Adrian Lester, whom I had never heard of before this series but whom I will be looking for in the future, plays Michael Stone, also known as Mickey Bricks. Lester plays the ultimate con man to a T, being at once brash, witty, and bold. I really liked how he handled himself, the tough general to the troops but fragile at the same time. Generally the stories revolve around him, and it’s a pleasure to watch the fictional character as well as the actor work.
Jaime Murray stars as Stacie Monroe. The actress is lovely and talented. As Monroe, she often plays the bait or eye candy to someone else’s role in the cons. She carries a saucy fire about her that’s at once provocative and endearing.
Ash Morgan, the team’s “fixer” (the guy who goes and gets what they need, safecracker, electronics tech, or art forger) is played by Robert Glenister. He’s cool and competent, but his backstory with his mentally incapacitated wife breaks viewers’ hearts. Glenister is one of those second-tier characters that you love to watch work. He’s solid and dependable, and plays each bit for all it’s worth.
Danny Blue, played by Marc Warren, is the new kid on the block. The first episode in season one shows how he was brought on board. He was a previous short con artist and is now being taught the art of the long con. As he gets taught, so does the audience. There’s also a certain amount of friction between Danny and Mickey over Stacie and the whole education process that is fun and interesting to watch.
The shows are extremely viewer friendly, filled with quick pacing and a lot of visual action rather than heavy scenes. Dialogue whip-cracks along, advancing the plot and the problems that come up. I ended up watching all six shows pretty much back-to-back even though I didn’t really have time to do that. They’re just that mesmerizing.
The first season’s episodes contain:
“The Con Is On”. Picking up right after Mickey is released from prison (although he’s never been arrested for anything relating to a con), the team quickly assembles. Mickey has to deal with his impending divorce and the fact that his soon-to-be ex-wife cheated on him. Danny Blue keeps interfering with their con and they eventually decide to bring him in. The twists and turns of the plot and characters, as well as they way they stop the action in the story to explain to the viewer, sets up the tone carried throughout the series. Even though you’re watching them, you never get to see everything. It’s part of the con.
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