To Be A King – November 26, 1983 – The episode opens with a police raid. Masked men force Brink’s-Mat security guards, Ralph “Ralphie” Turner (Tom Meeten) and Freddie Hook (Kieron Jecchinis) into a room with a vault. When Ralphie claims to have forgotten the combination, one of the suspects covers him with what appears to be a flammable liquid. Another man threatens him with a lighter. The suspects fled in a white van.

The Flying Squad, DC Nicki Jennings (Charlotte Spencer) and Tony Brightwell (Emun Elliott) are working on an assignment when she receives a report of an armed robbery at Brink’s-Mat warehouse on the Heathrow International Trading Estate.

Kenneth “Kenny” Noye (Jack Lowden) tells an unknown caller that he can dispose of gold. The man is outside his home to transport to an undisclosed location.

A young Policeman Jack (George Russo) informs Jennings and Fordham that six suspects took a lot of gold that wasn’t stored inside a vault. Freddie denies any connection to the robbery. Jennings reminds him that his partner’s meltdown kept the suspects from accessing the vault. Freddie says there was so much gold, it wouldn’t fit in the vault before assuring them that they had no idea it was there.

Security guard, Robert Wright (Josef Altin) shows Brightwell and Jennings where he was when the suspects fled. Brightwell suggests he saw the suspects flee in the van through the window. Changing his story several times, Wright wedges himself between two lockers, facing the wall.

Micky McAvoy (Adam Nagaitas) and Brian “Colonel” Robinson (Frankie Wilson) transport Kenny to a South London storage unit. Brian questions his ability to shift gold. Kenny claims the hooky watch scheme is just a front to keep the cops from drawing suspicion. Brian points out that he’s never heard of him. Kenny says the public only hears about the ones who get caught. Brian suggests they shift the gold themselves. Kenny asks how he plans on doing it. Brain says a Basildon pawnshop owner owes him a favor. After reminding him of three tons of gold needing to be put back into the market, Kenny says the only two people who can do it directly don’t live in Basildon.

CS Cath McLean (Amanda Drew) and Assistant Commissioner Gordon Stewart (Peter Davidson) inform DCI Brian Boyce (Hugh Bonneville) that he wasn’t chosen for head of counter-terrorism. When they ask him to head the Flying Squad, he refuses until the Brink’s-Mat robbery comes up.

Gordon Parry (Sean Harris) offers Edwyn Cooper (Dominic Cooper) a major investment opportunity.

Boyce informs Jennings and Brightwell that he’s taking over the Brink’s-Mat case.

Jackie McAvoy (Lily Knight) warns Micky about Kenny. After reminding her that every cop in London is looking for the gold, he says Kenny has references. She assures him that he’ll never need to pull another heist if everything goes as planned. He tells her that Kenny isn’t a builder.

Isabelle Cooper (Ruth Bradley) tells Edwyn that her parents are coming for a visit. He gives his son, George (Rafi Phillips) advice while straightening his tie.

Jennings tells Brightwell that the guard is responsible.

Kenny tells John “Goldfinger” Palmer (Tom Cullen) that the gold is valued at £27 million. He says their job would be to make the gold legitimate. It takes some convincing before John agrees to help shift the gold.

Jennings and Brightwell suggest to Boyce that Wright participated in the Brink’s-Mat heist. Boyce reminds him that the suspects nearly put his eye out. Brightwell tells him that Wright didn’t give them any reason to hit him. She says it may have been staged to show the cops that he’d been hit.

John greets his wife, Marnie Palmer (Stefanie Martin).

Parry tells Edwyn about his plan to acquire and rezone the wharves in an underdeveloped area near the river. Edwyn asks what he needs to make it happen. Parry says, “Proper money for proper reward.”

Jennings and Brightwell question Wright about the Brink’s-Mat robbery. Wright lived in the Silwood Estate in Rotherhithe. He immediately asks for an attorney. His wife is Carol Robinson Wright. Jennings asks if Carol is Brian Robinson’s sister. Boyce suggests Micky McAvoy is responsible for the robbery. Wright immediately becomes defensive and asks for a lawyer. Boyce tells him to hire his own lawyer, one he can trust.

Boyce tells Brightwell and Jennings when to omit the suspects’ names from the search warrants. Jennings asks if he’s putting them on the case. He reads the stipulations before walking away.

Edwyn watches as Henry (Richard Durden) teaches his son how to play cricket.

Palmer shows Al (Anil Desai) a gold bullion. After close inspection, Al says it’s a bit rough. Palmer agrees to reduce the normal price by 20%.

Boyce leads a raid on Micky’s house. Jackie refuses to give them Micky’s location.

Mary (Miranda Bell) compliments Edwyn and Isabelle for their beautiful home. Henry says anything for his daughter. Isabelle informs Henry of Edwyn’s plan to install a driveway on the property. He refuses to let them go through with it.

Palmer speaks in code to Kenny. He suggests hiring a team to shift the gold and paying people to look the other way. Kenny assures him that people will do anything for gold. Palmer says they need someone who helps run the country.

Edwyn suggests to Isabelle that they sell their home to pay back Henry and buy a bigger house. Isabelle assures him that his property-flipping hobby won’t support it. He says his other project needs seed money which could come from their trust fund. She informs him that any withdrawal over $100K needs Henry’s signature. He decides to seek another alternative.

Micky flees from the police but is caught a short distance away. Boyce scolds Brightwell for his poor physical fitness before demanding he joins him on a 4-mile run tomorrow.

Edwyn informs Parry that he can’t secure the funding for his project. Parry invites him to lunch to discuss their other option.

Wright picks Brian Robinson (Frankie Wilson) out of the lineup. Robinson threatens him with death. Micky punches Wright when he gives him up.

Parry takes Noye to meet Edwyn. Noye asks if he’d be interested in helping his `acquaintances make a lot of money respectable. Edwyn agrees to a 25% commission for one million weekly.

Micky refuses to give up the names of the four men involved in the robbery.

Boyce asks Jennings if she has a problem with his nicking her father. She assures him that it isn’t an issue.

Micky calls Noye from the jail to say he’s given up what was his. Boyce, Jennings, and Brightwell arrive at the storage unit where the gold is stored. Micky hopes he hasn’t taken the gold. Noye says it was never his to take. An officer raises the door to find the storage unit empty. Noye assures him that he’s ready to take control as the episode comes to an end.

 

The Gold Review

I didn’t bother writing a synopsis because the show only schemes off the top of Brink’s-Mat heist story. The cast was oversaturated with fictional characters, bogging up precious airtime. Edwyn was given credit for Gordon Parry’s straw company scheme and London Docklands land acquisition to recycle the funds.

Less than 30 minutes of the pilot episode was dedicated to the heist. The legitimacy of the story is questionable as much of how it played out and the gold recycled is still unknown.

Brink’s-Mat security guard, Anthony “Tony” Black (portrayed as Robert Wright) was involved with Robinson’s sister. Black was on a so-called bathroom break when he let the robbers into the depot. Under the threat of being burnt alive, a beaten security guard, Michael Souse opened the vault (Mirror interview).

The show strays away from the true story. The shaky, jerky camera makes for a very frustrating viewing experience. The episode deserves a 5. Get more The Gold recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Ask about our onsite advertising.

 

The Gold Cast

• Brian Robinson (Frankie Wilson)
• Charlie Miller (Sam Spruell)
• Micky McAvoy (Adam Nagaitis)
• Freddie Hook (Kieron Jecchinis)
• DCI Brian Boyce (Hugh Bonneville)
• DC Nicki Jennings (Charlotte Spencer)
• Kenneth “Kenny” Noye (Jack Lowden)
• John Palmer (Tom Cullen)
• Tony Brightwell (Emun Elliott)
• Robert Wright (Josef Altin)
• Gordon Parry (Sean Harris)
• Edwyn Cooper (Dominic Cooper)
• Brian Reader (James Nelson-Joyce)
• CS Cath McClean (Amanda Drew)
• Harry Carson (Silas Carson)
• Archie Osbourne (Daniel Ings)
• Kathleen Meacock (Sophia La Porta)
• Freddie Hook (Kieron Jecchinis)
• Garth Chappell (Robin Laing)

Where Was The Gold Filmed

Filming locations for The Gold include Glenside at the Adelaide Studios and Flinders Rangers in Australia.

Where To Watch The Gold

The Gold premiered on BBC on February 12, 2023.