Brian Cox has said that he doesn’t agree with the glamorisation of gangsters like his character in Sky 1’s ‘The Take.’

The 63-year-old actor plays Ozzy in the show which is based on Martina Cole’s best-selling book.

Brian told MSN: “This world of gangsters and hard men is interesting territory, but I don’t particularly like it as a culture, I find no glamour in these people.”

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I’m a big fan of Martina Coles’ work and despite the fact that I have a pathological loathing of anything to do with the ‘80s and nostalgia from the period, the excellent performances by the cast of The Take kept me glued.

Most notably, Tom Hardy as the villain and antihero of the piece – Freddie – was mesmerising. Whoever was in charge of casting did an excellent job; Hardy’s not the most glamorous looking actor in the world but he was made to play Freddie. The temptation might have been to cast an actor who was rather more photogenic so as to increase the sexual attraction of the character, but in fact, Hardy is spot on.

He was utterly believable as the newly released ex-con who had no intention of going straight, and his on-screen menace was palpable. It made me want to shrink back from the screen while alternately hoping that if I ever met his character, he’d like me… Read more & comment »

Adapted from the best-selling novel MARTINA COLE’S THE TAKE is a gripping drama about love, power, jealousy and betrayal.

The four-part serial features a stunning ensemble cast of British talent including Tom Hardy (Bronson, Stuart A Life Backwards), Emmy® award winner Brian Cox (Braveheart, The Bourne Supremacy, Deadwood), Kierston Wareing (It’s a Free World, Fish Tank), Charlotte Riley (Easy Virtue),) and Shaun Evans (Teachers).

Freddie Jackson (Hardy) is just out of prison. He’s done his time, made the right connections and now he’s ready to use them. With his faithful cousin Jimmy (Evans) by his side, Freddie is ready to take on the world. His wife Jackie (Wareing) dreams of having her husband home but she’s forgotten the rows and the girls Freddie can’t leave alone.

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