19 Reasons You Should Be Watching "Gangs Of London", TV's Most Compelling Action Series
BuzzFeed
·13 min read
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Last month, Gangs of London returned to AMC+, bringing the provocative, blood-soaked action series back with a vengeance.
Pulse Films / Sister / Sky Studios / AMC Networks
Following the jaw-dropping finale, which aired stateside in late 2020, the knock-down, drag-out crime show answered many lingering questions in short order while delivering a new round of shocking twists and turns out of the gate.
If you haven’t had the opportunity, or do not have AMC+, this might be the month to make the most of that free trial as Gangs of London has cemented itself as the most compelling and suspenseful action-drama since the heyday of Game of Thrones.
1.If you like Game of Thrones or The Wire…
2.It was created by the director and cinematographer of The Raid
PT. Merantau Films / Stage 6 Films / XYZ FIlms
Debuting on Sky Atlantic to massive praise and huge ratings in April 2020, Gangs of London was created and developed by Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery, the director and cinematographer behind The Raid film series. If you’re not familiar with The Raid: Redemption or its sequel, these pulse-pounding Indonesian action-thrillers changed the game in terms of modern action filmmaking with some of the most exhilarating and incredibly staged action sequences ever committed to film. When you add in the expansive and colorful world-building on display in The Raid 2, you might suspect what direction the series takes in its depiction of the ultraviolet criminal underworld of London.
3.The Hallow director, Corin Hardy, became Season 2’s showrunner
4.Gangs of London has the best action on television, period
5.Season 1, Episode 6: the best bottle episode in the genre
Pulse Films / Sister / Sky Studios / AMC Networks
There are many fantastic bottle episodes in television history, from those in Mr. Robot, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones. But when it comes to the action television genre, no series can come close to the Sixth (or, for UK viewers, the Fifth) episode of Gang of London's inaugural season, in which a Welsh gang leader attempts to smuggle his son out of the country, despite the latter having been marked for death by several of his enemies. However, when their remote safe house is discovered, highly skilled mercenaries are tasked with killing all within, leading to one of the most action-packed and explosive stand-offs ever produced, which you'll be rooting for our potentially doomed underdogs throughout every electrifying minute.
6.A diverse (and exceptional) ensemble cast
7.Sope Dirisu is killing it as Elliot
8.Joe Cole makes a statement as Sean Wallace
9.Michelle Fairley showcases her bad side as Marian Wallace
10.The mind-blowing twists and turns
AMC Networks / Sky Studios
Of course, one of the biggest strengths of Gangs of London is its ability to follow the story into daring and shocking areas while feeling entirely organic in doing so. From the opening scene to the closing moments of Season 1, Gangs of London doubles down on surprises, proving that no one is safe and no one can be trusted, no matter how much you want to root for their character. Luckily, Season 2 of Gangs of London follows suit, with the shocks coming swiftly and heavily, including one unforgettable moment in Episode 6 of the second season that left this writer's jaw firmly on the floor.
11.Gangs of London is unabashedly provocative and R-rated
12.Waleed Zuaiter’s ruthless new villain in Season 2
13.The stunning camerawork
Pulse Films / Sister / Sky Studios / AMC Networks
From the outstanding long takes to the visually engaging shots on display, the camerawork on Gangs of London is nothing short of stunning, and absolutely elevates the standards of most television programs. With staging and blocking that would put most big-budget action films to shame, Gangs of London has more than a handful of stunning shots that you won't soon forget, and that's without considering the stunning composition capturing the seedy, decrepit foundation of the criminal activities.
14.The pedigree behind the camera
15.The suspense, mystery, and drama of Gangs of London
16.There’s romance in Gangs of London, too!
Pulse Films / Sister / Sky Studios / AMC Networks
If you think Gangs of London is just more blood-and-guts for the boys, fear not, as the show also explores several unconventional romance stories that bring more emotional weight to the table. On one hand, you have Sean Wallace (Joe Cole) and Lale (Narges Rashidi), a Kurdish militia leader and heroin distributor, whose mutual enemies bring them together in the show's most steamy courtship. On the other hand, there's Elliot (Sope Dirisu) and Shannon Dumani (Pippa Bennett-Warner), the daughter of Finn Wallace's right-hand man in need of protection as violence spreads during the power struggle. While neither receives an overwhelming amount of attention, these relationships become critical to the core storyline and lead to some of the more unforeseen story developments on the show, for better or for worse.
17.Gangs of London does not romanticize gangsters
18.Season 3 of Gangs of London is on the way
19.Get ahead of the crowd on this soon-to-be cult classic
Pulse Films / Sister / Sky Studios / AMC Networks
It took a while for television shows like The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, and Game of Thrones to become full-on pop-culture sensations, just as it has taken both The Wire and Deadwood to become small-screen cult classics. But with the promise of excitement, can't-miss action, and excellent drama against the background of gang warfare in every episode, it's only a matter of time before Gangs of London becomes a critical piece of the pop culture lexicon, so the sooner you get on the Gangs of London train, the louder you can yell "I told you so!" to your friends and family once they discover the must-see series.
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