Stand by for the launch of a brand-new family drama series, which will appeal to young and old viewers alike...
Crookhaven is a thrilling eight-part family drama coming to television this March. Set within the walls of a secret school for young crooks, the show turns the traditional high school story on its head. At Crookhaven, students aren’t trained to follow the rules, they're taught to outsmart villains, outwit criminals and use their talents to restore balance and justice to the outside world.
Packed with twists, rivalries and high-stakes challenges, Crookhaven blends action, mystery and moral complexity into a gripping drama about identity, loyalty and the power of found family.
At the heart of the story is Gabriel Avery, a gifted pickpocket recruited into this hidden world, where he finds himself locked in fierce competition with Penelope Lockett (Carmel Laniado) - the brilliantly talented daughter of the school’s formidable headmaster (Dougray Scott). As eight talented international students battle for the legendary Crooked Cup, a shadowy enemy known as the Nameless threatens to tear the school apart from within…
Who stars in Crookhaven?
Lucas Leach as Gabriel Avery
Sharp-witted and armed with a near-photographic memory, Gabriel Avery has survived most of his life by relying on his instincts, and his talent for light-fingered theft. Raised by the woman he calls Grandma (Julie Hesmondhalgh) - although they’re not related by blood, she remains his anchor and greatest motivation. Gabriel projects confidence and defiance, using humour and attitude as armour, but beneath that guarded exterior is someone deeply compassionate. Although Gabriel is used to looking out only for himself, he gradually discovers what it means to trust others.
He is played by Lucas Leach, who is leading the cast of a drama series for the first time in his career, and who previously had a role in FBI: International (2024).
Carmel Laniado as Penelope Lockett
As the headmaster’s (Dougray Scott) daughter, Penelope Lockett carries the weight of generations on her shoulders. Focused, formidable and fiercely intelligent, she pushes herself relentlessly in pursuit of excellence. With a family legacy steeped in Crookhaven history – and a mother (Claire Forlani) famed for her mastery of deception currently away on a classified mission – Penelope feels compelled to live up to an almost impossible standard. Although she initially clashes with Gabriel (Lucas Leach), their rivalry evolves into a charged and unexpected friendship that challenges them both.
21-year-old Carmel Laniado has previously had roles in The Witcher (2021) and Tell Me Everything (2024).
Amari Bacchus as Ade Okoro
One half of the self-styled ‘Brothers Crim’, Ade Okoro is a gifted hacker with boundless energy and enthusiasm. Tech-obsessed and proud of it, he and his twin Ede (Sani Thabo) were recruited to Crookhaven after catching the attention of teacher Whisper (Genesis Lynea) online.
Ade is the louder, flashier twin. He’s quick to talk, quick to boast, and always ready with hype, even when his confidence outweighs his actual cool. Beneath the bravado, though, he’s fiercely loyal, and never far from thoughts of his mum’s cooking.
Amari Bacchus previously had a role in Adolescence (2025), and will appear in the forthcoming series Blood On The Books.
Sani Thabo as Ede Okoro
The quieter and more contemplative half of the ‘Brothers Crim’, Ede Okoro is the strategist of the duo. Thoughtful, clever and perpetually hungry, he’s usually the one coming up with the plans, while Ade (Amari Bacchus) provides the noise. When Ede develops feelings for a fellow student, he finds himself out of his depth, despite his brother’s enthusiastic (if misguided) romantic advice. The twins are rarely apart, and when tensions briefly divide them, they each realise how incomplete they feel on their own.
Sani Thabo has previously appeared in Everything Now (2023), Casualty (2024) and Perfect Britain (2024).
Julie Hesmondhalgh as Grandma
Devoted and self-sacrificing, Gabriel’s (Lucas Leach) Grandma raised him with unwavering love despite their difficult circumstances. She scrapes by in an underpaid, exhausting job, for which she is paid off the books, unable to risk official employment because of a secret she carries. She dreams only of a better future for Gabriel and beams with pride at his acceptance into a prestigious school, blissfully unaware of its true nature.
Julie Hesmondhalgh is perhaps best known for her role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, who she played between 1998 and 2014, but she has also appeared in Cucumber (2015), Inside No 9 (2015), Happy Valley (2016), Broadchurch (2017), Doctor Who (2018), The A Word (2020), The Pact (2021), Mr Bates Vs The Post Office (2024) and Alma’s Not Normal (2024), among many others.
Dougray Scott as Caspian Lockett
Headmaster Caspian Lockett represents the old-school ethos of Crookhaven. A firm believer in tradition and order, he upholds the institution’s long-standing code – at least on the surface. Beneath his composed exterior lies a highly skilled strategist who knows exactly how to influence staff, students and even his own daughter, Penelope (Carmel Laniado). As Head of the global Crooked Network, his authority stretches far beyond the school grounds, maintaining a delicate equilibrium between criminality and control. However, Caspian’s judgment is clouded by one deeply personal mission: rescuing his wife Carmen (Claire Forlani) from the Nameless. In pursuit of that goal, he is prepared to bend principles, and potentially risk everything Crookhaven stands for.
Dougray Scott first captured global attention as Prince Henry opposite Drew Barrymore in the beloved romantic classic Ever After (1998), before taking on the high-profile role of villain Sean Ambrose in the blockbuster movie Mission: Impossible 2 (2000). His diverse film career also includes appearances in Hitman (2007), My Week With Marilyn (2011) and Taken 3 (2014).
On television, Dougray has appeared in Soldier Soldier (1995), The Crow Road (1996), Desperate Housewives (2006-2007), Hemlock Grove (2013-2014), Batwoman (2019-2021), Crime (2021-2022), Vigil (2023), The Hack (2025) and Summerwater (2025).
Keith Allen as Erasmus Sisman
As Crookhaven’s formidable Head of Security, Erasmus Sisman runs a tight ship. He’s gruff, disciplined and deeply loyal, and views any threat to the school as a personal challenge. Leading his team of guards – known as the Gardeners – Sisman patrols with relentless determination. Once someone lands on his radar, he does not let go easily.
Keith Allen – the famous father of singer Lily Allen and actor Alife Allen – has enjoyed a varied career as an actor, musician and presenter. On screen, you may have seen him in Inspector Morse (1993), Martin Chuzzlewit (1994), Bob Martin (2000-2001), Black Books (2004), Bodies (2004-2006), New Tricks (2005, 2011), Robin Hood (2006-2009), The Runaway (2010-2011), Death In Paradise (2016), The Pembrokeshire Murders (2021), Midsomer Murders (2021) and Steeltown Murders (2023).
He’s also appeared in quite a few feature films, including Shallow Grave (1994), Trainspotting (1996) and Eddie The Eagle (2016).
Claire Forlani as Carmen Lockett
A Crook of exceptional ability, Carmen is both Penelope’s mother and a legend in her own right. Currently away on a covert assignment, her influence remains strong. Ambitious and razor-sharp, she trained Penelope (Carmel Laniado) rigorously from a young age, balancing high expectations with fierce love. To Carmen, preparation is protection, and weakness is never an option.
You may recognise Claire Forlani from one of her previous roles, which include CSI: NY (2006-2010), NCIS: Los Angeles (2011-2012), Hawaii Five-0 (2016-2017) and Industry (2026).
Is Crookhaven based on a book?
Yes! There is a series of Crookhaven novels, which were written by author JJ Arcanjo. The first book in the series, titled Crookhaven: The School For Thieves was published in 2022. Since then, there have been four sequel adventures, The Forgotten Maze, The Island Heist, The Impossible Fortress and The Thieves’ Revenge. We're hoping that means that we'll get a second series of Crookhaven!
Where is Crookhaven being filmed?
Most of the series was filmed on location in Northern Ireland, in the summer of 2025, with production based in and around Belfast. The series was shot with support from Northern Ireland Screen.
Where can I watch Crookhaven?
The first episode is on BBC1 on Sunday 22 March, with the rest of the series airing in subsequent weeks. However, if you want to watch the series more quickly than that, all eight episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer once the first episode has aired.
Tom Spilsbury has been a writer for TV Choice and its sister publication Total TV Guide since 2021. He was previously the longest-serving editor of the official Doctor Who Magazine (from 2007 to 2017), where he won an Eagle Award in 2012, and the ACE award for Circulation Excellence by a monthly magazine (2014).