Most people in our world have faced injustice. More often than not, they simply had to swallow a grudge in silence, not having the ability to "give back." However, deep down I really want someone to come, punish the offenders and restore justice. Humanity has always had such hidden dreams - both in the time of Robin Hood, and today. Therefore, viewers love movies about the noble robbers who punish the rich and help those in need.
The series "Impact"
Knowing this feature, in 2008, TNT launched a trial of thirteen episodes of the new series about the five criminals helping victims of fraud by rich and influential people. The main role in the new project was invited to the legendary Oscar winner Timothy Hatton, as the creators believed that it was he who could perfectly embody the image of the brilliant combinator Nathan Ford. Other important roles were given to lesser-known actors who, after the success of “Impact”, became real stars.
The original name of the Leverage project is literally translated as “means of achieving the goal,” but in Russia the series was broadcast under two names: “Impact” and “Rob the Loot”.
The new television series was so appealing to the audience that it was extended for another four seasons before it was closed. The reason for the closure was a downgrade.
Over the five years of its existence, the film “Impact” has been nominated many times for the Saturn Award in various categories, however, it was able to win only once, in 2013.
Based on the plot of this show, the Leverage: The Roleplaying Game was released in 2010. In it, participants could choose their own character for whom they will play. She became so popular that she won the prize in the same year as the best role-playing game of the year.
Plot
The series talks about Nathan Ford, who was once the best detective to investigate insurance fraud and help insurance companies save millions. But once his son was sick, and the insurance company refused to pay for the boy’s expensive treatment, and he died. Hardly experiencing everything that happened, the main character broke up with his wife, left work and sank to the very social bottom.
Once, a businessman complained to him that his competitors had robbed him, and suggested that Nate lead a team of thieves who should steal his property back for a fee. By agreeing, Ford, along with "colleagues" helped the businessman regain his. But it soon turned out that their employer not only deceived them, but also tried to set them up. Having decided to take revenge, Nathan and his new friends are asked to help them the famous swindler and the thief of works of art Sophie Devereaux. Having come up with a cunning plan, they punish the bastard and earn money. Encouraged by success, new friends decide to help people who have suffered from the actions of the powerful, having an impact on them.
The series tells about five years of their life. Initially, the headquarters of the Robinguds team was in Los Angeles, after which it moved to Portland. For all the time, the heroes had to not only take to the open water and rob the rich, but also organize revolutions, as well as fight with Interpol and other government organizations that dream of catching the Ford team.
There are five regular members in the team: head and brain Nathan Ford, resourceful swindler Sophie Devereaux, martial arts master Eliot Spencer, thief Parker, a risk-taking and suffering from mental disorder, and elusive hacker Alec Hardison.
During the series, two pairs formed among the heroes - Nate and Sophie, as well as Parker and Alec.
Timothy Hatton
The soul of the entire series was the actor who played the role of Nathan Ford. Unlike him, the other actors involved in the project were not so famous. “Impact” was the start of their career.
Hatton first appeared on the screen at the age of five, playing the cameo role of a running boy. The next time he was shot in 1972 in one of the Disney productions, and since 1978, a talented young actor began to regularly appear on television. Having decided to try his hand at the cinema, Timothy did not lose, his first role in the film “Ordinary People” brought him the Golden Globe and the coveted Oscar.
Having achieved success so early, he began to try himself in a variety of projects both on television and in the movies. His next work with Tom Cruise and other novice stars brought new nominations for prestigious awards. Trying to grow professionally, the actor chose complex and diverse roles that were not always appreciated by critics and viewers. Despite all efforts, the career of a young talent remained at the same level. The actor was often invited to appear, but he failed to repeat his first success. Despite the active shooting in the nineties and the beginning of the two thousandth, Timothy managed to try himself as a director in two series, as well as in one film.
The year 2008 was marked for Hatton not only with the release of two films with his participation, but also with the beginning of work on Impact. Over the years of working on it, the actor will not receive many awards, as is often the case with successful series, but thanks to the unexpected success of the project, which was originally planned to be shot only one season, Timothy Hatton was able to remind himself of a new generation of viewers, and also demonstrate that he still capable of much.
After the show closed, Timothy received an offer to star in another project on racial discrimination, American Crime.
Last year, the actor also starred in another TNT series, Public Morality, but due to low ratings, he lasted only one season.
Despite the failures of the last three years, Hatton continues to act in film, and soon a new project with the participation of The Long Home will be released.
Gina bellman
The second most significant character in Impact, after Nate, was Sophie Devereaux, the heroine of Gina Bellman.
Although the actress is considered British, however, among her ancestors were Jews who emigrated from Russia and Poland.
Before the “Impact”, Gina was already quite famous, mainly as a television actress, but it was this series that made her famous all over the world.
The career of the future Sophie Devereaux began in 1982, when she starred in one of the episodes of the television show Into the Labyrinth. Then followed the participation in three more television series, as well as the role of Queen Tamara in the large-scale biblical adaptation of “King David”. However, it was not at all that glorified Gina.
In 1989, Bellman participated in three television series at once. In one of them, Blackeyes, she agreed to star naked. And although critics reacted differently to the actress, the audience really liked her.
After that, her career went up, and she was often invited to episodes of popular television series. She also did not forget about cinema, so, along with British and American films, in 1992 she starred in the famous Slovak drama "All that I love."
Due to her extraordinary and regal appearance in the following years, she was often invited to star in secondary roles. And finally, in 2008, she got the lead role in Impact.
After the closure of the project, Gina Bellman continues to appear in TV shows, and recently tried her hand at the theater stage.
Other project actors
In addition to Hatton and Bellman, other actors contributed to the success of the series. “Impact” could not have been imagined without the courageous Eliot performed by Christian Kane.
Growing up in Texas and considering his ancestors the Indians of the Cherokee tribe, the actor earned the glory of a real cowboy. Thanks to his interesting appearance, from the late nineties he constantly received roles in various television series, and then films. Along with the career of an actor, Kane positioned himself as a musician. Having organized his own group "Kane", he toured with friends in Europe and the USA, and also recorded several albums. It is noteworthy that in one of the episodes of “Impact”, the actor showed his talent by playing his song More Than I Deserve. Having proved himself well in the project “Impact”, after its closure, he got into the new promising series “Librarians”, having received one of the main roles there.
Another discovery of “Impact” can be called the talented actress Beth Risgraph.
Prior to this project, she starred in episodic roles in a variety of TV shows and even several films for ten years. However, she was able to really draw attention to herself by playing the strange but kind Parker. After the project was closed, the actress became quite in demand, starred in several popular TV series (including in the Librarians, along with Kane). And this year, a thriller with Risgraph in the title role called "Uninvited Guests" was released, and although the film has a rather modest budget, the actress was able to show off new facets of her talent in it.
The youngest of all the actors in the series Impact, Aldis (Aldis) Hodge, was able to harmoniously join the team.
He began his career acting in various American television series, and sometimes films, like all his fellow actors. “Impact” was his most striking project. Due to the typical appearance of the African American, he was often invited to shoot, but before participating in the “Impact”, he could not really prove himself. Once in this project, he not only became famous throughout the world, but also became much more in demand in his profession. So, after the closing of the series, he starred in many shows. In addition, this year there will be a film “Jack Reacher: Never Come Back,” where Aldis will play a major role.
Thanks to the unusual embodiment of the classic story about the "robbing" of our generation, the series "Impact" has become very popular and won the love of the audience. However, not only a thoughtful intriguing plot helped him become popular, but also actors who breathed life into the characters. “Impact” made the audience sympathize and dream at the same time. It is a pity that this project did not last so long, it remains to be hoped that the TNT channel will continue to delight its fans with such series.