The Great Train Robbery, produced by World Productions with investment from Screen Yorkshire’s Yorkshire Content Fund, comprises two feature-length dramas for BBC One to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the historic heist in 1963. The Robbers’ Tale which premiered on BBC One, tells the story of the gang led by Bruce Reynolds (played by Luke Evans) whose audacious crime secured huge wealth and the wrath of the Establishment. The Coppers’ Tale, part two in the series, recounts the story of Tommy Butler (played by Jim Broadbent) and the crack team of detectives he assembled in his relentless quest to bring the robbers to justice.

Production offices for The Great Train Robbery were based at Studio 81 on Kirkstall Rd, Leeds. Locations that feature in the two dramas include: Leeds City Centre – including The Adelphi Pub, The Calls, Briggate, Hyde Park Picture House; Keighley and Worth Valley Railway; Bradford City Centre; Bradford City Hall; Buttershaw; Shipley; Howarth; Filey and Goole.

Cast

Cast for film 1 ( ‘The Robbers’ Tale’ ) includes Luke Evans (Tamara Drewe, The Three Musketeers, Clash of the Titans), Jack Roth (Bedlam, Great Expectations), Neil Maskell (Utopia, The Football Factory), Paul Anderson (The Sweeney, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, The Firm), Martin Compston (Line of Duty, Monarch of the Glen, Sweet Sixteen), Del Synnott (The Silence, Murphy’s Law, Princess of Thieves) and Jack Gordon (Panic Button).

Oscar and BAFTA award-winner Jim Broadbent (Exile, Cloud Atlas, Iris, The Iron Lady, Moulin Rouge) stars as Tommy Butler in film two (‘The Coppers’ Tale’ ). Other cast include Robert Glenister (Hustle), Tom Chambers (Waterloo Road), Tim Pigott-Smith (The Hour), Tom Beard (Hunted), James Wilby (Titanic) and James Fox (Charlie And The Chocolate Factory).

Produced by World Productions for BBC 1 and Screen Yorkshire, the Directors are Julian Jarrold (The Girl, Appropriate Adult) and James Strong (United, The Best Possible Taste, Broadchurch) and the Writer is Chris Chibnall (United, Broadchurch). Reuniting the team behind World’s acclaimed United is Producer Julia Stannard (The Awakening, Falcon) with Executive Producer Simon Heath (Line of Duty, The Fear).