Encore, part of the Starz network of premium cable movie channels is airing a four part drama called “The Take”. Originally shown on Britain’s Sky TV, it stars Tom Hardy, Brian Cox (next up in Ralph Fiennes’ Coriolanus) and Shaun Evans and will begin Friday December 2 at 9pm EST.

The official synopsis: An exciting and uncompromising four-part adaptation of the best-selling crime thriller by Martina Cole, “The Take” stars Tom Hardy as Freddie Jackson, and Brian Cox as Ozzy. Freddie is a free man after spending a considerable stretch in prison, and now he plans to take the underworld by storm. As events unfold, his wife Jackie (Kierston Wareing – the clueless mother in Fish Tank, Caroline in season 2 of “Luther”) becomes increasingly unstable, not helped by the actions of her younger sister, Maggie (Charlotte Riley –Hardy’s fiancé. They met when she played Cathy to his Heathcliffe also in ‘09), who is in love with Freddie's cousin, Jimmy (Evans – Boy A). If you are a Jackson then you trust no one, because everyone in this criminal world is on “The Take.” 

The action takes place over a 10 year period, beginning in 1984. At the center, the dynamic between Jimmy and Freddie is similar to De Niro and Pesci in Goodfellas or Casino. Jimmy tries to get down to serious business while Freddie jeopardizes the whole operation by flying into random and blind violent rages, doing drugs, and womanizing, but Jimmy is loyal to Freddie to a fault. Eventually, Freddie grows so out of control that big boss Ozzy grows tired of him, setting up a showdown between the two friends. “The Take” is filled with gangsters, violence, double-crosses, (‘scuse me, I need a moment…), betrayals, and drug abuse. There’s really nothing original in this set-up, but as I always maintain, there’s nothing new under the sun and it’s all about the delivery.  And it’s got Tom Hardy… early Christmas present, yeah?

Check out the pics then check out the show or I’ll sic Freddie on yer arse.