Season 7
Hustle is a British comedy-drama television series created by Tony Jordan which follows the exploits of a group of British con-artists who specialise in pulling off elaborate operations to dupe their victims.
The series aired in the UK on BBC One from 24 February, 2004 to 17 February, 2012. There are 48 hour-long episodes in eight seasons.
Hustle premiered in South Africa on SABC3 on 13 March 2006, at 21h00. The first three seasons aired on the channel before it lost the rights to the series. The series later aired on DStv's BBC Entertainment (formerly BBC Prime) channel. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times by channel.
Season 7 premiered on BBC Entertainment on Friday 16 November 2012, at 21h00. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are six episodes in the seventh season.
Season 7
The hustlers return with some new, ingenious and totally brilliant plans to teach the filthy rich a lesson and relieve them of some of their ill-gotten wealth.
In the Season 7 premiere:
Albert has three new marks lined up for the five tricksters – arrogant aristocrat Viscount Manley, corrupt MP Jeremy Garret and shady judge Stanley Mead.
The group of hustlers can't decide which mark is most deserving of their special treatment, but when Eddie's niece is caught up in a modelling scam, the choice is made for them...
Wendy Stanton, CEO of Model Devotion, is a failed model, scamming £100,000 each year from naive young girls hoping to make it in the modelling business. Ruthless, hard-nosed and ambitious, Wendy wants to hit the big time and hates parting with money; cue the Hustle gang.
Mickey poses as emerging fashion guru Hilary King, who is launching a new line of women's clothing at Milan Fashion Week. He approaches Wendy looking for a face for the line, deliberately selecting Eddie's niece from the list of potentials.
As the con unfolds, Mickey tries to persuade Wendy to invest a substantial amount of cash into the fashion line with the help of Ash and Sean, who are posing as his business associates.
When Wendy's reluctance to part with money becomes problematic, Emma steps in to play a premium psychic life coach exploiting Wendy's superstitions. She attempts to convince Wendy that investing in the fashion line is her one big opportunity with a few clever tricks.
But will the hustlers succeed and teach Wendy a lesson on behalf of Eddie's niece?
Albert is played by Robert Vaughn, Eddie by Rob Jarvis, Wendy Stanton by Anna Chancellor, Mickey by Adrian Lester, Ash by Robert Glenister, Sean by Matt Di Angelo and Emma by Kelly Adams.
About the Series
Hustle follows the exploits of a group of British con-artists who specialise in pulling off elaborate operations to dupe their victims.
They choose their targets carefully, always adhering to the first rule of the con: "You can't con an honest man." Each week they pull off a complicated scam with several twists.
Sometimes the cons end up in failure, while the episode concentrates on the characters coming to terms with the results of their actions.
Mickey is the group's leader, who comes up with the plans. Albert is a veteran con man who in his later years is a "roper," searching out suitable victims and introducing them to his cohorts.
Ash comes up with all the locations and equipment needed for the cons. Stacie steps in whenever she needs to use her feminine wiles.
The group is rounded off by Danny, a young amateur grifter who Mickey takes under his wing.
Hustle often features cutaway scenes displayed in a separate style from the main part of the show. The episodes often dwell on the psychological aspects of human behaviour and the art of deception based on this knowledge.
Seasons
Note: BBC Prime became BBC Entertainment in 2008
Season 1 (6 episodes)
Channel: SABC3 | Premiere: 13 Mar 2006 | Finale: 17 Apr 2006 | Mondays, 21h00
Channel: BBC Prime | Premiere: 5 Mar 2007 | Finale: 9 Apr 2007 | Mondays, 21h00
Season 2 (6 episodes)
Channel: SABC3 | Premiere: 24 Apr 2006 | Finale: 29 May 2006 | Mondays, 21h00
Channel: BBC Prime | Premiere: 16 Apr 2007 | Finale: 21 May 2007 | Mondays, 21h00
Season 3 (6 episodes)
Channel: SABC3 | Premiere: 23 Apr 2008 | Finale: 28 May 2008 | Wednesdays, 20h31
Channel: BBC Entertainment | Premiere: 10 Mar 2009 | Finale: 14 Apr 2009 | Tuesdays, 20h30
Season 4 (6 episodes)
Channel: BBC Entertainment | Premiere: 2 Nov 2009 | Finale: 7 Dec 2009 | Mondays, 21h30
Season 5 (6 episodes)
Channel: BBC Entertainment | Premiere: 8 Mar 2010 | Finale: 12 Apr 2010 | Mondays, 20h30
Season 6 (6 episodes)
Channel: BBC Entertainment | Premiere: 12 Jun 2011 | Finale: 17 Jul 2011 | Sundays, 20h00
Season 7 (6 episodes)
Channel: BBC Entertainment | Premiere: 16 Nov 2012 | Finale: 21 Dec 2012 | Fridays, 21h00