The Great Train Robbery (2013)
A taut two-part BBC One drama recreating Britain's most legendary heist and the relentless police hunt that followed.
The Great Train Robbery - Series Information
- Original Title: The Great Train Robbery
- First Air Year: 2013
- Last Air Year: 2013
- Created by: Chris Chibnall
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 90 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 2
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: December 18, 2013 (United States - TV-14), December 18, 2013 (Canada - 14+), December 18, 2013 (United Kingdom - 12), December 18, 2013 (Germany - 12), December 18, 2013 (France - 12), December 18, 2013 (Spain - 12)
- Networks: BBC One
- Alternative Titles: Der grosse Eisenbahnraub 1963 (CH), Wielki Napad na Pociąg (PL)
- Production Companies: World Productions, Screen Yorkshire, BBC, BBC Drama Group
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Great Train Robbery - Plot
8 August 1963: Britain wakes up to news of the biggest robbery in the country's history. A train has been hijacked and robbed, 35 miles from its arrival in central London. The country is stunned. Who could be behind it? How did they pull off such an audacious raid?
The Great Train Robbery - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the drama that unfolds:
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The Great Train Robbery - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Chris Chibnall
Main Cast
- Jim Broadbent
- Luke Evans
- Jack Roth
- Robert Glenister
- Paul Anderson
- Neil Maskell
- Martin Compston
- Nicholas Murchie
- Del Synnott
- Jack Gordon
Writers
- Chris Chibnall
Executive Producers
- Peter Hampden
- Roderick Seligman
- Simon Heath
- Geoff Webb
- Polly Hill
The Great Train Robbery - FAQs
Is The Great Train Robbery based on a true story?
Absolutely. The miniseries dramatises the real Great Train Robbery of 8 August 1963, when a gang of thieves hijacked a Royal Mail train in Buckinghamshire and made off with over £2.6 million. It remains one of the most audacious heists in British criminal history.
Who are the main actors in The Great Train Robbery?
The cast features Jim Broadbent as detective DCS Tommy Butler, Luke Evans as gang mastermind Bruce Reynolds, Robert Glenister as DI Frank Williams, Neil Maskell as Buster Edwards, Paul Anderson as Gordon Goody, Martin Compston as Roy James, and Jack Gordon as Ronnie Biggs, among others.
Where can you stream The Great Train Robbery?
The Great Train Robbery is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, BritBox, and Spectrum On Demand. Free ad-supported viewing is available on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Shout! Factory TV, and Plex. It can also be purchased or rented on Amazon Video.
How does the series tell the story from two perspectives?
The two-part format is cleverly structured: the first episode follows the robbers planning and executing the heist, while the second shifts to the police investigation led by DCS Tommy Butler. Together they offer a complete, dual-sided portrait of one of Britain's most sensational crimes.
Who created The Great Train Robbery miniseries?
The miniseries was written and created by Chris Chibnall, best known for creating Broadchurch and later serving as showrunner on Doctor Who. His script draws on historical accounts of the 1963 robbery to craft a tense, character-driven drama across two feature-length episodes.
How many episodes does The Great Train Robbery have?
The Great Train Robbery consists of two feature-length episodes, each running approximately 90 minutes. The first episode, A Robber's Tale, focuses on the gang, while the second, A Copper's Tale, follows the detectives hunting them down.
What is the content rating for The Great Train Robbery?
The series carries a TV-14 rating in the United States, indicating content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. It was rated 12 in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain, and 14+ in Canada upon its December 2013 broadcast.
What are some shows similar to The Great Train Robbery?
If you enjoyed The Great Train Robbery, try Bonnie & Clyde (2013) for another true-crime period drama, or Des (2020) for gripping British crime storytelling. The English Game (2020) and Grace (2021) also offer compelling British period drama with strong ensemble casts.
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