Wired

A slick, fast-paced three-part British TV thriller centering on skullduggery within the world of London investment banking, this 2008 series revolves around a scheme to divert millions from the account of a mogul who's selling his company to crooks via wire transfer. The lynchpin of the complicated theft is Louise Evans (Jodie Whittaker), a bank employee and struggling single mother who's enticed (or forced, depending on one's point of view) into assisting in the high-tech heist. Louise is also the key for undercover cop Crawford Hill (Toby Stephens) of the Fraud Department to bring the criminals to justice. Needless to say, the pair become romantically involved (making Hill's job more difficult) in this tale featuring twists aplenty as players on both sides switch allegiances in order to advance their own interests. Wired, which makes good use of the English locations to create a world of glossy privilege that conceals a seedy underbelly, boasts a strong cast, with the leads supported by a team of expert British character actors. An entertaining bit of smart escapism, this is recommended. (F. Swietek)