‘The Gentlemen’ Trailer: Theo James Enters Criminal Underworld in Guy Ritchie Drama (PHOTOS)
The British aristocracy are the original gangsters, as this new drama tells us.
Netflix has released the full trailer for Guy Ritchie‘s The Gentlemen, premiering Thursday, March 7, and inspired by the 2019 film, after a previous teaser revealed the casting of Ray Winstone. He plays Bobby Glass, a career criminal from the East End of London who founded an industrial cannabis empire.
The Gentlemen follows The Duke of Halstead, Eddie Horniman (Theo James), who unexpectedly inherits his father’s sizable country estate — only to discover it’s part of a clandestine cannabis empire, and many unsavory characters from Britain’s criminal underworld want a piece of the operation. Determined to extricate his family from their clutches, Eddie tries to play the gangsters at their own game. However, as he gets sucked into the world of criminality, he begins to find a taste for it. Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario) is Bobby’s effortlessly stylish and steely daughter who runs the day-to-day business of the empire.
“I didn’t ask for any of this. The title has no practical value. The business is broken,” Eddie says in the trailer. Don’t even get him started on his brother Freddy (Daniel Ings). Eddie then gets introduced to the family business, a bloody, violent, and fancy world.
“People either survive in the jungle or exist in the zoo,” Uncle Stan (Giancarlo Esposito) tells him. Watch the full trailer for much more above.
The series also stars Joely Richardson, Vinnie Jones, Chanel Cresswell, Michael Vu, Max Beesley, Jasmine Blackborow, Harry Goodwins, Dar Salim, Pearce Quigley, Ruby Sear, and Peter Serafinowicz. Ritchie serves as creator, co-writer, and executive producer and directed the first two episodes.
Scroll down to check out photos and posters to get to know the cast and characters — is there an explanation for Fredy (Ings) in that costume? — of the drama.
The Gentlemen, Series Premiere, Thursday, March 7, Netflix
Theo James as Eddie Horniman “The Duke”
Eddie is the second son of the Duke of Halstead, and as such, never expected to inherit a thing. That’s why he created a life for himself, excelling at Sandhurst and achieving the rank of Captain in the British Army. But when his father suddenly dies, stipulating in the will that his title and the accompanying 15,000 acres of land will go to his second rather than firstborn son, Eddie’s life makes a fundamental pivot. It’s a role he never wanted, and perhaps believed wasn’t within him, but gradually Eddie will find himself increasingly comfortable in his father’s shoes. As Eddie contends with the unexpected criminal responsibilities which come with owning this English country estate, his character will be tested like never before.
Kaya Scodelario as Susie Glass “The Boss”
Effortlessly stylish, sardonic, and inheriting her fair share of Bobby Glass’ steeliness, Susie oversees her father’s criminal organisation on his behalf. Susie is something of a chameleon, from inner-city boxing gyms to high-society galas, there are few places she can’t seamlessly fit in. Susie uses a combination of sophistication and sophistry to iron out the usual kinks which occur in the running of Bobby’s business, but when Eddie starts making problems for her early on, she finds her patience quickly wearing thin. Susie slowly begins to see the rationale for her father’s interest in this enterprising young man, as her and Eddie’s relationship and rapport develop across the series. However, when the Glass empire comes under increasing pressure, Susie is clear where her ultimate priorities lie.
Daniel Ings as Freddy Horniman “The Liability”
Freddy always knew he was the heir to the Halstead estate, which is why he never succeeded at anything. His life to-date has been an inconsequential stream of parties, drug-taking and embarrassing business misadventures. He is the Anti-Midas, everything he touches turns to dust and debt. When he discovers that his inheritance has been passed over to his younger brother, a fissure erupts within Freddy which no amount of cocaine can fill. Freddy is bereft of purpose and leans even harder into his impulsiveness and reactivity. But when the criminal elements at Halstead begin to infiltrate the lives of the Hornimans, a creative spark begins to flicker within Freddy: this might just be the making of him.
Vinnie Jones as Geoff Seacombe “The Gamekeeper”
Geoff is the gamekeeper of Halstead Manor. He knows every inch of the estate and cares deeply for the land, as well as the assortment creatures that roam upon it. Stoic, stolid and unswervingly loyal to the Hornimans, Geoff takes a certain pride in knowing his exact place within society’s structure and is ever respectful of the line between family and staff. There is a quiet sorrow to Geoff, owing to a secret he has kept for many years, nevertheless, as Eddie learns to deal with the illicit activity on the Halstead grounds, Geoff will make himself available as an ever-present rock to the new Duke. A repository of sage wisdom and sloe gin is always to be found within the gamekeeper’s cottage.
Joely Richardson as Lady Sabrina “The Matriarch”
Sabrina Horniman, Eddie’s mother, is the Dowager Duchess of Halstead. Upstanding and honest, she exudes a chilly maternal gentility. Though she may present as a part of the typical horse-riding country set, this is a front for a more salacious past, and a caustic sense of humour. Often the smartest person in the room, but with very little need to prove it, Sabrina becomes increasingly concerned for the danger Eddie encounters as he tangles with the particulars of the criminal world. Though we sense that there are parts of Sabrina’s life of which her family are not yet aware, Sabrina is resolute in supporting all her children with a discretion learnt from years by the side of their father.
Giancarlo Esposito as Uncle Stan “The American”
An extravagantly wealthy American, Stanley Johnston A.K.A Uncle Stan, is not your archetypal dealer and distributor of methamphetamines. Uncle Stan is obsessed with the history, iconography, and architecture of the British aristocracy. He retains a manservant, socializes with a minor European royal, and practically lives in the most exclusive gentlemen’s club in London. Stan’s fascination with all things posh might go some way to explaining his tailored interest in the new Duke of Halstead, but there are those who suspect Stan’s attack may be two-pronged: with his true goal set on securing Bobby Glass’ substantial market share.
Eddie Horniman (Theo James)
Lady Sabrina (Joely Richardson), Eddie, Charly Horniman (Jasmine Blackborow), Tammy Horniman (Chanel Cresswell), and Freddy Horniman (Daniel Ings)
Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario)
Lady Sabrina
Uncle Stan (Giancarlo Esposito)
Eddie
Geoff Seacombe (Vinnie Jones)
Freddy
Henry Collins (Max Beesley)
Susie
