Crooks

When a priceless antique coin resurfaces, rival gangs across Europe close in and retired safecracker Charly Markovic is drawn back into criminal life. Offered one last payday and a sliver of control, Charly pairs with two-bit gangster Joseph Muckstein to plan a high-stakes heist that winds through smoky backrooms, border crossings, and a tangle of loyalties. Samira Treptow, Jonas Markovic, and fixer Hassan Al-Walid bring their own motives, complicating an already risky plan. The series tracks the careful rehearsal, small victories, and growing mistrust among the crew, keeping its focus on character and consequence without revealing the final outcome.

Crooks premiered in 2024, created by Marvin Kren, Benjamin Hessler, and Georg Lippert. It stars Frederick Lau, Christoph Krutzler, Svenja Jung, Jonathan Tittel, and Erdal Yıldız, offering a European spin on the heist format.

Viewer response has been modestly positive, with an average near 7.0 out of 10 from user votes. Audiences and critics often point to themes of loyalty among thieves, the difficulties of aging out of crime, and blurred moral lines. The show balances tense action set pieces with quieter scenes that emphasize relationships, so it lands better for viewers who prefer character-driven crime drama over nonstop spectacle.

Although still recent, Crooks has sparked conversations about continental crime dramas and how they differ from American counterparts, especially in tone and scale. Fans frequently mention the chemistry between Frederick Lau's seasoned criminal and Christoph Krutzler's scrappier partner, and the series' use of European locations has drawn attention to location-driven storytelling, contributing to a small wave of grittier, morally complex heist narratives.

As of early release there are no major awards or high-profile nominations attached to Crooks. That may change with wider exposure, but for now its recognition is mainly through festival screenings and audience word-of-mouth rather than major prize circuits.