Interview: Adrian Lester, HUSTLE

Posted by: Michael

We have a fantastic interview courtesy of AMC with Adrian lester where he talks about his new show HUSTLE. Call them grifters, con artists, thieves, but these are no ordinary petty criminals. They are expert con artists with a higher purpose, proficient at relieving the greediest fat cat of their heavy wallet and off-shore bank accounts. With effortless charm and engaging humor, the stylish gang of slick hustlers perform their scams set against the backdrop of a shiny-bright, unsuspecting London in the new AMC original series HUSTLE, airs every Wednesday, at 10 PM ET/PT. Filmed with cinematic production values, this urban action series' retro vibe, glossy style and light-hearted approach will put the squeeze on you and make you fall for these pros of con. They make bad look real good.

Q: What was your first big break?

Adrian: Primary Colors

Q: How do you think American audiences will respond to HUSTLE?

Adrian: I think just as well as British audiences, if not better. The series shows London in a very different way than one usually sees it on television. Also, the producers wanted to create a sort of mini film, something that forces the viewers to bring their brainpower along for the ride.

Q: Do you think there is a big difference between making a film versus a TV series like HUSTLE, which is stylized like a movie?

Adrian: There is very little difference between making HUSTLE and shooting a film. Many of the same filming techniques are employed.

Q: Has any of the con knowledge that youâ€™ve learned while making HUSTLE been useful in your real life?

Adrian: (Laughs) Yes it has, but Iâ€™m not a con, let me state for the record! It has made me very wary of the places where people can con you, and how they can con you. And how people can come to your door, trying to sell you something or get information and how they can actually get you to keep the door openâ€¦or how they can get into your house to get that information that theyâ€™ll need to help them with their business. Theyâ€™re all con man techniques. Gaining your sympathy, gaining your trust, looking you in the eyes, to be respectful, they are taught in business actually: how to keep your customer on the hook and make sure you donâ€™t lose them at the door.

Q: When reading the script for the pilot, is there any one thing that jumped out at you that made you want this part?

Adrian: I thought the script was very intelligent. It kept me guessing. Not many scripts can do that. Often when you are given a script to read, you can pretty much predict how it is all going to end. With HUSTLE, I couldnâ€™t guess it. I didnâ€™t want to put it down. And I thought, I have to get this one.

Q: Whatâ€™s the most important element in a con?

Adrian: The most important element is finding out what someone wants, and then offering it to them. But while you do that, give them the freedom to walk away. Make them feel like they are making the choice.

Q: Whatâ€™s your favorite con film of all time?

Adrian: The Grifters.

Q: Whatâ€™s it like working with Robert Vaughn?

Adrian: Itâ€™s great. Robert Vaughn is such a gentleman. For all the work heâ€™s done, he has no airs or graces. He just gets down and does the work. Thatâ€™s admired by more than myself.

Q: Do you have any hobbies?

Adrian: I have kids, so I suppose thatâ€™s a good hobby. Also, I am about to take my black belt after I finish this job. I do Tae Kwon Do here in Britain.

Q: Any final thoughts?

Adrian: Donâ€™t try this at home, kidsâ€¦