Suranne

JODIE Whittaker and Suranne Jones are joined by a host of familiar faces for their new thriller Frauds.

Here’s everything you need to know about whether the crime caper is based on a true story and how to watch it.

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ITV’s Frauds is about two former partners-in-crime who reunite for one last audacious heist after one of them is released from prison on compassionate grounds.

The synopsis for the series reads: “Bert and Sam embark on the most audacious of art thefts, gathering a talented team of outcasts to help them plan this audacious crime.

“Whilst the team must overcome numerous challenges before they can pull off the heist, it’s the power struggle between Bert and Sam that threatens to derail their plans and destroy them both.

“Set against the epic rolling hills of southern Spain and the dark criminal underbelly that casts a shadow over the glistening coast, Frauds is a complex and addictive story of friendship, deception and survival.”

It blends dark comedy with the cinematic heist genre, set against the scenic backdrop of southern Spain — but is it a true story?

When is Frauds on?

Frauds premiered at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

The series includes six episodes airing on consecutive Sunday and Monday nights over three weeks.

All episodes are also available on ITVX for streaming.

Is Frauds based on a true story?

Frauds is a work of fiction created by Suranne Jones and co-writer Anne-Marie O’Connor.

The plot revolves around Bert, who has been in a Spanish prison for ten years and is released due to a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Upon release, she reconnects with her former partner Sam to plan a multi-million-pound art heist.

While the series captures the feel of real criminal undertakings, it is not an adaptation of a true crime or real-life story.

What is the Frauds cast?

Frauds tells the story of Bert and Sam, whose toxic friendship will be pushed to the ultimate test.

Bert tries to lure her pal out of criminal retirement to pull off a multi-million-pound art heist.

Suranne Jones stars as Bert — the career criminal recently released from prison.

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Jodie Whittaker features as Sam, her estranged former partner in crime.

Lost Boys and Fairies actress Elizabeth Berrington plays a master illusionist, while I May Destroy You’s Karan Gill portrays the world’s greatest forger.

Talisa Garcia features as drag star Miss Take, and Christian Cooke takes on the role of moneylender Deegs.

Frauds’ cast is an ensemble of British and Spanish actors, reflecting the series’ international setting — the show was shot in Spain.

Frauds was created and executive produced by Suranne Jones and Anne-Marie O’Connor.

The full cast is as follows:

• Jodie Whittaker as Sam
• Suranne Jones as Bert
• Elizabeth Berrington as Jackie Diamond
• Lee Boardman as The Great Diavolo
• Christian Cooke as Deegs
• Kate Fleetwood as Celine
• Talisa Garcia as Miss Take
• Karan Gill as Bilal
• Horacio Colomé as Miguel
• Thais Martin as Sam’s long-lost daughter
• Nansi Nsue as Amaya
• Abdul Salis as Mateo
• Victor Solé as Carlos Pérez
• Javier Taboada as Blas
• Karise Yansen as Komet

The BBC has announced the new cast for the third series of Vigil, which will see Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie return as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre

The BBC has revealed the additional cast members joining Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie for the comeback of acclaimed drama Vigil, and amongst the recognisable faces is a beloved Shetland star.

Shetland performers Steven Miller, Killian Coyle and Dawn Sievewright have secured fresh roles on Vigil, with filming for the third series currently taking place in Svalbard and Scotland.

As previously confirmed, Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie are back as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre.

The six-episode series will witness the pair tackling a fresh investigation at an isolated Arctic research facility, where a member of a secretive British special forces operation has been fatally shot.

The plot summary continues: “Amy and Kirsten will need to catch the killer and diffuse a potential international confrontation, driven by a land-grab for energy and resources in the changing polar climate, with both their careers and relationship on the line.”

In the first-look photograph, Jones and Leslie can be seen on set, bundled up and prepared for action. The snowy setting certainly provides an atmospheric backdrop for an unsettling new tale, reports the Daily Record.

Gary Lewis is back reprising his character as Detective Superintendent Robertson, who has featured throughout every series of Vigil to date.

Dominic Mafham also makes his return as Sir Ian Downing, whilst Orla Russell comes back as Poppy, Amy and Kirsten’s daughter.

The fresh cast for the third series additionally features Jeppe Beck Laursen, Tornike Gogrichiani, Benjamin Wainwright, Artur Zai Barrera, Jordan Duvigneau and Kaisa Hammarlund. As well as Adam Fidusiewicz, Naomi Yang, Eric Godon, Conor Berry, Amy Manson, Jason Tobin, Steven Cree, Derek Riddell, Alma Prelec and Shereen Cutkelvin.

Specifics surrounding their individual characters are being kept secret, though we can expect they’ll all become embroiled in the fresh mystery and potentially find themselves under scrutiny.

Following the announcement that filming had commenced alongside the new ensemble, writer Tom Edge commented: “I’m grateful to the BBC and World Productions for backing the ambition of a story that takes Vigil to the Arctic.

“This series grapples with the issues that will define tomorrow’s world: melting ice caps, conflict over resources, energy wars, and lives put at risk in pursuit of peace and profits.”

Jake Lushington, executive producer for World Productions, remarked: “We are thrilled to be kicking off filming series three of Vigil with Suranne and Rose in the epic arctic landscapes of Svalbard and welcome our most multinational cast to date, as well as featuring new and established Scottish talent.”

Vigil seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.

Suranne Jones has opened up on her new ITV drama Frauds, which sees her star alongside Jodie Whittaker as two con women who rekindle their friendship to pull off a heist

Suranne Jones has revealed her striking makeover and confessed to feeling “anxious” about her latest ITV drama Frauds.

The forthcoming show features Suranne alongside Jodie Whittaker as a pair of female fraudsters named Bert and Sam, whose poisonous yet wickedly amusing bond is reignited to execute the ultimate robbery.

“Bert and Sam embark on the most audacious of art thefts, gathering a talented team of outcasts to help them plan this audacious crime,” the synopsis continues.

“Whilst the team must overcome numerous challenges before they can pull off the heist, it’s the power struggle between Bert and Sam that threatens to derail their plans and destroy them both.

“Set against the epic rolling hills of southern Spain and the dark criminal underbelly that casts a shadow over the glistening coast, Frauds is a complex and addictive story of friendship, deception and survival”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Frauds is scheduled to launch this Sunday (October 5) at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

The six-episode series will then broadcast on Sunday and Monday evenings across three weeks.

During a press conference for the new programme, Suranne discussed juggling her multiple responsibilities, both performing and working behind the scenes.

Beyond portraying Bert, the star also co-developed the show with Anne-Marie O’Connor and acts as executive producer. “Obviously, there’s the pre-planning and there’s the whiteboard stage, and there’s the pouring your heart out and getting all the bits in and then obviously, Anne-Marie goes away and delivers a brilliant script,” she explained.

“When I’m in it, it does become a little difficult because you work at night, work at the weekends… I was being pulled off set and working. It is exhausting, but also, look what we created. I’m really proud of it, I can’t believe we’ve done it.”

Hinting at a particularly gripping moment between the two main characters, Suranne went on: “It has to manifest itself. I felt anxious for the first time watching it… Something has to give with these two and there’s a release in one, but then Bert gets worse.”

Suranne also disclosed the reasoning behind her dramatic makeover into Bert.

In the programme, the 47 year old actress appears completely transformed as she dons a sleek blonde bob instead of her signature dark locks.

Discussing Bert’s bold fashion choices, Suranne revealed that she put together an extensive mood board to help her envision her character’s look, including her significant tattoos.

“She wants to project to the world that she’s dangerous, she’s had this sort of life, but obviously that’s just a projection and then the outfits were part of that. It’s loud. I’m here, you will look at me. It’s all presentation,” she said.

“The blonde came because when Jodie said yes, she said she wasn’t going to dye her hair. So, I assumed she’d be blonde and I was going to have like un undercut. And then I was like, ‘It’s okay. She can stay dark, I’ll go blonde.'”

“And everyone went, ‘What?! You’re gonna look so different!’ And we were like, ‘Exactly, that’s going to work.'”

Executive Producer for Monumental Television Alison Owen added: “Suranne was fierce about the whole look. I mean, every day, weren’t you going through it so minutely. It was a real education for me in seeing someone create a character through your make-up, your hair, your costume, such precision.”

Suranne concluded: “I just knew her. We talked a lot and I just knew that’s what we wanted.”

Frauds premieres Sunday 5th October at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX