The Gentlemen returns for its second season on Netflix, bringing Theo James back as an aristocrat entangled in organized crime while throwing fresh spotlight on the shifting gender dynamics within the modern gangster genre. According to reports from August, the series previously drew headlines amid rumors that the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, was in early talks to join a potential third season alongside Prince Harry.
The Evolution of Female Gangsters in Television
Female characters in crime dramas are increasingly stepping away from traditional passive roles to drive the narrative. In Guy Ritchie’s universe, Kaya Scodelario portrays Susie Glass, the sharp head of an underground cannabis empire who introduces Eddie (Theo James) to the criminal underworld. According to an interview with Scodelario, audiences initially assumed her character would function merely as a wife or sidekick, whereas Susie operates at the top of the ladder from the outset. Susie’s visual presentation as a millennial girlboss—wearing red lipstick and Instagram-ready outfits—pairs directly with her capacity for high-stakes strategy.
Other television series reflect this broader departure from male-dominated crime tropes. On the Paramount+ series MobLand, which returns for its second season in September, Helen Mirren portrays Maeve Harrigan, a bloodthirsty and protective Irish mob matriarch. According to production details, Mirren’s character outranks male figures like crime boss Conrad Harrigan (Pierce Brosnan) and fixer Harry Da Souza (Tom Hardy) in sheer intimidation. Similarly, Netflix’s Black Doves features Kathryn Hunter as the grudge-holding Lenny Lines and Tracey Ullman as high-level crime boss Alex Clark.
Pro Tip: When analyzing modern crime dramas, look beyond traditional family structures to see how female characters wield financial and operational power behind the scenes, echoing archetypes seen in earlier hits like Peaky Binders with Polly Gray (Helen McCrory).
Production Scale and Prestige in The Gentlemen Season Two
The second season of The Gentlemen adopts a high-budget, twist-heavy format aligned with Netflix’s past prestige hits like The Crown and House of Cards. In the season premiere, Scodelario’s character navigates grouse shooting in tweed, purchases a Botticelli painting at an art auction for £16 million, hatches plans in a lakeside sauna, and pursues masked thieves in a high-speed bike chase. These elaborate sequences illustrate how female characters command physical and logistical space in contemporary crime storytelling.
Did You Know? The character Effy from the British teen drama Skins, which marked Kaya Scodelario’s early breakthrough, was originally misnamed in early reporting before being corrected in September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does season two of The Gentlemen premiere?
Season two of The Gentlemen premieres on Netflix on September 3.
Who stars alongside Theo James in The Gentlemen?
Theo James stars alongside Kaya Scodelario, who plays underground empire boss Susie Glass, as well as Vinnie Jones.
Which streaming service hosts MobLand?
MobLand streams on Paramount+, featuring a cast that includes Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Tom Hardy.
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