John Turturro, known for his skillful acting, recently prepared for his role in the crime thriller The Only Living Pickpocket in New York by learning actual pickpocket techniques. The movie, which debuts at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, explores the life of Harry, a seasoned thief whose past misdeeds begin to catch up with him. This latest role adds to Turturro’s ongoing career momentum, highlighted by his current work in Apple TV’s thriller series Severance.
Immersing in the Skills of a Pickpocket
To portray career criminal Harry authentically, Turturro delved deeply into the craft of pickpocketing. He studied David W. Maurer’s 1964 book Whiz Mob: A Correlation of the Technical Argot of Pickpockets with Their Behavior Pattern and trained with Apollo Robbins, a well-known performance artist and expert pickpocket. This preparation helped him master the basics of subtle theft, and he became so confident in his new skill that he even tempted himself to try it in crowded public places.
Turturro described the experience during rehearsals and pre-production, commenting on how the skill felt real enough to tempt him on public transit. Filmmaker Noah Segan shared an anecdote illustrating Turturro’s growing comfort, saying,
“There were days where I would see John or he would call me and go, ‘You know, I was on the 2 Train, just coming back from a game, and I saw somebody and I just thought, you know, I could. I didn’t! But I could…'” – Noah Segan
Notable Cast Joining Turturro in the Thriller
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York features several notable actors alongside Turturro. Steve Buscemi, a frequent collaborator with Turturro and the Coen brothers, joins the cast. They previously appeared together in classics such as Miller’s Crossing, Barton Fink, and The Big Lebowski. Other prominent cast members include Giancarlo Esposito, recognized from Breaking Bad, Tatiana Maslany of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and Victoria Moroles from Teen Wolf.
John Turturro’s Role in ‘Severance’ Continues
Beyond this new thriller, John Turturro is expected to return as Irving Bailiff in the upcoming third season of Severance. Although Turturro has yet to receive the scripts, fans anticipate seeing his character again when filming restarts in April and continues through December, with a likely release scheduled for late 2027. Show creator Dan Erickson hinted at intensified and surprising developments for the new season, adding greater complexity and unpredictability to the story.
Erickson described the writing process with enthusiasm, revealing,
“The feeling I had when we wrote the end of Season 2, where we wrote it and I was like, ‘Oh, my God, people are gonna freak out about this. They’re gonna be mad, they’re gonna be yelling at the TV, but they’re gonna be excited.’ And then a couple of other key moments in Season 2, I got that same feeling. I’ve had that feeling more writing Season 3 than in any previous season.
“I think there are going to be a ton of moments that surprise people and rile people up, and I think it’s going to be weird and funny, and all of the things that hopefully people continue to love about the show.”
– Dan Erickson
Significance of Turturro’s New Role and Upcoming Projects
John Turturro’s intensity in preparing for The Only Living Pickpocket in New York reflects a deep commitment to authenticity that audiences may find gripping. His ability to adopt the mindset and physical skills of a pickpocket adds to his already rich acting palette. With Sundance providing a platform for the film’s debut, Turturro’s portrayal is poised to gain critical attention.
Meanwhile, his continued role in Severance ensures that Turturro remains a compelling presence on-screen, balancing complex characters in multiple high-profile projects. Viewers can expect to see him maintain that blend of suspense and depth in the years ahead, contributing to stories that unsettle and engage.
