New Netflix Crime Thriller Secretly A Breaking Bad Spinoff?
The latest addition to Netflix’s roster, The Gentlemen, has already garnered a fervent following, but viewers are speculating that there may be more to the show than meets the eye. Premiering on March 7, the series, featuring Theo James in the lead role, has captivated audiences with its intriguing narrative and stellar cast. However, it’s one particular cast member that has sparked a flurry of theories among fans: could Giancarlo Eposito’s appearance mean that this new series is in the same universe as Breaking Bad?
Ginacarlo Espositio Is Secretly Gus?
Giancarlo Esposito, renowned for his portrayal of the infamous Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and its prequel Better Call Saul, appears in The Gentlemen as Stanley Johnson, a character with a past in the meth business turned entrepreneur. It is pretty ironic, considering Fring in Breaking Bad was also a narcotics-distributing businessman. Esposito’s presence has led viewers to ponder whether this connection could indicate a potential crossover between the two series, despite being produced by different companies and set in different places and times.
The Similarities
Fans have taken to social media platforms to share their observations, with one X user suggesting, “U got Gus Fring in there, The Gentlemen and Breaking Bad could be in the same universe actually.” Another echoed similar sentiments, expressing their enjoyment of the series and humorously noting its possible incorporation into the Breaking Bad universe.
Esposito Weighs In
However, Esposito himself has weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the disparities between his roles in the two shows and confirming that, in his mind, at least, there is no connection between Breaking Bad and The Gentlemen. In an interview with Digital Spy, the actor remarked, “Stanley’s a lot lighter than Gus, he’s not looking over his shoulder worrying about someone’s going to kill him.” He elaborated on his initial interpretation of the characters, stating, “I didn’t make any correlation until I realized that in his previous incarnation, which we don’t see, he was a meth dealer.”
A Fun Easter Egg
Despite Esposito’s clarifications, it’s still fun to think that Stanely Johnson could be an Easter Egg alluding to Gus Fring. In addition to the subtle (albeit probably non-intentional) nod to Breaking Bad, The Gentlemen also contains subtle (more purposeful) nods to creator Guy Ritchie’s previous works.
Guy Ritche Homages
One notable homage occurs during the fifth episode of The Gentlemen, where protagonists Eddie and Susie engage in negotiations with a group of travelers in a caravan, reminiscent of a scene from Ritchie’s 2000 film Snatch. This callback, coupled with the film’s trademark wit and fast-paced dialogue, evokes nostalgia for Ritchie’s earlier works and adds an extra layer of enjoyment for viewers familiar with his cinematic repertoire.
The Gentlemen Is A Netflix Hit
Despite only being out for a week, The Gentlemen is already making waves in the streaming community. With an audience score of 84 percent, the critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes states that despite not seamlessly extending upon the original movie the series is based on (The Gentlemen, 2019), the show possesses ample charisma to stand out on its own merits. A perfectly bingeable series, interested viewers can watch The Gentlemen on Netflix.
