New Netflix Crime Thriller Is From The Greatest Possible Director
In 2019, Guy Ritchie gathered a star-studded ensemble of some of Hollywood’s biggest names to tell a comedy crime-driven story about a man who inherits his father’s criminal empire – a business he was none the wiser of. The Gentlemen, which starred names like Matthew McConaughey, Jeremy Strong, Colin Farrell, and Charlie Hunnam, was a huge hit among fans who were already attracted to Ritchie’s action-packed filmmaking style. Deciding to give the production another go but this time in series form, Ritchie teamed up with Netflix to reboot his original idea in what has quickly become one of the streamer’s top-viewed titles of the week.
The Cast
Keeping things all in the family (so to speak), Guy Ritchie’s episodic installment is also titled The Gentlemen, which has undoubtedly helped to drive its viewership numbers during its debut week. Replacing the original players with an entirely new set of faces, the series stars Theo James (The White Lotus), Kaya Scodelario (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), Joely Richardson (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Ray Winstone (The Departed), and more.
The Series Stays In Step With The Film
While the actors may be different, the plot surrounding The Gentlemen remains largely on par with the film that laid its groundwork. James stars as Eddie Horniman, a young man who’s recently taken over his family estate and earned the title of the Duke of Halstead. But what Eddie didn’t know before stepping into his new role is that his late father (Winstone) had been using the family’s land as a location to keep up his marijuana-growing business, which in turn plunges Eddie into a criminal underbelly of lies, danger, and lots of cash.
Daniel Ings Is A Gift To The Show
With Guy Ritchie and Theo James’ names certainly being enough to bring audiences in to check out the first episode of The Gentlemen, it’s the family dynamics and wild personalities that hold on and don’t let go. We’re specifically talking about Daniel Ings’ (Lovesick) performance, as Freddy, Eddie’s older brother and – technically – the rightful heir to the family’s estate. Freddy’s problem is that he can’t keep his nose clean (literally – he’s a cocaine addict) and his increasingly off-the-cuff behavior puts everyone in danger – but it sure makes for a great character.
The Gentlemen Is A Hit
Having nearly celebrated its first full week on Netflix, everyone’s already talking about The Gentlemen and the raucous fun that comes with binging it in one go. Known for previously bringing audiences such titles as The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Snatch, and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Ritchie’s series is right up his alley in terms of tone and high-octane sequences. While he’s previously worked behind the scenes as a producer and writer on the television project, Lock, Stock… The Gentlemen marks the first time that Ritchie has helmed a TV show.
The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare
As for his next turn on the big screen, following the success of The Gentlemen, Guy Ritchie’s next focus is getting his upcoming action comedy-drama, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare to be a hit with audiences. Putting a mostly fictional and dramatized spin on the true story of a group of British spies during WWII, the production stars huge names like Henry Cavill, Alan Ritchson, Eliza González, Cary Elwes, and more.
You can now stream The Gentlemen on Netflix in its entirety.
