The new ITV drama Frauds began with a powerful first episode, bringing together two former con artists whose toxic friendship quickly spirals into plans for a dangerous final job. The series stars Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker as Bert and Sam, whose reunion after a decade apart is filled with tension, regret, and a spark of their old mischief.
The Uncomfortable Reunion
The episode opens with Sam picking up Bert after Bert’s release from a Spanish prison. Bert has been granted compassionate release due to a terminal illness. The car ride through the Spanish countryside is filled with awkward silence and bitter jokes, highlighting the strain of their ten years apart. Sam has been trying to live a quiet, honest life, while Bert hides her fear behind humor and vodka.
Their complex history is slowly revealed through flashbacks. We learn that both women were once part of a larger criminal ring led by a maternal figure named Miss Take. When their last job went wrong, Bert was the one who took the fall and went to prison, while Sam avoided a sentence. This decision has left Sam with a heavy burden of guilt, which she has carried all these years.
A Night Out Rekindles Old Habits
The tone of the episode shifts when Bert, restless and seeking excitement, convinces a reluctant Sam to go on a nighttime outing. What begins as a harmless trip soon turns into a full-blown break-in at a historic bullring. The scene is both tense and darkly funny, showing the two women working together as a team once again.
For a brief moment, the pair are not ex-convicts weighed down by guilt, but partners in crime, rediscovering the thrill of their past. However, the moment is short-lived. When they are caught by a security guard and forced to flee, the reality of their situation comes crashing back. The incident proves that old habits die hard and that trouble seems to find them wherever they go.
The Setup for One Final Job
In the final scenes of the episode, Bert makes her true intentions clear. She reveals her plan for one last major heist: to steal a priceless Salvador Dalí painting called The Face of the Great M*sturbator from the Reina Sofía Museum. Sam initially refuses, wanting to protect the quiet life she has built for herself.
Bert, however, knows exactly how to push Sam’s buttons. She reminds Sam of everything they have lost and everything they once were together. It’s a manipulation wrapped in sentiment, and by the time the episode ends, Sam’s resistance begins to crack. Their reunion, which started as a simple pickup from prison, has now set the stage for a final, dangerous con that could either destroy them or offer a chance at redemption.
Behind the Scenes of the New Drama
Frauds is a six-part series co-created by its star, Suranne Jones, and writer Anne-Marie O’Connor. Jones not only plays the lead role of Bert but also serves as an executive producer. For the series, she undergoes a dramatic transformation, sporting a sharp blonde bob. She described her character’s bold style as a projection to the world that she is “dangerous.”
Jodie Whittaker plays the more contained Sam, a character she says is the opposite of her own personality. The two actresses, who are friends in real life, have spoken highly of their working relationship. Jones said of Whittaker, > “I’m totally in love with Jodie Whittaker… She’s so funny. Kind, loyal. So generous.” Whittaker reciprocated the admiration, calling Jones a “powerhouse” for juggling her acting and producer roles.
The show’s supporting cast includes Talisa Garcia as the duo’s former mentor, Miss Take, and Elizabeth Berrington as Jackie, a magician’s assistant with a sharp tongue.
Frauds continues with new episodes airing on ITV1 and streaming on ITVX.
Also Read: Elizabeth Olsen Wants Scarlet Witch Return, Shares Thoughts on Superhero Fatigue
