Tom Hardy’s Underrated 2009 Crime Drama ‘The Take’ With Partner Charlotte Riley

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I’m a huge Tom Hardy fan, and it feels like people are still discovering how amazing he is! While everyone talks about his recent work, I wish more people would go back and check out some of his earlier roles. There’s this one crime drama he did with his wife, Charlotte Riley, that’s seriously underrated – he’s incredible in it, and it really shows what he’s capable of.

You know, I stumbled across this old series called The Take the other day, and it’s a shame more people haven’t seen it. It originally aired on Sky One back in 2009, and honestly, it features some of Tom Hardy’s best work. He plays Freddie Jackson, a low-level criminal trying to build his power in East London. It’s a four-part mini-series that also shows his complicated life with his wife, Jackie, and his cousin, Jimmy – it’s a really compelling watch!

Charlotte Riley plays Maggie, Jackie’s sister, and becomes involved with Jimmy. However, she soon discovers, in a disturbing way, that Freddie is also attracted to her. Riley delivers a strong and moving performance as this complex character, complementing one of Hardy’s finest TV roles.

While Tom Hardy is famous for big-budget films and popular shows like Peaky Blinders, some of his less well-known roles are actually more powerful and moving. His performance as Freddie Jackson in The Take is a great example – it’s a hidden gem that’s truly exceptional.

Tom Hardy Starred In A String Of Projects With Charlotte Riley

I find it so interesting that Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley worked together twice in just one year, 2009! They actually first met on the set of a TV adaptation of Wuthering Heights – it was a two-part special directed by Coky Giedroyc for ITV. That project wrapped up a few months before they both appeared in The Take.

This version is quite different from the upcoming 2026 Wuthering Heights film, both in how it looks and how closely it follows Emily Brontë’s original novel – especially when compared to Emerald Fennell’s new take. The 2009 TV series really highlights the strong connection between actors Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley, who played the tragic lovers Heathcliff and Catherine.

Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley Collaborations Tom Hardy Role Charlotte Riley Role Year(s)
Wuthering Heights Heathcliff Catherine Earnshaw 2009
The Take Freddie Jackson Jr. Maggie Summers 2009
Peaky Blinders Alfie Solomons May Fitz Carleton 2014, 2017

I remember when those two first had real chemistry – it was during the filming of The Take. It was a while before they worked together again, almost five years, actually. Then, I was so excited to see them reunite in season two of Peaky Blinders back in 2014. Steven Knight really brought them back in a fantastic project!

Throughout the series, Hardy and Riley never share any scenes together. This is because their characters exist in completely separate worlds: Hardy portrays Alfie Solomons, a Jewish gang leader based in London’s Camden area, while Riley plays May Fitz Carleton, a solitary aristocrat who lives in the countryside.

Tom Hardy’s Lesser-Known Movie & TV Roles Are Some Of His Best

Throughout his career, Tom Hardy has consistently challenged himself by choosing interesting, often lesser-known roles. This dedication goes back further than his early work in shows like The Take. A prime example is his critically acclaimed performance as the lead character in the 2013 film Locke, which remains a standout achievement.

He’s also appeared in notable roles like Bob Saginowski in the mafia film The Drop, which was James Gandolfini’s final performance, and as gang leader Johnny Davis in The Bikeriders. Nine years ago, he starred as James Delaney in the historical thriller Taboo.

Before landing the role of Freddie Jackson in The Take, Hardy impressed audiences with his powerful performances in Stuart: A Life Backwards (as Stuart Shorter) and Bronson (as Michael Gordon Peterson). These roles showcased his exceptional talent for character work and caught the eye of prominent filmmakers like Christopher Nolan.

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2026-04-26 02:39