If you’re a fan of Guy Ritchie’s distinct directorial panache and enjoyed the original film on which the show is based, then Netflix’s The Gentleman series is for you. Thrilling, bloody, and rather thorough in its character study, it’s an action-packed clash bound to gain a niche following.
However, if you aren’t familiar with Ritchie’s style, then parts of Netflix’s The Gentlemen series might not appeal to the senses of faint-hearted viewers. It’s a bit too gory at times, too chaotic, and an attempt that might come off as an unspoken imitation of Max’s Succession. No, the two series are nothing alike, but the grueling family drama and secrets coming to life provide enough incentive to question where legacies are concerned.
The series initially stands out in its production design, set at the backdrop of a gaudy family home, featuring exterior shots from Loseley Park that immediately draw the audience into something expansive. Between the family estate and lesser-known locations for clubs and boxing hall, there’s no dull moment in the series’ means of creating an environment that’s appealing to the eyes.
In any film or series, a prominent location often serves as a distinct character of sorts, and considering that this narrative arc centers around a family’s growing empire, the estate where much takes place matters significantly in its contribution to the story. Here, it also provides a pleasant, oddly haunting escape of sorts amid all the disarray and turmoil consistently unfurling.
Netflix’s The Gentlemen series is also brimming with pleasantly surprising performances, with Daniel Ings at the top of the list. If you know the star from Lovesick or his brief cameo in Sex Education Season 4, then it’s impossible to predict or sugarcoat the wild ride you’re in for with his embodiment of Freddy Horniman. The satisfying mix of laugh-out-loud moments that come at the absolute worst times, mingling with some profound character beats, make the complexities far more fascinating to digest. Similarly, Theo James is best in roles where stoicism and grit come to life, making his performances fit the series’ tone.
Yet, it’s Kaya Scodelario as Susie Glass who knocks it out of the massive ballpark. Scodelario is riveting at every turn, holding up every bargain with grit and style in a way that acutely reflects how far her character could go. There are moments that bleed with vulnerability and points where she’s so icy that it makes for the kind of performance that’ll keep series viewers on their toes. Susie Glass is the one I’m invested in, and it’ll be riveting to see where the series can continue to take her. Further, Giancarlo Esposito, as always, steals every scene he’s in, and the same can be said about Vinnie Jones.
Though Richie isn’t the sole writer in Netflix’s The Gentlemen series, he’s accompanied by Matthew Read, with Haleema Mirza, Billy and Theo Mason Wood, Stuart Carolan and John Jackson, all of whom have concrete understandings of the character journeys and where they want to take them. Paired with distinct directorial styles that focus on movements and tight close-ups, viewers are always in for something, including Ritchie’s usual style of unexpected twists, turns, and betrayals that are laced with clever motives. While the series isn’t some chart-topping sensation, it’s an all-around thrilling time that makes every beat worth it.
The Gentlemen series premieres exclusively on Netflix on March 7.