A new historical crime drama titled The Man Who Stole Portugal is officially moving into production with an impressive cast lineup led by James Nelson-Joyce and Emily Fairn. Joining them are acclaimed actors Richard E. Grant and Dominic West in key supporting roles.
Directed by Thomas Napper and written by Richard Galazka, the film is inspired by the real-life story of Alves dos Reis, the mastermind behind one of the largest banking frauds in history. The movie adapts the true-crime book by Murray Teigh Bloom and explores the remarkable events surrounding the 1925 Bank of Portugal scandal.
Production is currently underway across multiple international locations including the United Kingdom, Portugal, and South Africa. The project will also be introduced to international buyers during the upcoming Cannes Film Festival by Beta Cinema, which is handling worldwide sales.
In the film, Nelson-Joyce portrays Alves dos Reis, a determined outsider driven by ambition and the desire to secure a better future for his family. Through forged documents, manipulation, and calculated deception, Reis rises from humble beginnings into elite financial circles, eventually orchestrating a massive counterfeit scheme that shook Portugal’s banking system.
Emily Fairn plays Maria, Reis’ wife, while Richard E. Grant and Dominic West portray influential figures connected to the unfolding fraud. Additional cast members include Joel Fry, Herbert Nordrum, Kim Bodnia, and Nia Towle.
Director Thomas Napper explained that the story resonates strongly with modern audiences because it focuses on social inequality, ambition, and the struggle for access to power. Rather than aiming to destroy the system, the central character seeks acceptance within it, making the narrative both entertaining and socially relevant.
Combining elements of dark comedy, historical drama, and suspense, The Man Who Stole Portugal is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing upcoming period crime films in international cinema.