Éanna Hardwicke Embraces West Belfast Culture for ‘No Ordinary Heist’ Role
The December 2004 Northern Bank robbery in Belfast remains one of the most notorious thefts in British and Irish history. Thieves took an estimated £26.5m, and no one was ever prosecuted. Filmmakers have used the mystery as inspiration for a tense new drama set in Belfast.
About the film
No Ordinary Heist is directed by Colin McIvor. The screenplay was co-written by McIvor and Aisling Corristine. The movie frames the real heist as the backdrop for a tiger kidnapping-driven story.
Plot and stakes
The film follows two bank employees forced to steal cash while their loved ones are held hostage. Barry is a porter. Richard is the branch manager. Each man must protect the other’s family to survive.
High-stakes conditions
The fictional job requires them to remove almost £30m from the bank. A crime boss, Gravel, and his armed team control the situation. The pressure forces the pair into an uneasy alliance.
Cast and characters
- Éanna Hardwicke as Barry, the bank porter.
- Eddie Marsan as Richard, the branch manager.
- Patrick O’Kane as Gravel, the crime boss.
- Andrea Irvine as Barry’s mother.
- Eva Birthistle as Richard’s wife.
- Michelle Fairley as Mags and Paddy Jenkins as Jim.
Production and location
The film was shot in Belfast. Key sequences were filmed inside a genuine Victorian bank vault. The vault’s dark, confined conditions shaped several intense scenes.
Actors staying in character
Both leads maintained Belfast accents while filming. Éanna Hardwicke Embraces West Belfast Culture for ‘No Ordinary Heist’ Role. He spent time with friends and worked closely with dialect coach Brendan Gunn.
Hardwicke on the script and collaborators
Éanna Hardwicke read the screenplay at Christmas 2024. He was drawn to its focus on human consequence rather than a full retelling of the true crime. He praised the way the story concentrates on emotional responses under extreme pressure.
Hardwicke also singled out Eddie Marsan as an exhilarating scene partner. He admired Marsan’s ability to shift between heavy drama and unexpected humor. The pair kept each other supported during difficult shoots.
Awards and background
Hardwicke won a Best Actor prize at this year’s Irish Film and Television Awards for his turn in Saipan. He had earlier won Best Supporting Actor at the 2024 IFTAs for The Sixth Commandment. Steve Coogan accepted the recent award on Hardwicke’s behalf due to the actor’s theatre commitment in London.
Release details
No Ordinary Heist is now playing in cinemas. The film is rated 15 and runs for 99 minutes. Filmogaz.com will carry further coverage and interviews as the run continues.
