‘The Gentlemen’ Stars Theo James, Kaya Scodelario & Daniel Ings Spill on Season 2: ‘We Need a Really Interesting Conceit’

The Gentlemen‘s Fate Hangs in the Balance

When Guy Ritchie’s crime-comedy series The Gentlemen stormed onto Netflix in March, it immediately became a global phenomenon. The show—a spin-off of Ritchie’s 2019 film—rocketed to #1 on the platform’s English-language series chart, racking up a staggering 1.2 billion minutes viewed in its first four days alone (per Nielsen). But despite this massive success, the cast is keeping fans on edge about a second season.

During a high-energy panel at Deadline’s Contenders TV event, stars Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, and Daniel Ings candidly addressed the elephant in the room: Will Eddie Horniman’s wild ride through the British underworld continue?

Theo James: ‘It Wasn’t Genuinely Discussed’

Theo James, who plays the reluctant Duke of Halstead, Eddie Horniman, dropped a bombshell that left fans buzzing. “It wasn’t genuinely discussed,” he admitted, referring to conversations about a Season 2. “I think it would be a wrangling process with all of us and Guy. But also, I think with a show like this, if you’re going to do more, you need to come up with a really interesting conceit for Season 2. Because as much as we enjoyed it and as fun as it was, it needs narrative drive.”

James, known for his roles in Divergent and The White Lotus, emphasized that while the first season was a blast, any follow-up must have a compelling story at its core. “If an interesting idea is put forward, then maybe another installment is in the cards. But before that, there needs to be discussions, as it were,” he added, his trademark intensity shining through.

What Would a Second Season Look Like?

The cast didn’t just stop at vague hints—they offered their own imaginative (and hilarious) demands for a potential return. Daniel Ings, who plays Eddie’s chaotic, drug-addicted brother Freddy, joked, “It’s always the story, the character, and then it’s what animal I would dress up as.” Ings’ Freddy famously appeared in a chicken suit in a memorable Season 1 scene. When pressed about his sequel costume, he riffed, “Well, it was two legs last time, wasn’t it? So some sort of quadruped.” Could we see Freddy in a full horse costume? Or perhaps a waddling penguin? The possibilities are endless.

Kaya Scodelario, who portrays the sharp-tongued crime boss Susie Glass, had a more tropical request. “Can we be in the Caribbean, as well?” she asked with a grin. Her idea hints at a sun-drenched, high-stakes expansion of the show’s gritty London setting. Imagine Eddie and Susie navigating a weed farm by the beach, dodging pirates and rival cartels under the blazing sun. It’s a tantalizing prospect that would blend Ritchie’s trademark style with a fresh, exotic backdrop.

The Cast’s Star Power and Chemistry

Beyond the Season 2 speculation, the panel showcased the incredible chemistry among the trio. Theo James and Kaya Scodelario’s on-screen tension has been widely praised, with their banter crackling with danger and wit. Daniel Ings added the perfect comic relief, whether he’s in a chicken suit or fumbling through another drug-fueled disaster.

Scodelario, who rose to fame in Skins and later starred in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, brings a fierce intelligence to Susie Glass. Her character is the de facto head of the criminal syndicate that controls the massive weed farm hidden under the Horniman estate. Fans have fallen in love with her ice-cold demeanor and unexpected vulnerability.

Meanwhile, James has reinvented himself as a leading man in the streaming era. His portrayal of Eddie—a former military officer suddenly thrust into a world of crime and corruption—has drawn comparisons to a modern-day Peaky Blinders antihero. The show’s success has cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents.

The Guy Ritchie Factor

Of course, no discussion of The Gentlemen is complete without mentioning the man behind it all: Guy Ritchie. The director, known for classics like Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, directed the first two episodes and serves as an executive producer alongside Miramax TV and Moonage Pictures. His signature fast-paced dialogue, stylish violence, and eccentric characters are everywhere in the series.

Ritchie’s involvement has already sparked comparisons to his past TV ventures, including the underrated Snatch series. But The Gentlemen has exceeded expectations, becoming a cultural talking point. The show’s success also raises questions about Netflix’s strategy for building out the franchise. With the streaming giant hungry for long-running hits, a Season 2 seems almost inevitable—but only if Ritchie and the writers can crack the story.

Fan Reactions and Industry Buzz

Since the panel, social media has erupted with theories and pleas for a renewal. Fans are particularly excited by Ings’ costume idea, with memes already circulating about what animal Freddy might wear next. Others are dreaming of a Caribbean adventure for Susie Glass, imagining her running operations from a yacht while Eddie struggles to adapt to island life.

Critics have praised the show’s tight eight-episode arc, which wraps up neatly but leaves plenty of room for expansion. Industry insiders suggest that negotiations for a second season are likely already underway, even if the cast remains coy. The sheer viewership numbers make a renewal a no-brainer from a business perspective.

Behind the Scenes: The Creative Process

The series was written by Matthew Read and Guy Ritchie, with Hugh Warren producing. The show’s impressive supporting cast includes Vinnie Jones, Joely Richardson, Giancarlo Esposito, Peter Serafinowicz, and Max Beesley. Their performances have added depth to the show’s criminal underworld, making every scene a tense delight.

If a second season does go ahead, fans can expect more of Ritchie’s signature twists. The show’s success also highlights the growing trend of film-to-TV adaptations, with studios mining their IP for streaming gold. Whether or not the series returns, its impact on the genre is undeniable.

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