1 of 5 | Left to right, Emun Elliott, Hugh Bonneville and Charlotte Spencer star In “The Gold.” Photo courtesy of Paramount+
NEW YORK, Sept. 17 (UPI) — Scottish screenwriter Neil Forsyth aims to captivate audiences with the extraordinary true story of the Brink’s-Mat heist in both a new miniseries titled “The Gold” and a non-fiction book of the same name. Premiering on Paramount+, the enthralling caper features a cast of talented actors, including Hugh Bonneville, Dominic Cooper, Jack Lowden, Charlotte Spencer, Tom Cullen, Emun Elliott, Sean Harris, Ellora Torchia, Stefanie Martini, Daniel Ings, and Adam Nagaitis.
The series and book unravel the astonishing events surrounding the 1983 break-in at the Brink’s-Mat security depot near London’s Heathrow Airport. Initially intending to steal a quick cash grab, the six armed men unexpectedly stumble upon a fortune in gold bullion worth $32 million. Little did they know that their actions would lead to a global money laundering scheme and ignite the London Docklands property boom.
As Forsyth explains, “The robbery itself is well-known, but the aftermath remains relatively unknown in the United Kingdom. I found this aspect to be intriguing as a writer because I could present a story that viewers haven’t encountered before.” Forsyth, who was just 5 years old when the heist occurred, highlights that the miniseries came first, but as the writing process unfolded, he and his research team discovered an abundance of material that allowed for a more comprehensive account of the Brinks-Mat story than ever before, resulting in the creation of the accompanying book.
In 2023, modern audiences can identify with the themes of desperate individuals taking risks to change their financial circumstances. Forsyth ponders the viewers’ perspective, asking, “If you accidentally steal 3 tons of gold, what do you do next?” He elaborates on the complexity of the characters involved, stating, “This story isn’t just about outright villains; it also involves individuals who started the day as respectable members of society and ended up engaged in a major international criminal conspiracy.”
Given the living individuals and their families still affected by these events, Forsyth felt a strong responsibility to portray the story accurately and with sensitivity. “Respecting the sensitivities of the story and meticulously chronicle the events was paramount,” he emphasizes. To engage viewers, Forsyth ensures that “The Gold” maintains a fast-paced narrative, considering the perspective of tired viewers seeking compelling entertainment. He also interjects humor into the series, believing it to be an essential element of storytelling. Forsyth states, “I find it bewildering when dramas unfold over 10 episodes without a single amusing line. That doesn’t accurately reflect real life. When the pressure is on, people tend to use humor as a coping mechanism, and I allow my characters to do the same.”
One of the most appealing aspects for Forsyth was the opportunity to delve into a recent yet vastly different past. The show is set in the 1980s, a period where investigations relied on traditional police legwork, going door-to-door and asking questions rather than today’s reliance on technology. Forsyth describes the era as “dramatically great” and notes the energy and motivation of the characters from that time period.
The cast members of “The Gold” embraced the twists and turns of the story, recognizing the incredible nature of the true events. Forsyth recalls moments on set where actors approached him, assuming certain scenes were fictionalized, only to be shocked when he assured them of the authenticity. “It’s such a fantastic story,” Forsyth acknowledges. “We’re all fortunate to have the opportunity to bring it to life.”
