Adrian Lester on his new crime drama Riviera
Hustle star Adrian Lester on playing another shady character in a lavish new crime thriller
Adrian Lester is known for playing the ultimate conman, Mickey ‘Bricks’ Stone, in BBC1’S crime drama Hustle. But after steering away from similar roles over the past five years, he’s excited to be back fooling the rich, famous and dangerous in brand-new crime thriller Riviera on Sky Atlantic this week.
Created by Neil Jordan, director of the Oscar-winning 1992 film The Crying Game, the 10-part drama is set on the French Riviera and sees Adrian play art dealer Robert Carver, who helps his friend Georgina (Hollywood star Julia Stiles) when her billionaire husband Constantine is killed in an explosion on a yacht.
We spoke to Adrian, 48, to find out more about the series…
How does Robert fit into the glamorous world of Riviera? Robert trained in the same art class as Georgina; he’s an art dealer and she’s a curator, and they’ve had some sort of romantic entanglement.
She trusts him, and he would do anything for her, so when she thinks all is not what it seems with her husband’s death, he offers his help.
What’s his position in the art world? Robert is on the shadier side. It’s quite common for people who buy a piece of art to have a really good reproduction on their wall while the original is locked away. He knows people who produce forgeries, and how to break into places to steal things.
How does Robert compare with Hustle’s Mickey Stone? There’s a similarity in the way they work the world, which is not necessarily lawful, but they have a strong code of honour and a loyal team.
Filming on the French Riviera must have been a nice perk of the job... There are worse places to work! But what really pulled me towards the show was being able to direct two episodes. That was a great experience, and directing myself was, erm, fun!
Did you meet any rich and famous residents while you were there?
I might have met the odd millionaire when I was out and about, but I’m trying to upgrade to a billionaire. Maybe on the next trip!
I might have met the odd millionaire, but I’m trying to upgrade
to a billionaire