My favorite action movie ever made is 2014's “The Raid 2” (and its predecessor, “The Raid,” isn't far behind), so when I learned that director Gareth Evan was co-creating an action thriller TV series that would bring the martial arts-inspired pulp action genre of “The Raid” to the small screen, my interest was immediately piqued.
Eventually, “Gangs of London” was released in April 2020 and delivered on the promise of its basic premise with 10 episodes packed with thrilling action spectacle and just enough melodrama between generally compelling characters to give the brutal fight sequences a real emotional underpinning. A second season quickly followed in 2022 and offered more of the same excellent concoction.
The series originally debuted on AMC Plus, but it arrived on Netflix US this week, and I'm glad its arrival on one of the best streaming services gives it an extra boost (it's way too underrated for my tastes). Plus, its Netflix launch is timely, with a third season in the works. Here's why you need to watch 'Gangs of London' on Netflix right now…
What is “Gangs of London” about?
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Described by NME as “Game of Thrones but without the dragons” on the DVD box, Gangs of London is an action thriller set in, you guessed it, London. It focuses on the dangerous power struggle that threatens to consume the entire city after the murder of Finn Wallace (Colm Meaney), the head of the dominant Wallace mafia family.
His impulsive son Sean (Joe Cole) takes the reins and sets out not only to strengthen his family's grip on London, but to flush out those responsible for his father's death, no matter the cost. But Sean's actions are not without consequences, and the Wallaces' rivals are plotting to seize power. Of course, in the criminal world, you can't trust anyone, so prepare for dirty tricks and power plays aplenty.
The sense of distrust is reinforced by the arrival of Elliot Carter (Sope Dirisu), a new undercover police officer who seeks to infiltrate the Wallace organization and bring it down from the inside. The series may not reach the level of Game of Thrones in terms of production quality or budget, but it is just as entertaining.
“Gangs of London”: a concentration of thrills on television
I knew I was going to like “Gangs of London” from the first episode, during an extremely intense scene in which Elliot takes on a massive henchman armed with a butcher knife. This brutal, action-packed confrontation has all the hallmarks of “The Raid” movies, and it’s just one of many remarkable action moments in “Gangs of London.”
If you're looking for something to watch on Netflix that will get your heart racing, 'Gangs of London' is the perfect option.
There’s no doubt that “Gangs of London” is at its best in its action moments. When the focus is on fights to the death, the series shines in a way that no other action thriller has ever managed to match. However, the drama that unfolds around the characters is also surprisingly compelling, even when it’s quite melodramatic. These two elements mesh perfectly to give the series real stakes.
Gangs of London season 2 isn't as successful, with the balance between brutal action and dramatic twists not being as well done, but it certainly has its strengths, and it's still a must-watch if you enjoyed the first chapter. Plus, while they don't have as much narrative impact, the fight scenes are just as impressive.
Critics seem to agree with my assessment. Season 1 of “Gangs of London” has an impressive 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoesbut season 2 only hits 81%, and while that's a pretty notable drop, it's still a very solid score. Meanwhile, viewership scores for the first season are at 86%, but a more tepid 70% for season 2.
Watch Gangs of London on Netflix now
If you’re looking for something to watch on Netflix that will get your heart pumping, “Gangs of London” is the perfect option. It’s pulpy entertainment from start to finish, provided you can stomach some seriously violent sequences and performances that wouldn’t be out of place in a B-movie. Plus, with two seasons to binge-watch (18 episodes in total), the series should keep you busy for several nights—or you could binge-watch it all in one lazy weekend.
With 'Gangs of London' season 3 currently in production, make sure you're up to date on the gang warfare raging just beneath the surface of the UK's historic capital, now that the often criminally overlooked series is available to stream on Netflix.
Need more viewing options? Be sure to catch this masterful Netflix film before it leaves the service later this week, and the big red streamer has also added a cult horror series you won't want to miss either.
Watch “Gangs of London” Season 1-2 on Netflix NOW