and the high cost of loyalty in a world where survival often means betrayal.
