Jamie Dornan and Anthony Mackie face off in the international cat-and-mouse heist series 12 12 12, which debuts on Apple TV on Friday, November 13.
The eight-episode crime drama centres on an epic bank vault raid deep beneath the streets of Zurich, according to Digital Spy.
The series splits its narrative across three distinct timelines, tracking 12 months of planning, 12 hours of execution, and 12 days of aftermath. The Guardian reported that the heist revolves around $800 million in Swiss notes, requiring a massive underground drill and a diverted subway train.
“The 12-hour timeline is the most fun one. The contortionist, an unaccounted for mercury tilt switch in the floor of the vault, a big underground drill, a diverted subway train for the literal ton of cash, an Alpine retreat and jet-skis aplenty – none of the suavity of Thomas Crown's affairs perhaps, but just as much satisfaction.Gotcha? Mackie closes in … Photograph: Adrienn SzaboDominating the 12-hour” Mackie said.
“A high-asset robbery, professionally conceived, is 12 months in planning, 12 hours in execution. A bank robber who is not caught within 12 days is not caught at all,” Mackie’s character Jack Strickland explains at the top of each episode, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter.
Critics offer divisive reviews of the series
Early reviews for the series have proven divisive among critics, with some publications labeling the project slick while others considered it silly. The Hollywood Reporter described the narrative trajectory as lurching from promising to disappointing across its run.
Collider observed that while the planning phase paints a compelling portrait, the execution timeline stumbles because viewers already know the thieves make it out of the vault. Meanwhile, The Irish Times called the project an agreeably clichéd thriller that does not have a single original idea in its eight episodes.
“Apple TV's gimmicky heist drama is trying too hard” Radio Times said.
“12 12 12 does not have a single original idea in its eight episodes. This turns out to be one of the best things about it,” The Irish Times reported, noting clear echoes of the dynamic between Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in Heat.
Character dynamics and performances
Dornan stars as career criminal Paul Galvin, who attempts to pull off one last score to protect his family after his brother Bobby accumulates dangerous gambling debts. Mackie portrays Jack Strickland, an embittered and grieving FBI agent hunting the Galvin brothers across Zurich.
The cast also includes Agathe Rousselle as Paul’s fiancée Severine, José Garcia as the tunneller Serge, and Jack Kesy as Bobby Galvin. The Irish Times highlighted Dornan’s performance as one of the strongest turns of his career.
Frequently asked questions about the series
When does 12 12 12 premiere on streaming?
The series premieres on Apple TV on Friday, November 13, with all eight episodes dropping for subscribers.
Who created and directed the Apple TV drama?
The show was created and executive produced by Dudi Appleton and Jim Keeble, with Kari Skogland directing multiple episodes.
What is the core premise behind the title numbers?
The title refers to the show’s structural premise that a major robbery takes 12 months to plan, 12 hours to execute, and leaves a 12-day window for law enforcement to make an arrest before the suspects escape.
The series premieres on Apple TV on Friday, November 13.
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