Coronation Street and Vigil stars in first look trailer at “high-stakes” new BBC drama

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Okay, so the BBC dropped a little teaser for this new show called Crookhaven, and honestly, it looks pretty intriguing! They’re calling it a must-watch for everyone in the family – which is a bold claim, but I’m definitely curious to see what it’s all about. They’ve released a short trailer and some first-look photos, and I’m already adding it to my watchlist. It’s an eight-part drama, so hopefully it’s a good one!

Inspired by the books of JJ Arcanjo, the story centers on the thrilling lives of students and teachers at Crookhaven, a school that trains exceptionally talented young thieves.

The story follows eight unique international students who compete for the prestigious Crooked Cup. But their competition is complicated by a frightening and mysterious enemy known only as The Nameless.

The story mainly follows Gabriel, a talented pickpocket played by newcomer Lucas Leach, and Penelope (Carmel Laniado), his main rival and the headmaster’s daughter.

Check out the Crookhaven trailer now for a glimpse at what to expect:

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Dougray Scott, known for his roles in Vigil and Crime, plays the central character of Caspian Lockett. He’s joined by Keith Allen (Trainspotting, Bodies), Julie Hesmondhalgh (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Coronation Street), and Claire Forlani (Industry, Domina) in the series.

The student body at Crookhaven will feature rising stars Amari Bacchus (known for Adolescence), Leila Khan (from Heartstopper), and Charlie Mann (who appeared in Lazarus).

Sarah Muller, a commissioner at the BBC, praised Crookhaven as a fantastic example of the quality, original storytelling the BBC supports. She highlighted its captivating mystery and excellent actors, saying the series is sure to appeal to viewers of all ages.

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We can’t wait to launch this on BBC One, CBBC, and iPlayer this spring, and we’re confident it will be a show the whole family enjoys.

Crookhaven is adding Naomi Wirthner (known from Slow Horses), Genesis Lynea (from Death in Paradise), and Arthur Darvill (of Doctor Who) to the cast in supporting roles. Emily Maitlis, a former journalist with the BBC and The News Agents, will also contribute a voice performance.

Crookhaven is coming soon to BBC One, CBBC and iPlayer.

Don’t miss out! Add Crookhaven to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download it today for daily TV suggestions, exclusive features, and more.

Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

Hey, I’m David Craig, and I basically get paid to watch TV! I write about all the best drama and comedy shows out there for TopMob – everything happening on television and streaming services. Before this, I was at Starburst Magazine, and I even hosted a podcast called The Winter King for ITVX. I studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield, so I’ve been writing about the stuff I love for a while now.

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2026-02-21 15:39