There's no doubting the scale of Netflix's streaming empire – it's been built over the course of a decade or so, and it involves some of the biggest franchises you could care to name, even if some of them are now over. From Stranger Things to Squid Game, there are behemoths in its library – but what's it's biggest current show?
By sheer viewership, something like Bridgerton almost certainly has a major shout, but I'd put a small vote in for The Gentlemen right now, not least because it's about to get a second season that looks far bigger than the first. From director and writer Guy Ritchie, this classic mob tale seems to be going from strength to strength, and leaning into its fun characters and arch tone.
The show stars Theo James as Eddie, also known as the Duke, along with Kaya Scodelario as his business partner, Susie. Having inherited a huge set of property last season, only to discover that it was in fact, an underground weed empire that he almost certainly had to keep up himself, Eddie's now growing in his ambitions.
From the trailer, it looks clear that he's got his eyes on more revenue streams, and the Italian mafia might be the next in his sights. Whether that means a hostile takeover or a partnership is a little hard to gauge from the clips we get in the trailer, but it's obvious that this will involve some luxurious new locations.
Meanwhile, all the old faces from the last season (including the obligatory Ray Winstone and Vinnie Jones) are knocking about looking for violence and muttering dark lines. It looks like great fun, and a bit more ambitious than the already successful first season.
With this calibre of director signed up, and a cast that seems committed to the show, I'd think this would be one of the bigger hits for Netflix at a time when it's arguably starting to refresh its staple of shows. Whether the second season of The Gentlemen can capitalise on that opportunity will become clearer when it comes out on 3 September.
