Gentleman Thief (BBC-1 2001, Nigel Havers, Michael French)

Crime drama Gentleman Thief was something of a misfire in it’s attempt to revive E.W. Hornungs Raffles character it saw the gentleman thief getting involved in a murder plot after stealing a giant ruby.

Clearly a pilot for a proposed series which never emerged it played fast and loose with the character of Raffles updating the time period slightly and getting rid of the dependable but somewhat silly Bunny Manders and bringing in a new character called Ellis McBride.

production details
cast
NIGEL HAVERS as AJ Raffles
MICHAEL FRENCH as Ellis Bride
MADELEINE WORRALL as Mags
JOHN SHRAPNEL as Monty Sinclair
FRANCES BARBER as Julia Sinclair
DAVE HILL as Frank Banning
JOHN MILLS as Arthur Rosehip
TIM BARLOW as Benjamin Crook
ANNETTE BADLAND as Mrs Pinkton
MATTHEW GRAHAM as Executioner
HARRY EDEN as Davie Barnett
NIKKI SNODE as Paper Vendor
FRANCIS CRAMPSIE as Prison Guard
JONATHAN LINSLEY as East End Brute
JONATHAN OLIVER as Priest
DANIEL FENTON as Painist at Omega
DOMINIC COOPER as PC Merrifield

crew
Writer: Matthew Graham
Director: Justin Hardy

UK / BBC One / 1×60 minutes / Broadcast 24 June 2001 at 9.00pm