Fingersmith is a three-part BBC mini-series that was televised in 2005.
The story is an adaptation of Sarah Waters' 2002 novel of the same name and follows a con man who plans to seduce and defraud a wealthy heiress with the help of a young orphaned woman. Directed by Aisling Walsh, it stars Sally Hawkins, Imelda Staunton, Elaine Cassidy, Rupert Evans and Charles Dance.
The mini-series was nominated for Best Drama Serial at the 2006 British Academy Television Awards. The series was re-edited from three 60-minute episodes into two 90-minute episodes for release on DVD and international syndication.
Plot
Since she was orphaned, Sue Trinder (Sally Hawkins) has been brought up amongst thieves and charlatans. She has been protected and cared for by Mrs Sucksby (Imelda Staunton) and taught to become a fingersmith (a pickpocket). But when Mrs Sucksby's old friend Richard Rivers (Rupert Evans), known as Gentleman, offers 20-year-old Sue £2,000 to assist him in one of his scams, she cannot resist.