Riches (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - See Trouble Coming - full transcript

[music playing]

[Stephen] No-one who knows
anything about Black women

and their commitment
to looking good

would ever think there was anything
high-risk about my ambitions.

[chattering indistinctly]

When I started back then,
I reached out to investors

that I'd read about.

None of them would
lend me a penny.

[laughs]

I imagine they regret that now.

The Black hair and beauty industry
generates upwards of £5 billion



for the UK economy in a year.

Now, everyone is trying to scramble
for a piece of the Black pound.

Usually without involving
any Black people, of course.

[laughs]

What do the kids call that
now? Cultural appropriation.

And that woman, that posh woman

who said that Black models
don't sell magazines...

They never featured us.

And yet, here I am,

finally graced with interest
from your esteemed publication.

[Gavin] Do you believe you were
held back in the early years

because of
discriminatory practices?

What do you think?

- Well, er...
- [Stephen] It's a British specialty,



tying Black people into knots

by asking them again and
again if racism is real.

Why do you think that we
have never been featured? Eh?

A home-grown British
success story like ours?

Do you think that bias
could have been a factor?

Flair And Glory is an outlier in
the landscape, still family-run,

although your children
from the first marriage,

Nina and Simon, they're
not involved. Why is that?

Any more questions?

[theme music playing]

[siren blaring in distance]

[horn hoots]

A toast.

To Nina Richards,

who has just closed the largest
merchandising deal in our history.

- [woman] To Nina!
- [all applaud]

Thank you. Guys,
thank you. Thank you.

[Nina] But this
was a team effort.

I am proud of all of us,

and I cannot wait to show them
what the next level looks like.

[all cheering and applauding]

Everyone, I want you to take
the rest of the day off.

[man] Yay!

That was nice of you.

Oh, I can do nice on occasion.

[chuckles]

[Malcolm] You'll be losing that
"Vice" in Vice President any day now.

Malcolm...

You've earned it.
Seriously, I'm proud of you.

I know you've been
restless, but...

trust me, your future
here is very bright.

[music playing]

[mobile buzzing]

Nina speaking.

[Stephen] Nina, it's
me. It's your father.

How did you get this number?

[Stephen] We need to talk.

We have nothing to talk about.

But you're doing
so well in America.

A chip off the old
block. [chuckles]

- Okay, I'm not doing this. Okay?
- [Stephen] Nina, please.

Where's Nina?

Are you actually still working?

You okay?

Yeah, er, wrong number.

What are you doing here?

Dragging my godchild to a bar...

As an HR professional,

I wanted to ensure the convivial
drinks didn't get out of control.

- [Nina] Mm-hm!
- And I need to have some vicarious fun.

- I would kill for a shot of tequila.
- I'll buy you an iced lemonade.

This is tragic!

[Nina] Come on!

Hell, no. Why do you always
choose the wrong guys?

- I'm not trying to marry him.
- That's the problem right there.

I've gotta save
you from yourself.

- I don't wanna be saved.
- [both laugh]

[knocking on door]

Do you need anything
else tonight?

Go home, Maureen.

You look tired.

'Night, Stephen.

[tense music playing]

[grunts]

Argh!

[gasps]

Maureen... Maur...

[wheezing]

[thuds]

[mobile vibrates]

[sighs]

It's not me.

Hm. Turn it off.

[dance music playing]

- Hi, bring me another bottle, yeah?
- Make it two!

That's £400 a bottle!

[man 1] Better make it
three, then. [chuckles]

- Shall I start a new tab?
- [man 1] Nah, nah, nah, nah.

It's on him, innit?

[woman] Yeah, and five
mojitos or me and the girls.

- [man 2] Mojitos, yeah!
- Can I get you anything?

Nah, I'm good.

You know they're all
rinsing your card, yeah?

Yeah, that's fine.

Hey, what's up?

[Wanda] Gus, Dad collapsed.
Oh, God, I'm at the hospital.

- What?
- Mum's not picking up.

- You need to get here.
- Okay, I'm coming now.

- I'm out!
- Bruv, where are you going?

He's still paying, right?

A truly great smoky eye can
take you from day to night,

without... skipping a beat.

And the Shimmer range

- is my absolute favourite...
- [mobile vibrates]

Oh, shit.

[sighs]

Not today, Satan.

Thank you. Right.

[monitor beeping]

Do you know who that is in there?
Call the consultant and tell them

I would like to speak to them
about my father's care immediately.

Erm, we're monitoring his...

[beeping quickens]

What... What's happening?

He's okay, he's okay.

He's okay, he's okay. Come on.

[fast beeping continues]

[nurse] He's crashing.
You can't be in here.

I'm sorry. Come with me.

- Wanda!
- Mum!

- What happened?
- He collapsed in his office.

Where have you been? I've
been calling you for ages.

Lord Jesus.

- What is happening?
- I'm his wife.

I'll be out to talk
to you shortly.

I promise you, we're doing
the best we can for him.

Okay, get the PADs out!

- Charge with 300.
- [nurse] Charging.

[siren wailing]

Not today, not today, not today.

Jeez!

[blows]

[officer] 0.01. You're
below the limit.

Yeah, so can I go now?

Nice car.

Look, Officer, I need
to get to the hospital.

I just got a call,
my dad collapsed.

Sure. Wait here.

I'm just gonna run the registration
number of this vehicle.

[Gus] This is my car.

I wasn't speeding, and I'm
below the limit. What is this?

Are you refusing to obey a lawful
instruction from an officer?

Wait here.

Mum!

Wanda?

He's dead, Gus. Dad's dead.

[sobbing]

[crying]

Girl! What is happening here?

[woman] Life has
been crazy, Simon.

- Hm.
- [woman] I've had production,

and then fashion week, Cannes...

- Who has time for deep conditioner?
- Girl, make time!

Or you'll be crying
about your bald edges.

- I know. You're right.
- [mobile chimes]

But you're gonna style me for the
premiere next month? All right?

- Of course, darling.
- [woman] Hm.

Jesus!

What the hell?

[panting and moaning]

Where are you going?

Look, it's late.

So, what, you want me to go?

Sharing a bed with someone,
it's a pretty intimate thing,

and we don't know each
other like that, so...

Oh, and... thank you.

Fuck you!

This is awkward.

Who the fuck is this?

- Hey, Si.
- Hm.

What? What happened?

Stephen's dead.

[sighs]

You had me worried.

[Nina] You came all the
way to Brooklyn for that?

It could have waited
till morning. Water?

Our father is dead.

I don't care.

[Nina] We're talking
in circles, Si.

- You can't just brush this off.
- Watch me!

Seriously, why are you
so worked up about this?

He's been dead in
my head for years.

The actual fact of his
death changes nothing.

[Simon] His lawyer,
Gideon, called me.

Why?

- [Simon] I said we'd go for the funeral.
- Ah-ah.

[Simon] Nina, we haven't
spoken to Stephen in years.

No. No!

I mean, go halfway across
the world for what?

He was our father.

A glorified sperm donor.

Why would I do
anything for that man?

[Simon] Because you
need the closure!

We should go and say goodbye.

And we gotta tell Mom.

If you have already
decided, why come to me?

We thought you'd wanna know.

Well, now I know. That man
abandoned us with nothing.

I brought us to America. My
sister had to take us in...

[speaking foreign language]

[sighs]

We understand what you're
saying, Mom, but...

But what? And you?

You are very quiet.

It's only a couple
of days in London.

He was your father.

Go to London, then.

See the woman he chose
over us. [sucks teeth]

[Simon] God!

[Alesha] You love the
sound of your own voice!

[Wanda] I do love the
sound of my voice.

Because, sometimes, we need
intelligent conversation!

- [Alesha] Oh, wow, Okay!
- [Wanda] You cannot say anything.

Because you were making some stupid
make-up videos whilst our dad was dying!

- Wanda!
- Oh, shut up!

- You think you're the only one hurting?
- [Wanda] Are you hurting now, Alesha?

It doesn't look
like you're hurting.

Enough! Both of you.

[Claudia] He wouldn't want this.

He wouldn't want us fighting.

- Yes, he would.
- Alesha!

Mum's right. Everyone
just calm down.

[Claudia] I was
just a girl on road,

and your father told me, "With
me, you can be somebody."

He was true to his word.

We are going to celebrate his
life and honour everything he did

to raise this family up.

And I'm not here for any of
this fighting. None of it.

You're the man of
the family now, Gus,

you're gonna have to step up
like your father always intended.

I know.

Ma'am... I'm sorry to interrupt.

I have some paperwork
that needs signing.

Andre, give us a minute.
This is family time.

[Andre] The cars are here to
take you when you're all ready.

We are a family, and
we're gonna stay united.

You hear me now?

[priest] A time to be
born, and a time to die,

a time to plant,

and a time to uproot the plant.

A time to kill,

and a time to heal,

a time to tear down,

and a time to rebuild.

May he rest in peace.

[woman 1] Amen.

[woman 2] Amen. [crying]

This cursed isle.

- Uh-oh.
- [phone chimes]

What?

Stepmommy dearest changed
the time of the funeral.

- [sighs]
- It was this morning. We missed it.

I didn't even wanna be here.

Welcome home.

He's not cold and they're
already spending his money.

- Mm-hm.
- Hm.

[woman] And she has not
worked one day in her life,

and now see everything she has.

[Andre] Who's the executor?

Gideon!

Stephen knows I hated that man.

His white self always
looking down on me.

Hey, hey... Calm down, Claud.

He can't touch you.

[Andre] Get through the
will reading and it's done.

Stay calm, okay?

She is a piece of work.

I mean, who changes
the time of a funeral?

I really hoped that we...

What? That we'd play happy
families with some randoms?

What are you thinking?

Excuse me, sir, we're ready.

Uh, Nina...

You still wanna go?

Oh, yeah.

Hey.

I should have known
you'd be here.

[Alesha] Hey.

How are you doing?

I should have been
there when he died.

I let him down.

You didn't let him down.

[Gus] Everyone is saying that
I'm the man of the family now.

[Alesha] Just ignore
those aunties.

Yeah, but the business
is just so big.

What if I'm not good enough?

I can't do everything Dad did.

Hey. You just have to be you.

Do your thing, yeah?

It's your business now.

Yeah. I know. It's just...

[Wanda] Do I have to
do everything myself?

Are you taking the piss?

Better check it.

I asked for party jollof rice!

Who asked for carrots
in the jollof?

Do you see any Ghanaians here?
This is a Nigerian house!

Oh, my God, everything's a mess!

Shouting at them won't help.

Well, you know, you could
actually do something to help.

You know mum's in bits 'cause
someone's invited Dad's other kids?

- For real?
- [Wanda] Yeah.

They didn't show for the
funeral so they're not coming.

If they even show up here,
they are greedy gold diggers.

Gus, Wanda, Alesha.

It's time for the will reading.

[Simon] You're quiet.

Why don't they want us at the
funeral? What are they hiding?

[Simon] They probably
think we want something.

How are you feeling?

Remember, play nice.

Good. Just in time
for the will reading.

[Simon] Here we go.

[Gideon] My deepest condolences
to you all for your loss.

However, I do think the will reading
could have been left for another day.

Why wait, Gideon?
Let's settle it now.

- Everyone is here.
- Not quite.

Please welcome Nina
and Simon Richards.

What?

What? I don't understand.

Hi.

It's good, fam!

- Let's just get on with it.
- [Gideon] Gladly.

Stephen was a dear friend
to me for many years.

Despite some tensions,

I'm glad he trusted me to
be the executor of his will.

I'll leave him to
explain things.

So... I must be dead,
then. [chuckles]

What is this? This
isn't the will.

[Stephen] The full written particulars
of my last will and testament

are with Gideon.

He knows what I want and
what my intentions are,

so please, listen to him.

So...

Maureen, you have
been my secretary,

loyal and steadfast to the last.

To you, I leave you
the sum of £1 million.

To my sisters and brother,

to each of you I leave £500,000.

To Claudia, my wife,
the house is yours

together with an
appropriate income.

I have tried to be
a... a good husband

and a good father,

not always with success.

It is what it is.

To our children, my
genetic bloodline,

I leave the sum of £30 million,
to be divided equally between you.

Your inheritance will be held in trust
until your respective 40th birthdays.

It is my hope that freed
of the burden of money

that you will build meaningful
lives and careers for yourselves.

Now finally, to the company.

The success of Flair And Glory

is the culmination of everything
that I have worked for.

It stands as a beacon...

a symbol of what a poor
African boy can achieve

regardless of the obstacles
placed in his way.

But it's now time to entrust it

to the safekeeping of
the next generation.

Accordingly... I leave all
my shares in the company

to Nina and Simon.

[Nina] Wait. Wait. What?

- What?
- This is a joke, right?

Mum!

Gideon, he's trying to
make a fool out of me.

- You bitch!
- Whoa! Claudia!

Mum.

[Gideon] Claudia,
compose yourself.

You did this! You
turned him against me.

That isn't the will.

You changed it!

Okay, listen, Claudia...

Shut up! All of you. Get out!

- Let's go.
- Damn straight.

[Claudia] You haven't
won, little girl.

You hear me? I will drag you
to court and get what's mine.

I'm not like your mother. I
won't take this lying down.

Say it again.

Say it again.

Nah, she ain't about it.

[chattering indistinctly]

She threw the fruit... The
fruit got out of the wig!

[both laugh]

You can take the girl
out of Edmonton...

[both] ...but you can't take
Edmonton out of the girl.

- Come on, girl.
- Eyes.

[chuckles]

- Serves her right.
- Mean.

She put up with him for all those years,
and he screws her from beyond the grave.

All he left her was the house!

Mm-mm. She is a thief.

Flair was Mum's idea, her baby, and
Stephen and that snake stole it.

They broke Mum's heart, so no,
I feel zero sympathy for her.

So much for closure.

I told you I didn't wanna come.

Why do you think he did this?

Who cares? He's just
caused more trouble.

Mm. So, what do we do?
About our inheritance?

Um, I will set a
meeting with Gideon

and we'll figure out
how to get rid of it,

- sell it back to them.
- Ooh, child!

You know I always wanted
to be an heiress, girl!

Can you see it?

[both chuckle]

Do you know what kind of tax
nightmare that'll create?

We need to talk to a lawyer.

Do not talk to me about taxes.

Just handle it. I'll
sign whatever you say.

[Nina] What?

Can you imagine those
kids running anything?

They will be bankrupt in
a year. Good luck to them.

[both giggle]

[Wanda] Gus is
supposed to be CEO?

Why would Dad do this?

This is exactly the kind of Hunger
Games warfare he loves to pull.

He didn't trust me.
That's what it means.

He didn't want to leave
the family business to me

so he gave it to some strangers.

No. Baby.

I can't believe that. Hm?

The will must be fake.

We can't trust Gideon.
This is his doing.

That video looked
pretty legit to me.

You think they're gonna let
you just live in your nice flat

and spend like you do?

[Gus] The houses are
owned by the company

and now they're majority
shareholders of the company.

They control everything.
Dad left it all to them.

They've got the keys to
Flair, and we're screwed.

We are at war.

What does that mean?

It means that whatever it takes, we
are going to get back what's ours.

[Nina] I understand
your position, but...

we wanna be shot of it
as quickly as possible

with as little personal expense.

The capital gains tax issue plus
US liabilities would be sizeable.

Oh, I know.

- But I do wish you'd reconsider.
- Gideon...

Your father left it
to you for a reason.

He hasn't been my father
since a sunny day in 1993,

two weeks before my
seventh birthday,

when he told me he had a new
family and a baby on the way.

Stephen wasn't the
easiest of men.

That's quite the understatement.

But I do know that all these
years, he's wanted to make amends.

He's followed your progress.

Both of you. But you
especially, his firstborn...

Gideon, Stephen is dead.

And the time for
this is long past.

Besides, what makes you
think I'm ready to be CEO?

[Gideon] Stephen had no
doubt in your abilities.

And I could guide you.

Claudia and that
inside man she's got...

I don't trust them.

They'll destroy that business.

They're welcome to all of it.

This isn't what Stephen wanted.

It's not what your
mum would want.

I'm not getting
sucked into this.

[phone ringing]

[woman] Mrs Richards. I'm
very sorry for your loss.

How did you miss this?

- Claudia, I...
- Don't "Claudia" me.

I got rid of Gideon

and put you in this job so
you could see trouble coming.

Stephen kept this a secret!

You're supposed to
know all his secrets.

Dre, what did you think
you were here for?

- Babe, listen, I'm just trying...
- What is this?

My husband just died.
Show some respect.

This isn't my area, but
the will looks legit.

It was witnessed and they
registered its existence

with probate and legal.

- How do I challenge it?
- You can't.

There are no grounds.

You better find a way.

Everything I put up with,
I did for my children.

No-one is taking away
their inheritance.

Gideon is the executor and
he's watching my every move.

Say Stephen was mad,
Gideon was a thief...

Whatever it takes,
get me results.

You think you're safe here?

Remember this, if Nina
or Simon take over,

you'll be the first one out.

[dance music playing]

Yo! Bring me another
bottle, please.

Look, this party's lit.

Listen, Gus, when are you gonna
talk to Sarah for me, bro? Gus!

Hey, can you close my tab?

- I'm out.
- Sure thing. Hey.

I'm sorry about your dad.

Thanks.

Sasha, right?

None of them even mentioned it.

Death is awkward for people.
It's real vibe killer, you know?

I'll get the bill.

[sighs]

[sad tone playing]

- Mummy?
- Mm-hmm?

Why is he following us?

Because...

Why are you following us?

Explain to my daughter why you are
following all the Black people in here?

I don't want any trouble.

We come here and we give you our
money and you treat us like thieves.

Stop shouting or
I call the police.

She's not shouting!

Baby, come. Let's go.

They will always
treat us like nothing.

But why?

Because...

until Black people
have their own shops,

have their businesses, become
their own bosses, these people...

whites, brown, they will
keep their foot on our neck.

Nina.

Never let these
people hold you back.

Okay?

[Andre] They're booked on the
10:00pm flight back to New York.

Are you sure?

- Gideon's confirmed.
- Great!

Stephen didn't plan for that.

I wouldn't give it
up for anything.

Well, not everyone lives
for a fight like you.

Thank you for coming.

- [Gus] Thanks for doing the right thing.
- [Simon] It's the least we could do.

Great.

[Gideon] Paperwork's ready.

[Claudia] Stephen was a genius.

He saw the future when
he founded this company.

My mother founded this company

in the kitchen of our
flat in Finsbury Park.

She couldn't hold
on to it or her man.

What did you say?

Let's just get
this signed, yeah?

[Nina laughs]

I've changed my mind.

- [Simon] Nina, don't...
- Uh-uh-uh.

This is our birth right.

I'm not signing over anything.

Deal's off.

Excuse me.

[Gus] Mum, calm down.

Calm down for what?

Do something, Mr
Executor. Fix it!

- You just can't help yourself.
- You're trying to blame me...

[Gideon] Who else is there?

She's not coming back.

I don't deserve this!

We didn't deserve to miss
our father's funeral.

I'll be in touch... if the
owners change their minds.

So what, we just
let them walk out?

All you had to do was
shut up and let her sign.

Big man, you can't talk
to my mum like that.

I apologise.

If she doesn't change her mind,

then you've got an expensive
fight on your hands.

We're ready to fight.

You won't win.

- [Wanda] Screw them.
- Babe, why should you lose out

because of some
greedy strangers?

I mean, knowing your dad, this
is probably what he wanted,

for you to fight for it.

I am so lucky to have you.

There's no reason not to look
your best with a natural, daytime,

contoured look as we
transition into spring...

Nice car.

Babe, it was a shit
show, but kinda fabulous.

Damn, I wish I was there.

- Hi, Ido.
- Hey, girl!

Hi!

- Stop. You need to stop. Okay?
- [laughs]

I'll call you later,
babe. I love you.

Ah... Girl, you really decided
to drop a grenade on everything.

It's a lot.

[sighs]

You're not actually
changing your mind, are you?

It's our inheritance, Si.

And we decided we
didn't want any of it.

If he'd just signed a cheque, sure,
but to stay here and run things?

We have lives in the States.

[Nina] I know, I know, I know...

But?

Come on. There's more to this
than just that bitch Claudia.

Our mother started this company
and they stole it from her.

Yes.

Yes. This company is
a poisoned chalice.

You're about to be the youngest
president of marketing,

and you hate it here, so
what are we talking about?

Something doesn't feel right.

Why did he leave it to us?
Why, after all this time?

Doesn't that seem weird to you?

No.

Yes. I don't know.

Where's all this coming from,
Neen, what's going on in your head?

He called me for the
first time in 20 years.

Nina speaking.

Nina, it's me. It's your father.

How did you get this number?

We need to talk.

We have nothing to talk about.

Oh, you're doing
so well in America.

A chip off the old
block. [laughs]

Okay, I'm not doing this. Okay?

Nina, please.

There's something
I need you to know.

Someone is trying to hurt
the company, to hurt me.

[Nina] I don't care.

Don't ever call
this number again.

The next thing I
knew, he was dead.

Why didn't you tell me?

What did he mean, that someone
was trying to hurt him?

I don't know.

But he sounded scared.

You think they...

He left us the
business for a reason.

You really think
someone hurt him?

I don't know. I don't know.
I don't know what to think.

I mean, maybe him calling
was-was a coincidence?

You know this is crazy, right?

He is dragging us
into God-knows-what!

[sighs]

You wanna stay, don't you?

I wanna find out
what's going on.

I wanna figure out what
happened or it'll eat at me, Si.

- Well, it might be... I can't.
- Si, Si, I need you.

Okay? I can't do
this without you.

We need to find
out what happened.