The Invisibles (TV series)
Encyclopedia
The Invisibles is a British
2008 comedy drama series created and written by William Ivory for the BBC
. It was produced by Company Pictures
, shot in the Republic of Ireland
and Northern Ireland
.
) and Syd Woolsey (Clarke
), are "The Invisibles", a team of retired master burglars. After a string of successful crimes during the 1980s — during which they were never apprehended or identified by the authorities — they retired with their wives to the Spanish Mediterranean coast
. In their heyday, the media turned them into minor folk heroes.
Now getting long in the tooth, they give in to homesickness and return to England
, settling in a quiet Devon
fishing village. They still have enough money to support themselves comfortably (though not as extravagantly as they might be used to), and look forward to a quiet life of fishing and the benefits of the NHS
. Circumstances, however, conspire to pull them back to a life of crime. Woolsey's son (Tighe
) is in trouble with mobsters, and the son of a former associate (Lennox Kelly
) idolizes them and wants them to teach him the business. On top of this, they're feeling old and bored. Early capers prove to them that security technology and the brutality of the criminal life have changed dramatically in two decades, and they've lost their edge as well. But the excitement is undeniable, and they try to make a go of it.
Maurice's wife Barbara (Agutter
), initially resistant to their plans, can't deny the positive effect it has on Maurice's demeanour. Their daughter, Grace (Emily Head
), is completely unaware how Dad made his money or what he does when he goes out for the evening.
. The brass parts were performed by Guy Barker
and Phil Todd.
village of Portaferry
, County Down
which was considered a good look alike for a Devon village without being so crowded.
It was originally commissioned under the title Desperados but was changed to The Invisibles to match the name used by Head and Clarke's characters, and in reference to how people become "invisible" in society as they get older.
The BBC confirmed in March 2009 that it would not be renewing the series for a second season.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
2008 comedy drama series created and written by William Ivory for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. It was produced by Company Pictures
Company Pictures
Company Pictures is an independent British television production company which has produced drama programming for many broadcasters. Their productions have included:*drama series Wild at Heart for ITV1, written by Ashley Pharoah....
, shot in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Premise
Maurice Riley (HeadAnthony Head
Anthony Stewart Head , usually credited as Anthony Head, is an English actor and musician. He rose to fame in the UK following his role in television advertisements for Nescafé Gold Blend , and is known for his roles as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Uther Pendragon in...
) and Syd Woolsey (Clarke
Warren Clarke
-Biography:Clarke was born in Oldham, Lancashire. His first television appearance was in the long running Granada soap opera Coronation Street, initially as Kenny Pickup in 1966 and then as Gary Bailey in 1968. His first major film appearance was in Stanley Kubrick's controversial A Clockwork...
), are "The Invisibles", a team of retired master burglars. After a string of successful crimes during the 1980s — during which they were never apprehended or identified by the authorities — they retired with their wives to the Spanish Mediterranean coast
Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is a region in the south of Spain, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, comprising the coastal towns and communities along the Mediterranean coastline of the Málaga province. The Costa del Sol is situated between two lesser known costas: Costa de la Luz and Costa Tropical...
. In their heyday, the media turned them into minor folk heroes.
Now getting long in the tooth, they give in to homesickness and return to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, settling in a quiet Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
fishing village. They still have enough money to support themselves comfortably (though not as extravagantly as they might be used to), and look forward to a quiet life of fishing and the benefits of the NHS
National Health Service (England)
The National Health Service or NHS is the publicly funded healthcare system in England. It is both the largest and oldest single-payer healthcare system in the world. It is able to function in the way that it does because it is primarily funded through the general taxation system, similar to how...
. Circumstances, however, conspire to pull them back to a life of crime. Woolsey's son (Tighe
Darren Tighe
Darren Tighe is an English actor and comedian, known for his roles in BBC sitcoms Thieves Like Us, The Visit and Ideal.-Background:Tighe was born in Preston, Lancashire, England. His initial acting training was with Preston drama teacher Pete Hartley. He then studied at Preston College under Nigel...
) is in trouble with mobsters, and the son of a former associate (Lennox Kelly
Dean Lennox Kelly
Dean Lennox Kelly is an English actor, He is the brother of actor Craig Kelly.Dean is best known for his role as Kev Ball in Channel 4’s Shameless.-Career:...
) idolizes them and wants them to teach him the business. On top of this, they're feeling old and bored. Early capers prove to them that security technology and the brutality of the criminal life have changed dramatically in two decades, and they've lost their edge as well. But the excitement is undeniable, and they try to make a go of it.
Maurice's wife Barbara (Agutter
Jenny Agutter
Jennifer Ann "Jenny" Agutter is an English film and television actress. She began her career as a child actress in the mid 1960s, starring in the BBC television series The Railway Children and the film adaptation of the same book, before moving on to adult roles and relocating to Hollywood.She...
), initially resistant to their plans, can't deny the positive effect it has on Maurice's demeanour. Their daughter, Grace (Emily Head
Emily Head
Emily Rose Head is an English actress, best known for playing Carli D'Amato in E4's sitcom, The Inbetweeners.-Early life:Head was born in London on December 15, 1988 to parents Anthony Head and Sarah Fisher...
), is completely unaware how Dad made his money or what he does when he goes out for the evening.
Cast
- Warren ClarkeWarren Clarke-Biography:Clarke was born in Oldham, Lancashire. His first television appearance was in the long running Granada soap opera Coronation Street, initially as Kenny Pickup in 1966 and then as Gary Bailey in 1968. His first major film appearance was in Stanley Kubrick's controversial A Clockwork...
as Syd Woolsey - Anthony HeadAnthony HeadAnthony Stewart Head , usually credited as Anthony Head, is an English actor and musician. He rose to fame in the UK following his role in television advertisements for Nescafé Gold Blend , and is known for his roles as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Uther Pendragon in...
as Maurice Riley - Dean Lennox KellyDean Lennox KellyDean Lennox Kelly is an English actor, He is the brother of actor Craig Kelly.Dean is best known for his role as Kev Ball in Channel 4’s Shameless.-Career:...
as Hedley Huthwaite - Jenny AgutterJenny AgutterJennifer Ann "Jenny" Agutter is an English film and television actress. She began her career as a child actress in the mid 1960s, starring in the BBC television series The Railway Children and the film adaptation of the same book, before moving on to adult roles and relocating to Hollywood.She...
as Barbara Riley - Emily HeadEmily HeadEmily Rose Head is an English actress, best known for playing Carli D'Amato in E4's sitcom, The Inbetweeners.-Early life:Head was born in London on December 15, 1988 to parents Anthony Head and Sarah Fisher...
as Grace Riley - Paul Barber as Young Nick
- Mina AnwarMina AnwarMina Anwar is a British actress.-Early life:Anwar was educated at Accrington Moorhead Sports College, and gained an A level in Theatre in Performance at the Accrington and Rossendale College in 1988 before training at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.-Acting career:She played Police...
as Helen Huthwaite - Darren TigheDarren TigheDarren Tighe is an English actor and comedian, known for his roles in BBC sitcoms Thieves Like Us, The Visit and Ideal.-Background:Tighe was born in Preston, Lancashire, England. His initial acting training was with Preston drama teacher Pete Hartley. He then studied at Preston College under Nigel...
as Joe Woolsey
Music
The music was especially commissioned and composed by Nick Green and Tristin NorwellTristin Norwell
Tristin Norwell is a British composer, best known for his music scores and record production. He has been based in London since 1992. He rose to notice in the mid 1990s as a record producer and music arranger collaborating with many artists in the late 90's...
. The brass parts were performed by Guy Barker
Guy Barker
Guy Barker is an English jazz trumpeter and composer. Barker was born in Chiswick, London, the son of an actress and a stuntman. He started playing the trumpet at the age of twelve, and within a year had joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra...
and Phil Todd.
Production
The series was filmed in the Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
village of Portaferry
Portaferry
Portaferry is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland, at the southern end of the Ards Peninsula, near the Narrows at the entrance to Strangford Lough. It had a population of 2,467 people in the 2001 Census. It has an aquarium and is well-known for the annual Galway Hookers Regatta. It hosts...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
which was considered a good look alike for a Devon village without being so crowded.
It was originally commissioned under the title Desperados but was changed to The Invisibles to match the name used by Head and Clarke's characters, and in reference to how people become "invisible" in society as they get older.
The BBC confirmed in March 2009 that it would not be renewing the series for a second season.
Episodes
| Episode 1- First aired: May 1, 2008 |
|---|
| After fifteen years of living it up in the Costa del Sol, Maurice Riley and Syd Woolsey are back in Britain. Mo is determined to keep his promise to his wife and not return to crime, but Syd's son is in trouble and the only way they can help bail him out is to rob again. With the help of their old colleague's son Hedley, the boys try one last job. Or so they say. |
| Episode 2- First aired: May 8, 2008 |
| Maurice and Syd are shocked when Knacker, a copper from their past, rents the flat below them. Maurice struggles to keep him away from his visiting daughter, who doesn't know about his criminal history. Things get much worse for the boys when Knacker reveals he has evidence that could send them both down for a very long time - unless they do a job for him. They complete the job, but Knacker is seen by the authorities and blamed for the crime. He dies during the escape of natural causes, explaining to Mo he wanted the stuff for his wife. |
| Episode 3- First aired: May 15, 2008 |
| Maurice is rattled when Barbara befriends a local aristocrat. When her bracelet is stolen, Maurice is convinced he knows the culprit and will stop at nothing to prove he's right. Meanwhile, Syd runs into his first love and as sparks fly again, he completely goes off the boil. |
| Episode 4- First aired: May 22, 2008 |
| Maurice decides to try and crack the one safe that he could never open, the iron lady, ignoring warnings from Hedley and Syd of a curse on the safe. But, is it really a safe at all? Or is it just a distraction, the real safe, a much smaller one always right next to it. After, he cracks it he makes a getaway. And what beautiful prize does he get for his troubles? A paint bomb! Poof. And the trio of criminals end up looking like the smurfs. |
| Episode 5- First aired: May 29, 2008 |
| Hedley considers leaving the gang and giving up his life of crime after finding out that his wife is pregnant. |
| Episode 6- First aired: June 5, 2008 |
| After their doctor suffers a heart attack, Maurice and Syd realize that they're getting old. They both about trying to be young in very different ways: Syd tries cool clothes, roof jumping and other junkie related stuff, while Mo attempts to stop being short-tempered and become calm and peaceful, to give himself less stress. Barbara actually tries to encourage the weakling Mo to steal the real violin, which belonged to their daughter, but, she knows she's been given back a fake. After bodging the attempt to retrieve the stolen violin, they find themselves in a police siege in the pub. Hedley pretends to be a hostage and Syd and Mo get to grips that they're becoming old. They injure Syd's son in the genital area to get him out of the pub and tell Barbara how passes the message on, so, that their mentor knows what to do. They then escape, disguised and drive a motorbike out through the police squad and to safety, leaving their "Hostage" knocked out on the floor. They all celebrate with a big party in the jacuzzi, to the Invisibles final crime. |