Critics all noticed the same change in The Gentlemen season 2, and half of them hate it

If you binged through The Gentlemen and wondered whether the show's slick criminals could get away with even more power grabs, you were onto something. The new series is back for a second round, and this time Guy Ritchie has decided to turn the lights down and let the nastiness spread. Critics have noticed, and they can't quite agree if it's all paid off.

No More Mr Nice Guy

In Season 2, the chaos gets bigger. Eddie Horniman—played by Theo James, who's now getting a lot more to chew on—tries to muscle in on Italian mob turf, attempts to prop up his family's sprawling country estate, and drifts into politics thanks to a legalisation bill. So if you thought it was ambitious before, this year the whole show sprawls out with added international drama. The supporting cast gains some major players: Sergio Castellitto appears as Marco Moretti on the Italian side, Benedetta Porcaroli as Bella, and Hugh Bonneville as the scheming Lord Hawthorne. Giancarlo Esposito is also back, soothing in his own menacing way as Stanley Johnston.

The Gentlemen's current series stretches its criminal turf into Italy, an entire estate to protect, and the fight for a British parliamentary bill—all at once.

A Split Decision from Critics

Some reviewers are loving the newly expanded scope. Variety is quite happy, describing Theo James as 'exceptional' and the season itself as 'engaging' and 'thoroughly entertaining.' Collider chimes in on the positive side too, arguing that the murkier tone actually plays to the show's strengths; apparently, it digs deeper into power, class, and morality. They reckon Eddie's transformation from slightly hapless to hardened crime boss works a treat.

But others aren't quite sold on the changes. ScreenRant has pointed out a downside: as Eddie charges toward the top, Kaya Scodelario's Susie Glass gets pushed onto the sidelines—and if you remember, their partnership was half the fun last time. When the two aren't conspiring, it leaves the new romantic threads feeling a bit forced. Over at Radio Times, they're not mincing words with their opinion that Season 2 'lacks swagger' and might even be going a bit stale. Their complaint is that the show spends too much time meandering in the early episodes and has lost the brash confidence that defined its first outing.

The Details That Stand Out

• Theo James gets a meatier, more brooding role as Eddie, which most critics agree pays off.
• Susie (Kaya Scodelario) loses her spotlight, as her chemistry with Eddie is dialled way back.
• Vinnie Jones makes his presence felt as Geoff; Joely Richardson is turning heads as Lady Sabrina.
• The plotscape now features international crime, British politics, and family inheritance drama on a grander scale.
• A few reviewers think certain storylines are getting short shrift, or else spread a bit too thinly to have much impact over the eight episodes.

Despite the quibbles over pacing and character choices, most agree there's no shortage of colourful antics and new troublemakers. The stage is already set for the next push, with enough stories in play to give Season 3 a running start.