Guy Ritchie’s crime drama The Gentlemen dropped around half a million British viewers for its second-season premiere, according to data from the UK’s official ratings body Barb. The Netflix series returned on September 3, drawing three million viewers in Britain during its first week, a roughly 15 per cent decline from the first season’s March 2024 debut of 3.5 million streams.
Barb Ratings Reveal Viewership Slump for Season Two
The latest figures from Barb highlight a cooling audience for the stylish gangster series starring Theo James as an aristocrat who discovers his inherited estate conceals a sprawling cannabis operation. Netflix’s global data tracked an even starker contrast, recording 6.7 million views for the second season in its opening four days—nearly half the figure achieved by the first season, according to Deadline. Despite the steep drop, Netflix has already greenlit a third run.
Casting Rumours and the Duchess of Sussex Backlash
The ratings slide coincided with widespread reports linking the Duchess of Sussex to a potential role in the show’s confirmed third season. According to GB News, the Duchess had been in advanced talks to join the cast prior to her move to Britain with Prince Harry last month, an acting opportunity that reportedly played a part in the family’s decision to relocate with their two children.
Within 24 hours of the news becoming public, the prospective deal was cast into serious doubt. Former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown reported that the offer “has been withdrawn due to a public backlash.” Rather than originating from the creators of The Gentlemen—who had anticipated a substantial public reaction—the hesitation was believed to have come from the Sussexes or Netflix. Neither Netflix nor the Sussexes have commented on the reports.
Did you know? Prior to her marriage to Prince Harry within the royal family, the Duchess gained her greatest fame playing attorney Rachel Zane throughout seven installments of the U.S. legal series Suits, a role she walked away from in 2017. More recently, she made a return to the screen with a cameo appearance as herself in the comedy Close Personal Friends.
Broader Streaming Patterns and Netflix’s Global Reach
The audience decline reflects a broader challenge for Netflix, which has seen follow-up seasons of several hit programmes struggle to match their predecessors’ opening numbers. Co-chief executive Ted Sarandos addressed the issue in July, arguing it was an inevitable consequence of the company’s scale. “Our global reach, our discovery mechanism, releasing all at once… This enables us to find a very large audience early, so our shows tend to start really big,” he said, noting at the same time that the pace of drop-off between seasons had actually shown improvement compared to the previous year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many viewers did the second season of The Gentlemen draw in the UK?
According to Barb data, the opening episode drew three million viewers in Britain during its first week, down from 3.5 million for the first season.
Has Meghan Markle officially joined the cast of The Gentlemen?
No. While reports indicated she was in advanced talks for a role in the third season, former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown reported that the offer was subsequently withdrawn following a public backlash.
Has Netflix renewed The Gentlemen for a third season?
Yes, Netflix has already greenlit a third run of the crime drama despite the lower opening figures for season two.
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