THE BIG REVEAL
Showtime just dropped the curtain on its forthcoming crime drama ‘Heist 88,’ starring none other than two-time Emmy winner Courtney B. Vance. The show will make its initial splash on Paramount+ on September 29, followed by a Showtime premiere on October 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. First announced nearly 12 months ago, the drama dives into the remarkable true tale that influenced one of the largest, most audacious heists in U.S. banking history. Vance steps into the shoes of Jeremy Horne, a character loosely inspired by real-life criminal Armand “The Chairman” Moore. Horne is a charismatic genius who can pretty much get anyone to march to the beat of his drum. His master plan? To assemble a team of young bank workers and nab a staggering $80 million by exploiting the bank’s wire system in a time before cybersecurity became a household term.
First glimpses of the show offer a flip side of Vance, who is usually seen donning the hat of the good guy. Known for his roles as Franklin Roberts in ’61st Street’ and the iconic Johnnie Cochran in ‘The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,’ Vance usually graces our screens as the courtroom crusader. But in ‘Heist 88,’ he’s orchestrating a full-on attack on a bank. Decked out in a dapper suit and flanked by a projector showcasing critical data, Vance looks every bit the “Chairman” he’s inspired by, and nothing like your garden-variety crook.
Image courtesy of Showtime.
Who’s Keeping Vance Company in ‘Heist 88’?
Produced under the Bassett Vance Productions umbrella, in association with MTV Entertainment Studios and Gunpowder & Sky, ‘Heist 88’ is a star-studded affair. Vance shares the screen with familiar co-stars including Keesha Sharp from ‘American Crime Story,’ who plays Jeremy’s romantic and cunning political consultant Bree Barnes. Bentley Green from ’61st Street’ takes on the role of Jeremy’s overconfident DJ nephew, Marshall King. The ensemble is rounded off by Keith David as Jeremy’s guiding mentor Buddha Ray, Xavier Clyde portraying the fed-up bank research geek Danny Pugh, Nican Robinson as an aspiring stockbroker Rick Windom, and Precious Way as the ever-enthusiastic but not-yet-visible employee LaDonna Sanders.
The screenplay is the brainchild of ‘Minor Adjustments’ series creator Dwayne Johnson-Cochran, who has been laboring in concert with Vance and Bassett for years to bring ‘Heist 88’ to our screens. Initially conceptualized as a series for FX and subsequently HBO, the project eventually found its home as a feature film when Bassett Vance Productions inked a deal with MTV Entertainment.
So mark your calendars for September 29 if you’re itching for a first look on Paramount+ with Showtime, followed by its small-screen debut on October 1. While we twiddle our thumbs and wait, a trailer is expected to drop in the near future. In the meantime, you can catch Vance in a teaser for ’61st Street.’
So, folks, if you’re keen on seeing Vance swap his law books for blueprints, ‘Heist 88’ is the crime drama you’ve been waiting for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Heist 88 premiere
When is the premiere date for ‘Heist 88’?
‘Heist 88’ is set to premiere exclusively on Paramount+ on September 29, followed by a linear television debut on Showtime on October 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Who is the star of ‘Heist 88’?
The drama features two-time Emmy winner Courtney B. Vance as the lead, playing Jeremy Horne, a character inspired by real-life criminal Armand “The Chairman” Moore.
Is ‘Heist 88’ based on a true story?
Yes, ‘Heist 88’ is inspired by the incredible true story of one of the most audacious heists in the history of the U.S. banking system. The story revolves around the theft of nearly $80 million.
Who are the other notable actors in ‘Heist 88’?
The show features a star-studded ensemble that includes Keesha Sharp, Bentley Green, Keith David, Xavier Clyde, Nican Robinson, and Precious Way in various roles.
What role does Courtney B. Vance play in the show?
Courtney B. Vance plays Jeremy Horne, the criminal mastermind behind the heist. This is a departure from his usual roles as a lawyer or legal advocate.
Who directed ‘Heist 88’?
The show is directed by Menhaj Huda.
Who are the producers of the show?
‘Heist 88’ is produced by Vance along with Angela Bassett through their Bassett Vance Productions banner, in collaboration with MTV Entertainment Studios and Gunpowder & Sky.
Was ‘Heist 88’ originally supposed to be a series?
Yes, the project originally began as a television series conceptualized for FX and later HBO. However, it eventually transformed into a feature film.
When can we expect the trailer for ‘Heist 88’?
While there’s no confirmed date, a trailer is expected to be released soon.
Where can I catch a preview of Courtney B. Vance’s other work?
You can see Vance in a teaser for ’61st Street,’ another drama where he plays a more familiar role as a courtroom advocate.
More about Heist 88 premiere
- Official Showtime ‘Heist 88’ Page
- Paramount+ Original Shows
- Courtney B. Vance IMDb Profile
- Menhaj Huda IMDb Profile
- Keesha Sharp IMDb Profile
- True Crime Stories That Inspired Movies
- Bassett Vance Productions
- MTV Entertainment Studios
- Gunpowder & Sky Official Site
- The Real-life Heists That Shook America
10 comments
Dressed in a suit and planning a heist, Vance is gonna be the new Ocean’s Eleven in this, mark my words.
Vance, Sharp, David, Bassett… this is like the Avengers of crime dramas. Can’t. Wait.
Showtime and Paramount+? Guess i have to sub to both now just to catch this first. The struggle is real, guys.
Heist in a “pre-cybersecurity era”? Can’t wait to see the old-school hacks they’re gonna use. none of that modern computer mumbo jumbo lol.
Keesha Sharp and Bentley Green reuniting with Vance? That’s like a TV show family reunion! Can’t wait!
Sept 29 marked on the calender! anyone know when the trailer drops?
Angela Bassett’s involved in producing? Say no more, this is gonna be quality stuff for sure.
a real-life heist story, count me in! does anyone kno which true story its based on?
Wow, can’t believe Vance is switchin sides from a lawyer to a criminal mastermind. This is gonna be epic!!1!
was hyped when i heard it was supposed to be a series, but a feature film? Thats cool too, I guess. Just hope they do justice to the real-life events.