Fans of Guy Ritchie's criminal underworld can officially get excited, as star Theo James has pulled back the curtain on what to anticipate when The Gentlemen series 2 arrives on Netflix next year.
A Bigger, Darker Criminal World
In a recent interview with The Times, James, who plays the aristocratic Eddie Halstead, provided a tantalising sneak peek into the next chapter. The actor revealed that the creative team has been focused on expanding the show's universe, promising a sequel that builds upon the foundation of the first season.
He stated, 'We've been trying to build on what we did in the first season but make the world bigger, darker.' James was quick to assure fans that the signature comedic tone will remain, but added, 'I think it's a little richer in terms of the story.'
The first season introduced viewers to Eddie Halstead, who inherits his father's sprawling estate only to discover it operates as the core of a massive and illicit weed empire. The star-studded comedy drama proved to be a monumental success for Netflix in 2024, amassing a staggering 44 million views within its first four weeks of release.
New Faces and Secretive Roles
Filming for the highly anticipated second season commenced in London back in June, with Guy Ritchie himself directing dramatic action scenes. The core cast, including Vinnie Jones as hardman Geoffrey Seacombe and Kaya Scodelario as Susie Glass, is set to return.
They will be joined by a notable new addition: Hugh Bonneville, famed for his role in Downton Abbey. Reports suggest his character is pivotal to the new season's storyline, and his identity is being kept tightly under wraps. An insider revealed that the actor has been given a 'very distinctive new look' with a giant head of grey hair and thick black glasses, a dramatic shift from his typically wholesome roles.
The series, which also features Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson, and Giancarlo Esposito, is a spin-off from Ritchie's 2019 film of the same name. That movie, starring Matthew McConaughey and Hugh Grant, was a box office hit, grossing over $115 million globally.
Critical Acclaim and Personal Growth
The first season was met with significant critical and audience approval, earning a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer and an 83% audience score. Fans on platforms like IMDB lavished praise, with one calling it 'the best thing Netflix has produced in a very long time' and another suggesting Theo James would make a 'great Bond.'
Away from the camera, James also opened up about how fatherhood has changed him. He shares a four-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son with his wife, actress Ruth Kearney. 'It sounds corny but having kids levelled me out,' he shared, 'because I realised that there's something bigger and more important than my own hyper-obsessiveness.'
With a confirmed 2026 release date on Netflix, the stage is set for The Gentlemen to return with more intrigue, more crime, and a expanded, shadowy world for its dedicated UK audience.
