The Gentlemen (2024) Season 1 review

The supremely stylish Guy Ritchie introduced a new TV series on Netflix called The Gentlemen in early 2024. Starting from a plot point in the third act of The Gentlemen (2019), this series introduces us to Edward Horniman (Theo James). Upon his father’s demise, the estate is bestowed upon him along with the title of Duke of Halstead despite Eddie being the younger son.

His elder brother, Freddy (Daniel Ings), a degenerate coke-head goes hilariously berserk when the will is read to the family in one of the funniest scenes of the show. However, that’s just the surface of the iceberg of problems Eddie has to deal with. You see, Freddy owes a Liverpool crime family 8 million pounds. While Eddie tries to think how he could get his brother’s neck from under Tommy Dixon’s (Peter Serafinowicz) heel, he discovers there is an established weed business operating on his estate, run by Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario). 

Susie agrees to help Eddie on the condition that he doesn’t sell his large estate to Stanley Johnston (Giancarlo Esposito, playing Gus Fring but with an obsession for the finer things in life) who makes a generous offer. This agreement between Eddie and Susie is the pillar the show stands on. As Eddie delves into the weed business, he rubs shoulders with characters from the British elite as well as the criminal underworld, and sometimes both.

Along the way, the estate’s gamekeeper Geoff (Vinnie Jones, as the retired, quiet version of himself from Ritchie’s earlier movies) has Eddie’s back. Effective with a gun, Geoff may also have an intimate connection to the family. The Duchess and Eddie’s mother (Joely Richardson, embodying the class and culture portrayed in the show) wants the family to cut ties with their criminal activities and let’s her wishes known. Easier said than done, Eddie ultimately comes to the crossroads where he has to choose how far he wants to go with his recent criminal adventures.

As is common in most of Ritchie’s filmography, this show is full of rich and eccentric characters. One of the memorable minor characters is the ‘cleaner’ who works for Susie and has a holistic approach to his work, played by Dar Salim. Ray Winstone also appears in a limited role as Susie’s father, Bobbie Glass who may have more screen time in the later seasons if the show continues. And then there is Jimmy, played by Michael Vu, the naive but sweet Product Manager, in Susie’s organization. 

In the acting department, Scodelario shines the brightest. She looks like Egyptian royalty as she manages her father’s enterprise with a cool efficiency. Ings as Freddy, has the freedom to riff and let out, which he does well. I generally don’t enjoy watching Theo James, but this role suits him well since Eddie is reserved and calm under pressure. As a Duke, he has to look the part and having James in the role is just logical casting. Given the being royal adjacent aspect of the Horniman family, they are dressed exquisitely on the show. However, they are sometimes upstaged by the members of the various organized crime syndicates.

The show deals with major crimes but is quite lighthearted in its approach. This is pure comfort TV. Even when the stakes get high, they are immediately resolved, easing tension. The first 6 episodes are better. Once a rift begins to develop between Eddie and Susie, the show becomes less interesting. 

As with any good artist, Ritchie’s work has evolved with time. Making movies in his youth, his characters were young and hungry too, trying to make it big in their respective trade. As he grew older, his characters acquired a taste for the refined. They no longer dwell on the magnificence of movies like The Remains of the Day but amaze at the splendour of a Gainsborough painting. They wear bespoke suits and take pride in their appearance. There are similar updates to the cinematography as well. The camera no longer cuts away or stands at strange angles. It stands still to absorb the majesty and serenity around it. And so, The Gentlemen is the best-looking Guy Ritchie project.