British star Gemma Arterton is about to hit our screens in the much-anticipated series Culprits, a unique twist on the classic heist genre. She plays Dianne, a glamorous yet cold-hearted mastermind, alongside an ensemble cast in a gritty thriller that doesn’t just explore the heist itself but dives deep into the lives of those involved after the big crime. In an interview, Gemma reveals why Culprits is a ‘no-brainer’ of a project.
Describing the show, Gemma says, ‘Culprits is a fun thriller that picks up where most crime thrillers end—after the heist, when the crew has dispersed and they’re all living separate lives.’ The series promises intense plot twists, she adds, ‘with a lot of edge-of-your-seat stuff and timeline jumping. You’re trying to work out what’s actually going on as you go along, which is always satisfying.’
Culprits creator J Blakeson’s fresh take on the genre struck a chord with Gemma. ‘I watched loads of heist shows, but Culprits isn’t cheeky like most,’ she shares. ‘There’s dark humour and grit, but we also really get to know the characters over the eight episodes.’
Reuniting with Director J Blakeson
Having collaborated with Culprits creator J Blakeson on The Disappearance of Alice Creed, Gemma says working with him again was a long time coming. ‘J and I have been trying to find something to do together for years,’ she explains. ‘He knows exactly what he wants, and his love for old movies and noir shines through. His style is unique in the UK—it feels almost like an American show, heightened and visually exciting.’
Playing Dianne: A ‘Brain’ in Heels
Gemma dives into her character, Dianne, a criminal strategist with a taste for luxury and power. ‘She’s incredibly good at planning and is almost like a mafia boss,’ she laughs. ‘She’s got all these dangerous people around her but doesn’t like to get dirty herself. She loves the high life—J even described her as ‘like Madonna.’’
Known for her glamorous wardrobe, Dianne’s look is striking, thanks to designer Ian Fulcher. ‘J wanted her to look iconic, almost Katharine Hepburn-esque,’ says Gemma. ‘My favourite outfit was a pink suit with a big coat—a bold, powerful look.’
Yet beneath Dianne’s tough exterior lies a complex motivation. ‘She’s deep in the crime world, revered and feared,’ Gemma explains. ‘But as the story unfolds, you realize her reasons for being in it are very personal. She’s got a steeliness but also a soft core, which was fun to play.’
More Than Just a Heist Drama
Though the show revolves around a high-stakes robbery, Culprits is more character-driven than a typical heist story. ‘We have time to really explore each character’s different sides,’ says Gemma. ‘The heist itself takes place over the series, with new bits slotting in and new details that keep you guessing. But mostly, it’s about the aftermath, which is very different to usual heist movies.’
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