Netflix's crime drama The Gentlemen has returned for a second season, taking a notably darker turn as Eddie Horniman's (Theo James) criminal empire expands and fractures under pressure. In interviews with Collider, cast members Ray Winstone, Giancarlo Esposito and Vinnie Jones discuss their characters' arcs, including confirmation from Esposito that his mysterious figure Stanley "Mr. Johnston" has a defined "end game" that will shape where the story heads next.

The season sees Eddie clash with mentor Bobby Glass (Winstone) after going against his wishes, resulting in Bobby leaving him for dead before further tragedy strikes with the death of Eddie's new wife, Bella (Benedetta Porcaroli), in a plane explosion. Bobby also grapples with a growing belief in a mythical force called "the Bannick," raising doubts among those around him about his state of mind, while Esposito's enigmatic Mr. Johnston pushes Eddie towards a destiny beyond organised crime. Vinnie Jones's character Geoff, meanwhile, remains one of the few steadying influences in Eddie's life.