close
close
  • February 14, 2025
Thriller based on the Northern Bank robbery, to be filmed in Belfast and Dublin – The Irish News

Thriller based on the Northern Bank robbery, to be filmed in Belfast and Dublin – The Irish News

A new film based on the 2004 film Northern shore heist will begin shooting in Belfast and Dublin in the new year.

No Ordinary Heist is described as a “gripping new Irish thriller, inspired by the biggest cash heist in British and Irish history”.

The film, produced by the recently launched Picture Locked Productions, will begin shooting in January and will star a British actor Eddy Marsan alongside Cork’s Éanna Hardwicke.

Eddie Marsan spoke about his son's tourettes on BBC Breakfast
Eddie Marsan pictured at the 2024 Baftas in London. PHOTO: IAN WEST/PA (Ian West/PA)

Written by Aisling Corristine, the film is directed by Colin McIvor, director of the 2018 film Zoo. Based on the true story of attempts to save a baby elephant at Belfast Zoo during the Second World War.

The Northern Bank robbery remains the largest bank robbery to date in Britain and Ireland. In December 2004, £26.5 million was stolen.

Gunmen took over the homes of two bank employees, who were forced to go to work and load stolen money into a van while their families were held hostage.

One of the men was later charged in connection with the robbery, but was acquitted after a trial in 2008. Charges against three other suspects were dropped.

The robbery was blamed on the Provisional IRA and threatened to derail the peace process and efforts to restore power-sharing at Stormont, which had collapsed in 2002.



A description of the film states that it will be a “gripping fictional story of two bank employees caught up in a chilling scheme.”

“Forced to stage a £26.5 million heist to save their families, they must carry out the crime without the gang ever setting foot inside the bank,” it adds.

Director Colin McIvor said: “For Aisling and me, it was always the human story behind this truly extraordinary, complex and terrifying event that appealed, and the fact that it was all happening on my doorstep only added to that cinematic appeal. And so, inspired, we wanted to use this event as the basis for our fictional drama.

Ruth Carter and Johanna Hogan, the duo behind Picture Locked Productions, said in a joint statement: “This is an exciting collaboration between incredibly talented professionals. After twenty years of working together on various projects, forming Picture Locked felt like the natural next step.

“With No Ordinary Heist, we are thrilled to be working with Damon Lane and Colin McIvor to bring this gripping story to life. With such a great cast, a compelling script and a talented director, we are excited to begin filming in January 2025 – coinciding with the twentieth anniversary of this remarkable event in December 2024.