When aristocratic soldier Eddie Horniman inherits his father’s massive country estate, he discovers it comes with an unexpected and dangerous bonus: a sprawling cannabis empire operating right beneath his feet. This is the high-stakes world of The Gentlemen, the 2024 Netflix series from filmmaker Guy Ritchie that expands on the universe of his 2019 film. The show mixes British high society with a dangerous criminal underworld, brought to life by a cast of experienced on-screen gangsters and noble figures. Here is a complete guide to the characters and the actors who play them.
The Reluctant Duke and The Cannabis Queen
At the heart of the story are two central figures from entirely different worlds, whose fates become inseparably linked by the drug business thriving on the Halstead Manor estate.
Theo James plays Edward “Eddie” Horniman, the new Duke of Halstead. Eddie is a captain in the British Army and the second son who never expected to inherit the title or the estate. Theo James describes his character’s journey, stating, “He realizes that the estate, this crumbling vestige of the British Empire, has been propped up by criminality”. Eddie’s main goal is to free his family from this dangerous world, but he finds himself getting drawn in deeper. James adds that Eddie discovers a new kind of power in this life of crime, and “he gets addicted to it”. Audiences may recognize Theo James from his roles in The White Lotus Season 2, the Divergent series, and Sanditon.
Kaya Scodelario plays Susie Glass, the stylish, sardonic, and steely woman who runs her father’s criminal organization. She is the one who reveals the massive weed operation to Eddie and becomes his unlikely partner in managing the chaos. Scodelario explains that Susie’s entire life has been shaped by her father, Bobby Glass. “She really respects and admires him. I picture her at 6 years old, sneaking downstairs, listening in to his business meetings, watching him conduct himself”. Kaya Scodelario is known for her roles in The Maze Runner series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, and the teen drama Skins.
The Horniman Family and Estate
Eddie’s inheritance is complicated by his wildly unpredictable family and the loyal staff who have their own secrets.
Daniel Ings plays Freddy Horniman, Eddie’s older brother. As the first-born son, Freddy expected to inherit everything and has spent his life partying and failing at business ventures. Ings describes Freddy as “a proud idiot who is convinced that he is worthy of so much more than life gives him”. His poor decisions, including accumulating massive debt with dangerous people, kickstart much of the series’ trouble. Daniel Ings has appeared in Sex Education, I Hate Suzie, and The Crown.
Joely Richardson is Lady Sabrina, the Dowager Duchess of Halstead and mother to Eddie, Freddy, and Charly. She appears to be an upstanding member of the aristocracy but is hiding a more salacious past. Richardson suggests that the family’s motto would be “Silence is golden”. Joely Richardson’s previous work includes Nip/Tuck, The Patriot, and 101 Dalmatians.
Vinnie Jones plays Geoff Seacombe, the stoic gamekeeper of the Halstead Manor. Geoff knows every inch of the estate and serves as a loyal protector and confidant to the Horniman family. Jones explains his role: “I’m the protector of the family, whether it’s secrets or whether it’s burying bodies on the estate to hush it up”. Vinnie Jones has a long history with Guy Ritchie, having starred in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.
The Criminal Underworld
The weed empire beneath the estate is just one part of a much larger and more dangerous network of criminals and schemers that Eddie and Susie must navigate.
Ray Winstone is Bobby Glass, Susie’s father and the incarcerated head of the cannabis operation. From his luxury prison cell, Bobby still pulls the strings of his organization. Winstone describes Bobby as a businessman, but offers a warning: “You’ve got to be very careful what you say about the Glasses — and who you say it to”. Ray Winstone is renowned for his tough-guy roles in films like Sexy Beast, The Departed, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Giancarlo Esposito plays Stanley Johnston, an ultra-wealthy American who presents himself as a lover of British aristocracy. Susie, however, reveals he is actually a crystal meth kingpin looking to expand his operations into the weed industry. Giancarlo Esposito is famous for his iconic performances as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, and for roles in The Boys and The Mandalorian.
Peter Serafinowicz appears as Tommy Dixon, a vicious drug dealer from Liverpool with a penchant for brightly colored tracksuits. His conflict with Freddy Horniman sets a major plot in motion. Serafinowicz is known for The Tick, Shaun of the Dead, and Guardians of the Galaxy. His on-screen brother, Gospel John, is played by Pearce Quigley, who heads a Scouse cocaine syndicate.
Key Players in the Business
Running a drug empire requires a team, and Susie relies on a mix of specialists and enforcers to keep things running.
Michael Vu plays Jimmy Chang, Susie’s chief weed grower and a specialist in cannabis. Jimmy is constantly high on his own supply and easily distracted, but his sweet nature and expertise make him a valuable asset. Michael Vu’s previous work includes Anuvahood and Sumotherhood.
Harry Goodwins is Jack Glass, Susie’s younger brother. Jack helps with the family business when needed, but his real passion is becoming a professional boxer, a goal often complicated by his active love life. This is one of Harry Goodwins’ first major roles.
Max Beesley plays Henry Collins, a successful London boxing promoter and ex-army officer. He is smooth-tongued and genial on the surface, but there is a darker, more dangerous side beneath his charm. Max Beesley has starred in Hijack, The Outsider, and Mad Dogs.
The Gentlemen Film Connection
While the Netflix series features a new story and new characters, it exists in the same universe as Guy Ritchie’s 2019 film, The Gentlemen. That movie featured an all-star cast led by Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Pearson, an American expat who built a massive marijuana empire in London and wants to sell it. The film’s ensemble included Charlie Hunnam as Raymond, Mickey’s loyal right-hand man; Michelle Dockery as Rosalind, Mickey’s fierce wife; Henry Golding as the ambitious gangster Dry Eye; Colin Farrell as the Coach; and Hugh Grant as Fletcher, a sleazy private investigator. The series continues the film’s themes of criminal enterprise clashing with high society but from the fresh perspective of an aristocrat who never asked for the trouble.
The eight-episode first season of The Gentlemen is available to stream on Netflix as of March 7, 2024. In August 2024, the show was officially renewed for a second season, meaning more trouble is on the horizon for Eddie Horniman and Susie Glass.
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Credits: Netflix Tudum, Wikipedia, Radio Times
