Sophie Turner has received widespread critical acclaim for her electrifying performance in the new high-stakes heist thriller Steal, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The 29-year-old actress takes on the central role of Zara Dunne in this six-part series that has captivated audiences and critics alike with its intense narrative and gripping execution.
A Tense Financial Heist Unfolds
The series follows Zara Dunne, an employee at Lochmill Capital, a pension fund investment company based in London's Square Mile. What begins as an ordinary workday transforms into a heart-pounding crisis when armed thieves storm the office, taking employees hostage and forcing Zara and her colleague Luke, played by Archie Madekwe, to execute their sophisticated demands. The criminals, wearing eerie facial prosthetics, manage to steal an astonishing £4 billion in pension funds, setting in motion a complex investigation led by conflicted detective Rhys, portrayed by Jacob Fortune-Lloyd.
Critical Acclaim and Four-Star Reviews
Despite only recently launching, Steal has already garnered impressive reviews from major publications. The Times awarded the series four stars, with critic Times Glanfield describing it as "TV turned up to maximum" and praising its ability to "grip a viewer, up the ante and, most importantly, entertain." Similarly, The Telegraph's Anita Singh highlighted the "brilliantly tense" opening episode, noting the meticulous depiction of the heist's execution across London's financial district.
The Guardian's Lucy Mangan offered particular insight, observing that Steal "finds room for thought" amidst the action, evolving into "a meditation on the notion that the love of money is the root of all evil." She further commented on the series' portrayal of the finance world as one built on gambling with other people's money, where a select few reap disproportionate rewards.
Strong Supporting Cast and Narrative Depth
Turner is supported by a talented ensemble cast including Archie Madekwe, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Andrew Howard, Ellie James, Jonathan Slinger, Harry Michell, and Thomas Larkin. The series, created by S.A. Nikias, has been praised for its sophisticated screenwriting and ability to maintain narrative momentum while exploring deeper themes.
Collider's Therese Lacson noted that Steal successfully combines elements of heist films, government conspiracy thrillers, and traditional suspense dramas, creating "one of the strongest recent showcases of Turner's range as an actor." She described the six-episode miniseries as delivering "twist after twist" while serving as an "ideal binge-watch" that keeps viewers guessing until the final moments.
Comparisons and Distinct Identity
Several critics have drawn comparisons between Steal and other financial dramas, particularly the BBC series Industry. The Financial Times' Rebecca Nicholson observed that the thriller initially appears to pitch itself as "either the new Industry or the new Die Hard," but ultimately "settles somewhere in between" with its blend of conspiratorial action and financial intrigue.
i Paper's Emily Watkins acknowledged these comparisons while arguing that Steal carves out its own identity through "decidedly action-thriller energy" that allows it to "sidestep Industry's long shadow altogether." She particularly highlighted how Zara's monotonous life becomes "suddenly electrified" by the robbery, with suggestions that her character may have deeper involvement than initially apparent.
Consensus on Entertainment Value
Across the critical spectrum, reviewers have consistently praised Steal for its entertainment value and technical execution. Metro's Milo Pope noted the series delivers all the expected thriller elements—"panicked decision-making, gun violence, and a risqué romance"—while crime novelist Sotiris Nikias' screenwriting debut reportedly "absolutely knocked" him "off my seat with an electric opening two episodes."
With multiple four-star ratings and widespread appreciation for Turner's commanding performance, Steal has established itself as a significant addition to Amazon Prime Video's original programming, offering viewers a sophisticated, action-packed exploration of financial crime and personal morality set against the backdrop of London's banking district.
