Netflix Viewers Are Calling This British Gangster Drama “One Of The Best Shows On The Platform Right Now” – And The Praise Keeps Pouring In

Netflix has no shortage of crime dramas, but one British gangster series is proving particularly difficult for viewers to resist. With clever plotting, ruthless criminal characters and Guy Ritchie’s unmistakable directing style, The Gentlemen has earned glowing reactions from audiences and TV critics alike.

Now, with two series available to stream and a third already in production, the acclaimed crime drama is attracting renewed attention as one of the standout shows on Netflix.

The New York Times Names The Gentlemen Among Netflix’s Best Shows

Earlier this month, The New York Times published its latest guide to the best television shows currently available on Netflix, and The Gentlemen secured a place on the list.

Created by Guy Ritchie, the series is a spin-off of his 2019 crime comedy film of the same name, which starred Matthew McConaughey as an American drug lord attempting to sell his lucrative cannabis empire in London.

The publication praised the original film for its sharp humour, stylish direction and entertaining performances, describing Ritchie’s enjoyment of putting famous actors together to exchange insults and create mischief as a major part of its appeal.

The television series carries that same distinctive energy, blending criminal schemes, dark comedy and unpredictable twists into an entertaining gangster story.

An Aristocrat’s Inheritance Turns Into A Criminal Nightmare

At the centre of the series is Theo James, who plays Eddie Halstead, a British aristocrat whose life takes an extraordinary turn after inheriting a dukedom and his family’s deteriorating estate.

However, the inheritance comes with an unexpected complication: the Halstead property is secretly home to a vast underground cannabis operation.

Suddenly thrust into the criminal underworld, Eddie finds himself dealing with dangerous figures whose interests are closely tied to the estate.

Among them are Hugh Bonneville, known for Downton Abbey, and Giancarlo Esposito, whose performance in Breaking Bad made him a familiar face to crime-drama fans.

Kaya Scodelario, best known for Skins, also stars as Susie Glass. Initially operating behind the cover of an antiques business, Susie is actually the head of the powerful Glass criminal syndicate and the person overseeing the operation at Halstead Manor.

As the story develops, she becomes Eddie’s business partner, drawing him even deeper into a world of competing interests, calculated moves and criminal ambition.

Viewers Are Comparing It To Peaky Blinders

The enthusiasm surrounding The Gentlemen is not limited to professional critics. Viewers have been sharing equally enthusiastic recommendations across online platforms, with some even placing it alongside one of Britain’s most celebrated gangster dramas.

One Reddit user described the series as one of the finest British period crime dramas available, writing:

“So I don’t know how many of you prefer British setting royalty drama, but I kinda enjoy them and have to say the Gentleman is one of the finest out there. It is easily at par with Peaky Blinders (minus the final season). It’s just brilliant, watch it.”

Another viewer was equally impressed after watching both series, describing the experience as an extraordinary piece of storytelling:

“Just watched the Gentlemen, both seasons, and oh my god. This might be the best piece of storytelling I have seen on Netflix in a while. A remarkable, wild ride! Won’t be getting any sleep tonight.”

The praise continued on IMDb, where one viewer went as far as calling it the best production Netflix had delivered in a very long time.

They argued that while much of the platform’s output can feel forgettable, The Gentlemen stands apart thanks to its writing, direction and carefully constructed characters.

The viewer particularly praised the constant twists, explaining how the competing agendas and elaborate schemes kept them guessing throughout the story.

Even when they thought they had figured out what was happening, another unexpected development would turn their assumptions upside down.

Both Series Earn Strong Rotten Tomatoes Scores

The audience enthusiasm is reflected in the show’s critical reception.

Both instalments have received positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, with the second series scoring 87% compared with 75% for the first.

The finale of the second series also left a particularly strong impression on at least one viewer, who praised the ending for elevating the entire story to “Shakespearean heights.”

With its combination of sharp performances, intricate criminal manoeuvres and Guy Ritchie’s distinctive storytelling, the series appears to have maintained its appeal beyond its first run.

The Gentlemen Series 3 Is Already Underway

There is more good news for fans who have already made their way through the available episodes.

Production on the third series is underway, with showrunners confirming back in August that another instalment was on the way.

For anyone who has yet to discover the series, both existing seasons of The Gentlemen are available to stream on Netflix now.

Viewers who want to explore where the story began can also watch Guy Ritchie’s original 2019 film, which is available free of charge on ITVX.

With two acclaimed series already available and another on the way, The Gentlemen is making a strong case for a place on every crime-drama fan’s watchlist.