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There is a series of Crookhaven novels, which were written by author JJ Arcanjo. The first book in the series, titled Crookhaven: The School For Thieves was published in 2022. Since then, there have been four sequel adventures, The Forgotten Maze, The Island Heist, The Impossible Fortress and The Thieves’ Revenge.
We're hoping that means that we'll get a second series of Crookhaven!
Set within the walls of a secret school for young crooks, the show turns the traditional high school story on its head.
At Crookhaven, students aren’t trained to follow the rules, they're taught to outsmart villains, outwit criminals and use their talents to restore balance and justice to the outside world.
At the heart of the story is Gabriel Avery, a gifted pickpocket recruited into this hidden world, where he finds himself locked in fierce competition with Penelope Lockett (Carmel Laniado) - the brilliantly talented daughter of the school’s formidable headmaster (Dougray Scott).
As eight talented international students battle for the legendary Crooked Cup, a shadowy enemy known as the Nameless threatens to tear the school apart from within…
Sharp-witted and armed with a near-photographic memory, Gabriel Avery has survived most of his life by relying on his instincts, and his talent for light-fingered theft.
Raised by the woman he calls Grandma (Julie Hesmondhalgh) - although they’re not related by blood, she remains his anchor and greatest motivation.
Gabriel projects confidence and defiance, using humour and attitude as armour, but beneath that guarded exterior is someone deeply compassionate.
Although Gabriel is used to looking out only for himself, he gradually discovers what it means to trust others.
As the headmaster’s (Dougray Scott) daughter, Penelope Lockett carries the weight of generations on her shoulders.
Focused, formidable and fiercely intelligent, she pushes herself relentlessly in pursuit of excellence.
With a family legacy steeped in Crookhaven history – and a mother (Claire Forlani) famed for her mastery of deception currently away on a classified mission – Penelope feels compelled to live up to an almost impossible standard.
Although she initially clashes with Gabriel (Lucas Leach), their rivalry evolves into a charged and unexpected friendship that challenges them both.
One half of the self-styled ‘Brothers Crim’, Ade Okoro is a gifted hacker with boundless energy and enthusiasm.
Tech-obsessed and proud of it, he and his twin Ede (Sani Thabo) were recruited to Crookhaven after catching the attention of teacher Whisper (Genesis Lynea) online.
Ade is the louder, flashier twin. He’s quick to talk, quick to boast, and always ready with hype, even when his confidence outweighs his actual cool. Beneath the bravado, though, he’s fiercely loyal, and never far from thoughts of his mum’s cooking.
The quieter and more contemplative half of the ‘Brothers Crim’, Ede Okoro is the strategist of the duo.
Thoughtful, clever and perpetually hungry, he’s usually the one coming up with the plans, while Ade (Amari Bacchus) provides the noise.
When Ede develops feelings for a fellow student, he finds himself out of his depth, despite his brother’s enthusiastic (if misguided) romantic advice.
The twins are rarely apart, and when tensions briefly divide them, they each realise how incomplete they feel on their own.
Devoted and self-sacrificing, Gabriel’s (Lucas Leach) Grandma raised him with unwavering love despite their difficult circumstances.
She scrapes by in an underpaid, exhausting job, for which she is paid off the books, unable to risk official employment because of a secret she carries.
She dreams only of a better future for Gabriel and beams with pride at his acceptance into a prestigious school, blissfully unaware of its true nature.
Headmaster Caspian Lockett represents the old-school ethos of Crookhaven.
A firm believer in tradition and order, he upholds the institution’s long-standing code – at least on the surface.
Beneath his composed exterior lies a highly skilled strategist who knows exactly how to influence staff, students and even his own daughter, Penelope (Carmel Laniado). As Head of the global Crooked Network, his authority stretches far beyond the school grounds, maintaining a delicate equilibrium between criminality and control.
However, Caspian’s judgment is clouded by one deeply personal mission: rescuing his wife Carmen (Claire Forlani) from the Nameless.
In pursuit of that goal, he is prepared to bend principles, and potentially risk everything Crookhaven stands for.
As Crookhaven’s formidable Head of Security, Erasmus Sisman runs a tight ship.
He’s gruff, disciplined and deeply loyal, and views any threat to the school as a personal challenge. Leading his team of guards – known as the Gardeners – Sisman patrols with relentless determination.
Once someone lands on his radar, he does not let go easily. Played by Keith Allen
A Crook of exceptional ability, Carmen is both Penelope’s mother and a legend in her own right.
Currently away on a covert assignment, her influence remains strong. Ambitious and razor-sharp, she trained Penelope (Carmel Laniado) rigorously from a young age, balancing high expectations with fierce love.
To Carmen, preparation is protection, and weakness is never an option.