Brassic
A frenetic, rain-soaked comedy of errors where found-family loyalty battles the relentless pull of chaotic, small-town crime.
Brassic
Brassic

"Trouble sticks together."

22 August 2019 — 25 September 2025 United Kingdom 7 season 49 episode Returning Series ⭐ 8.5 (223)
Cast: Joseph Gilgun, Michelle Keegan, Steve Evets, Tom Hanson, Aaron Heffernan
Drama Crime Comedy
Mental Health and Vulnerability Friendship as Family The Working-Class Struggle Escapism vs. Belonging

Brassic - Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

Vincent "Vinnie" O'Neill

Joseph Gilgun

Archetype: Antihero
Key Trait: Charismatic and Vulnerable

Motivation

Vinnie's primary motivation is to provide for his friends and, later, for his son. He is driven by a fierce loyalty to his found family and a deep-seated desire to prove he can be more than his mental health diagnosis. His love for Erin is a constant motivator, pushing him to try to be a better man, even when he continually falls short.

Character Arc

Vinnie begins as the charismatic, chaotic leader of a criminal gang, whose life is dictated by his bipolar disorder and a desperate need for cash. His arc is a journey toward self-acceptance and responsibility. Initially, he runs from his feelings and the consequences of his actions. Over the seasons, through therapy and his profound love for Erin and their son, Tyler, he learns to manage his mental health more effectively. He evolves from a man defined by his illness and his past into a reluctant but dedicated father and a more stable leader, trying to build a life rather than just survive it.

Erin Croft

Michelle Keegan

Archetype: The Aspirant / The Pragmatist
Key Trait: Ambitious and Protective

Motivation

Erin's unwavering motivation is to create a secure and promising future for her son. This initially translates into a desire for financial stability and a life away from crime. As the series progresses, her motivation evolves to include protecting her friends and building a stable life within the community she once sought to flee.

Character Arc

Erin starts the series determined to escape Hawley with her son, Tyler, viewing the town and the gang's lifestyle as a dead end. Her arc is one of re-evaluating her definition of a 'better life.' Initially seeing Vinnie and the gang as an obstacle, she gradually recognizes their unwavering support as her true safety net. She becomes more embroiled in their schemes but also emerges as the group's moral compass and strategic mind. Her journey is about reconciling her ambition with her deep affection for her roots and the people in her life, particularly Vinnie, as she accepts that her heart belongs in Hawley.

Dylan Golding

Damien Molony

Archetype: The Conflicted Intellectual
Key Trait: Intelligent and Indecisive

Motivation

Dylan is motivated by his love for Erin and his deep-seated loyalty to Vinnie. He's torn between the domestic stability Erin represents and the chaotic brotherhood he shares with Vinnie. This conflicting motivation is his central struggle, as he tries to satisfy both sides of his life, ultimately failing to fully commit to either.

Character Arc

Dylan is Vinnie's best friend and Erin's long-term boyfriend at the start of the series. He is the 'brains' of the operation, often caught between the thrill of the scams and the desire for a normal, legitimate life with Erin. His arc is tragic; he struggles to break free from Vinnie's magnetic pull and the criminal lifestyle. This internal conflict ultimately leads to his departure from the main group, as he is unable to reconcile his two worlds, leaving a void in the gang and in Vinnie's life. He makes a guest appearance in Season 5, showing the lasting consequences of his choices.

Cast

Joseph Gilgun as Vincent "Vinnie" O'Neill
Michelle Keegan as Erin Croft
Steve Evets as Jim
Tom Hanson as Leslie "Cardi" Titt
Aaron Heffernan as Ashley "Ash" Dennings
Parth Thakerar as Jehan "JJ" Jovani
Ryan Sampson as Thomas "Tommo" Schaffner
Dominic West as Dr. Chris Coxley
Bronagh Gallagher as Carol Dennings
Joanna Higson as Mary "Sugar" Jones
Damien Molony as Dylan Golding
Jude Riordan as Tyler Croft
Ramon Tikaram as Terence McCann
Tadhg Murphy as Gary Cullen
Neil Ashton as David "Davey" MacDonagh