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Hustle

Hustle is a British crime drama television series created by Tony Jordan and produced by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hustle is a British crime drama television series created by Tony Jordan and produced by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One. It follows a group of con artists who specialise in elaborate “long cons” and aired for eight series from 2004 to 2012. The series starred Adrian Lester, Robert Glenister, and Robert Vaughn.

Premise

Hustle follows a group of London con artists who target greedy or corrupt marks using carefully planned deceptions. The series is known for its focus on sophisticated “long cons” rather than quick scams.

Production and broadcast

The series was created by Tony Jordan and produced by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One in the United Kingdom. It first aired in 2004 and completed its run in 2012.

Cast and characters

The central cast included Adrian Lester, Robert Glenister, and Robert Vaughn, with later promotion in listings highlighting Mickey Stone, Danny Blue, and Albert Stroller as key figures in the ensemble.

Episodes and run

Hustle ran for eight series and a total of 48 episodes. Episode lists and series breakdowns identify six episodes in each series.

Key facts

  • The series centres on a team of con artists who plan and carry out complex scams.
  • Its premise focuses on “long cons,” a form of extended deception designed to produce higher rewards than simple confidence tricks.
  • The show premiered on BBC One on 24 February 2004 and ended on 17 February 2012.
  • The series ran for eight series, with six episodes per series.
  • Main cast members included Adrian Lester, Robert Glenister, and Robert Vaughn.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hustle about?
It is about a team of con artists who carry out elaborate scams, often targeting greedy or corrupt people.
Who created Hustle?
Hustle was created by Tony Jordan.
When did Hustle first air?
It premiered on BBC One on 24 February 2004.
When did Hustle end?
Its final episode aired on 17 February 2012.
How many episodes does Hustle have?
The series ran for 48 episodes across eight series.
What genre is Hustle?
It is generally classified as a crime drama series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hustle_(TV_series)
    Supports: Series premise, creator, main cast, BBC One broadcast, original run dates
  2. BBC One — https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00c8kgn
    Supports: Official series description as a drama about a team of con artists
  3. BBC One — https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00c8kgn
    Supports: Official broadcaster listing for Hustle Series 1
  4. BBC One — https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00c8kgn
    Supports: Series identification and genre on broadcaster page
  5. BBC One — https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00c8kgn
    Supports: Programme page for the series on BBC
  6. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hustle_episodes
    Supports: Eight series and 48 total episodes
  7. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/hustle
    Supports: Genre, original release period, and premise
  8. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379632/
    Supports: Series dates, genre, and synopsis