Say hello to Netflix’s biggest 2024 hit series so far, Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen. Don’t mistake the show for the 2019 movie — although both were created by Ritchie, they’re not set in the same universe. Both the film and its spin-off share the same setting (the United Kingdom) and premise (the biggest marijuana empire in the country hidden away on the estates of aristocratic lords), but that’s about it.
With The Gentlemen, you can expect Ritchie’s signature style of blending deadpan humour, quick-witted dialogue, and spunky action sequences. You would be hard-pressed to find a single dull moment within the show, so if your attention span isn’t the best, The Gentlemen is calling your name. In need of more reasons to pick up this eight episode series? We’ll give you three excellent ones down below. Be warned, mild spoilers ahead!
Theo James and Kaya Scodelario in The Gentlemen pic.twitter.com/hWAheUsxyp
— Netflix (@netflix) March 8, 2024
Why You Should Watch Netflix’s The Gentlemen
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1. Theo James
If the show’s dashing leading man isn’t enough of a reason for you to press play on the first episode right now, then nothing can convince you. Struggling to pinpoint where you’ve seen this “handsome behenchod” before? British actor Theo James first rose to fame when he starred as Tobias Eaton, AKA Four, in the Divergent trilogy (2014-2016). More recently, he appeared in HBO’s acclaimed series The White Lotus (2022-present) for which he earned an Emmy Award nomination.
Starring as Edward “Eddie” Horniman, James plays an aristocratic soldier who unwittingly had a dukedom forced upon him after the death of his father. Special remainders aside, let’s pretend that it’s possible for a dukedom to pass to the second son when the first is still alive because we can’t imagine a better leading man for the show than James — no offence to Daniel Ings. It was captivating to watch him embody the power and privilege of a Duke, with an added touch of danger as he struggled to protect his family and home. Maybe James should check his ancestry for any aristocratic (or criminal) ties, his performance was too good to be entirely an act.
2. The Mob Wife Aesthetic Inspo
Images Source: Netflix UK
Whoever was in charge of scheduling the dates for The Gentlemen‘s premiere deserves a major raise. This crime comedy just so happened to air when the Mob Wife aesthetic trend is taking the internet by storm. Serving up look after look of classily wealthy criminal goodness, Kaya Scodelario’s character in particular gave a masterclass in how to dress like a mob wife, as shown above. However, as Scodelario herself commented whilst doing press for Netflix, her character Susan “Susie” Glass isn’t a mob wife. Miss Glass is the one doing the mobbing, honey.
Another great reason to watch the show, especially if you’re a fashion girlie, is to snap a pic every time mob wife inspo appeared on screen. A quick warning: you might run out of storage. Then, challenge yourself by recreating each look. The show used designer pieces from brands known for their upper-class style, including Ralph Lauren, Marni, and Marchesa. Alongside the bold prints, fur coats, and leather we all know and love from TikTok’s mob wife guide, you can expect to spot plenty of houndstooth, plaid, and tweed. Which begs the question: is Netflix 100% sure that the upper class dresses like they’re constantly about to go horseback riding?
3. Will They or Won’t They?
We’ll give you three guesses as to what the audience’s biggest complaint was about the show. Here’s a hint: it has to do with the two main characters, Eddie and Susie. If you guessed that the pair’s chemistry rivalled a Science lab, you would be right. If you also guessed that despite the sizzling tension between them, Eddie and Susie didn’t kiss, hold hands, or even share a hug throughout the entire show, you would be right yet again.
Whether Guy Ritchie made this choice deliberately to frustrate watchers or, more likely, to increase the chances of renewal, it was a brilliant move all the same. There’s nothing audiences enjoy more than an interesting will-they-won’t-they between two characters embroiled in tension. Nevertheless, choosing to leave the matter hanging is a risky move, as Netflix is notorious for not renewing their shows unless they become a cultural phenomenon like Stranger Things or Wednesday. Let’s hope that all the calls on social media for a second season of The Gentlemen are enough to sway the streaming giant — for Eddie and Susie’s sake.
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