TREATMENT
Set in the volatile criminal ecosystem of South East England, this bold, darkly comic crime series follows a chaotic network of dealers, opportunists, misfits, and survivors as they claw for power, protection, and purpose in a world where morality is negotiable and survival is everything.
At the centre stands Mike Henderson — a sharp, deeply unstable businessman running a vast drug operation through the cover of a legitimate haulage company. With international connections and the largest network outside London, Mike rules like a modern underworld monarch. Highly intuitive — almost psychic in his ability to read people — he is as psychologically fractured as he is formidable. His greatest threats are not just rival gangs but the relentless inner demons that distort his judgment and fuel his paranoia.
Orbiting Mike’s empire is Dean, an ex-builder and small-time dealer who never had the temperament for serious crime. Out of his depth and morally conflicted, Dean becomes a reluctant cog in Mike’s machine. While others chase power and dark intent, Dean’s goal is simple and almost impossible: survive, keep his soul intact, and find a way back to an ordinary life. His journey provides the emotional counterweight to the brutality of the world around him. His friend Tim struggles to keep him in the light and in this life.
The series unfolds through a motley ensemble of criminals, chancers, outsiders, and strong, complex female figures — each shaped by forces larger than themselves. Beneath the violence and absurdity lies a sharp psychological exploration of power, trauma, and choice. The show examines how war, poverty, abuse, mental illness, PTSD, addiction, and homelessness feed cycles of criminality — without excusing the terrible damage done.
PILOT EPISODE
‘POUND’
Meet Michael. Business man. Crime boss. Overlord. Dark seer. Fractious lunatic. Psychotic. Grieving dad. A truly complex character given to epic rants, demented monologues and sporadic devilishness. In the pilot episode we learn of his problems with the drug trade and other cartels, his legitimate business place and how he handles his underlings. He’s concerned with the actions of Steven, his right hand man, who, we learn, has caused chaos in Sussex some time ago and is a wanted man. We also meet most of his firm’s henchpeople; muscle, lower down bosses, guards and foot soldiers.
We are then introduced to Dean, a rather hapless low level dealer and Mike’s newest recruit. He’s only been on the firm for a few months. He has Mike’s blessing as he reminds Mike of his dead son. So he has a golden pass. Up to a point. Which is missing an appointment with Mike. Sean has managed to get his car impounded, unfortunately with his drug stash still in it. He and his friend Tim endeavour to get it back. However, things don’t quite go to plan. Mainly because the motley collection of lunatics and deviants who work at the car pound. But due to an unforeseen intervention, things come right in the end, but at quite a cost to certain people. A wildly amusing ride that eschews typical British gangster tropes and cliches. Except the good ones.
MOCK UP STILLS
