Clive Owen is the lead character in this British drama series that aired originally from 1990 to 1991 and launched his career. I have to admit that it seems at bit dated now, mostly because of the clothes, although I’m sure at the time it was very cutting edge. It helps that it is such wonderful quality and that the story lines hold up so well over time. The picture and sound quality are excellent, the acting superb, Chancer is truly captivating.

Stephen (Clive Owen) is an investment analyst working for a large company when Douglas Motors, a family-owned business that builds a classic sports car, has a factory fire. Stephen goes out to the factory and is memorized by what he sees and decides to save it. But Douglas Motors is on the downward slide and the factory fire could be the thing that pushes it over the edge.

This is where things get tricky. Stephen has to figure out a way to save this dying car company but no legitimate company wants to loan money to Douglas Motors. So Stephen and his girlfriend Jo (Susannah Harker), the daughter of a rich businessman, figure out a way to swindle a large sum of money from her father's company. From there things just seem to get more complicated as Stephen digs himself in deeper.

Despite the fact that Stephen Crane has embezzled and is a insider trader, he is honest about it, and because he is honest, you like him anyway. He is charming and upfront about his actions and in a way that is endearing, even if he is kind of a jerk. A line that is constantly coming from his mouth is, “What’s the matter? Don’t you trust me?” and no matter what trouble follows people seem to trust him even when they know better.

Chancer is a good old fashioned pot-boiler. Affairs, insider trading, a business in trouble, dysfunctional families with skeletons in the closet, academic theft, a missing son in the French Forgen Legion, suicide, sexual frustration, gosh… the list goes on and on. And you want to know what? I enjoyed every moment of it. It is well done, gripping, and the characters really pull you in. If you missed it the first time around now is a good time to catch up.