Netflix's The Gentlemen has returned for a second season, and it's a whole new ballgame. Guy Ritchie's crime saga, inspired by his 2019 film, has evolved into something far more complex and dark. The new episodes follow Eddie Horniman (Theo James) as he expands his criminal empire into Italy with the help of Susie (Kaya Scodelario) and the guidance of the incarcerated Bobby Glass (Ray Winstone). But when Eddie decides to go his own way, Bobby teaches him a brutal lesson—leaving him for dead in a shallow grave. To make matters worse, Eddie's new wife Bella (Benedetta Porcaroli) dies in a plane explosion meant for him.
This season, Bobby's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, with visions of a mythical creature called the Bannick in the sauna, leading both Susie and Eddie to question his sanity. Meanwhile, Eddie seeks counsel from the enigmatic Stanley Johnston (Giancarlo Esposito), who seems to believe Eddie is destined for greatness beyond the criminal underworld. The only steadying influence in Eddie's life is Geoff (Vinnie Jones), his gamekeeper and the secret father of his half-sister, Charly (Jasmine Blackborow).
In a recent interview, Winstone, Esposito, and Jones shared their thoughts on their characters' journeys and what lies ahead. When asked about Bobby's mental state, Winstone was characteristically cagey: "I'm still thinking about it. I'm not sure. I'm treading lightly here because, with me, I'm not quite sure where I'm going, whether he's losing his mind or not, or whether he's playing a game." He added, "I'm not sure myself yet where I'm going to take it."
One of the season's biggest shocks is Susie's decision to start dealing cocaine behind her father's back. Winstone hinted at fireworks: "I think that can end rather badly." He elaborated, "He's created his own Frankenstein there. He's created a daughter that is very much like him—it's him in a dress. But she's taking it on, and she's the new breed." He drew a parallel to social media, noting that today's kids navigate a world their parents never knew. "So, she's developing something on her own. So, I've created that, really, and it's whether I accept that and how much I love my daughter. I love my daughter, but you know what? We're gangsters."
As for whether Bobby will teach Susie a lesson similar to Eddie's, Winstone was philosophical: "It's a bit of tough love, but it's how much you're going to put up with. You put the whole relationship, the whole business, the whole empire in danger by doing something I told you not do. So, we'll see where that goes."
Giancarlo Esposito's Stanley Johnston is a man of mystery, spouting cryptic monologues about history and destiny. Esposito explained, "Stanley Johnston is so well-studied and well-versed, well-educated in terms of history and past and present, and I think he is there to remind Eddie of his own particular history and to push him deeper into the knowledge of who he really is." He added, "I think he sees something in Eddie that he admires and that he would like to cultivate, and I think Stanley Johnston is in for the long game. I think he's going to cultivate Eddie, and I think he has an idea of where that should go."
Esposito also touched on the universal human drive for outcomes: "I don't think anyone in this show is particularly released from their character being informed by an outcome that they desire. We're human beings; we want something. Whether we are able to voice that and be consciously aware of that or not does not matter. Something inside of us is guiding us down a certain path."
Vinnie Jones, who plays the loyal Geoff, offered a lighter moment in the interview, joking about saunas and steam rooms. But his character remains a grounding force for Eddie, even as the season takes its darkest turns. With the show's perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, fans are eager to see where the story goes next.
As for the future, Winstone hinted at more twists to come, while Esposito teased that Johnston's plans are far from over. With Eddie's descent mirroring Tony Soprano's, and the show's dominance on Netflix charts, Season 2 is a must-watch for crime drama fans.
