The Gentlemen 2024 Tv Series Review – Netflix

Renowned for his trademark action-comedy films, British filmmaker Guy Ritchie remains firmly within his wheelhouse with “The Gentlemen,” an entertaining eight-part hour-long action-comedy series making its debut on Netflix this week.

Inspired by his equally enjoyable 2019 film of the same name, where the sophistication of expensive suits meets the brutality of the drug trade, Ritchie’s venture into television mirrors his producer role in 2000’s “Lock, Stock…” series following his directorial debut with “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.” Sometimes, sticking to what you know best is the wisest choice.

Notably, viewers need not have watched the big-screen version of “The Gentlemen” to appreciate its small-screen counterpart. Although set in the same world, the series hardly references characters like Mickey Pearson, portrayed by Matthew McConaughey in the film.

In this streaming adaptation, Ray Winstone’s Bobby Glass presides over a cannabis empire hidden beneath English country estates, notably Halstead Manor, the domain of the Horniman family.

As the Duke of Halstead nears death, his son Eddie, played by Theo James, returns from military duty to find himself thrust into family matters. With the estate inheritance favoring Eddie over his brother Freddy (Daniel Ings), tensions escalate, setting the stage for familial strife akin to the Corleones, albeit with a modern twist.

Navigating his newfound responsibilities, Eddie forms an alliance with Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario), Bobby’s daughter and the operational backbone of his illicit business. As Eddie grapples with family dynamics and business dealings, threats from rival factions, including Giancarlo Esposito’s Stanley Johnson, loom large.

While Ritchie’s directorial prowess shines in the series’ initial episodes, subsequent installments falter under different directors, albeit retaining a television series’ narrative arc. Nonetheless, “The Gentlemen” delivers cinematic flair and TV drama, showcasing Ritchie’s storytelling finesse across multiple mediums.