Gangs of London (2020)

Overview

Gangs of London is an action-packed British series bearing the signature of Gareth Evans, shedding light on the darkest corners of the criminal underworld. A co-production between Sky Atlantic and AMC, the series centers on London's multicultural and multi-layered criminal organizations, dragging the viewer into an intense experience both visually and dramatically. The fact that direction was undertaken by Gareth Evans, known for the Indonesian action film series "The Raid," is immediately apparent in the realism and raw energy he brings to the fight scenes.

The series is built around the chaos that erupts when the balance of power in London's underworld collapses. After the leader of the Wallace family, who ran the city's organized crime networks, is killed, power struggles both within and outside the family turn the city into a battlefield. Criminal organizations from different ethnic backgrounds clash with one another on a chessboard woven with alliances and betrayals.

The cast features strong names such as Joe Cole, Sope Dirisu, Michelle Fairley, and Lucian Msamati, while Pippa Bennett-Warner brings to life one of the series' most notable characters. Bennett-Warner's performance forms an important balancing element within the show's complex web of characters and contributes to the emotional depth of the story.

Plot

The story begins with the unexpected death of Finn Wallace, head of the Wallace family that has held London's underworld in its grip for years. This death upends the delicate balance of power among all the criminal organizations in the city. As Finn's son Sean Wallace tries to protect his father's legacy, he comes to realize just how difficult it is to hold together the family's vast criminal network.

Meanwhile, criminal organizations from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds — Pakistani, Nigerian, Kurdish, Albanian, and many others — begin acting in their own self-interest. Everyone is after gaining the most from this state of chaos. At the same time, the police force's attempts to infiltrate this complex web add another layer of tension to the story.

Rather than progressing through a single hero or villain, the series presents the perspectives of numerous characters simultaneously, giving the viewer a broad vantage point. Betrayals, loyalties, family ties, and the thirst for power fuel the intertwining storylines throughout the season.

Why Watch It?

The most distinctive feature that sets Gangs of London apart from other crime series is the cinematic quality of its action sequences. Gareth Evans's approach to choreography transforms the fight scenes from ordinary confrontations into an art form that is almost balletic in its fluidity while remaining savage. Every episode contains scenes that surprise the viewer, brimming with tension and technically flawless.

Another strength of the series is its realistic portrayal of London's multicultural fabric. Presenting different ethnic groups with their own languages, traditions, and hierarchies lends the story an authentic texture. This diversity is treated not merely as visual richness but as an element that also heightens the complexity of the narrative.

The series is also quite successful when it comes to character development. No character is drawn as entirely good or entirely bad; everyone has their own motivations, history, and moral gray areas. This causes the viewer's feelings toward the characters to keep shifting throughout.

Who Is It For?

This series is ideal for viewers open to intensely violent scenes and complex, multi-layered storytelling. Viewers who love productions centered on the criminal underworld and who seek realism and technical mastery in action sequences will find what they're looking for in this show. It also offers a satisfying experience for those who enjoy multi-character, complex narrative structures that don't revolve around a single hero.

On the other hand, the series may be somewhat exhausting for viewers who are bothered by intense violence or who struggle to follow productions with numerous characters and subplots. It's fair to say this is a production that requires patient and attentive viewing.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Action sequences with cinema-quality choreography bearing Gareth Evans's signature.

2. A script structure that reflects London's multicultural underworld in an authentic and realistic manner.

3. Strong acting performances and deep, morally gray characters.

Cons:

1. The intense violent content may be disturbing for sensitive viewers.

2. The large number of characters and subplots may make it difficult for some viewers to follow.

Genre and Tone

Gangs of London adopts a dark and tense tone that brings together the crime, drama, and action genres. The series blends the dramatic intensity of classic gangster stories with the technical mastery of modern action cinema. The overall tone is bleak and ruthless; characters are in a constant struggle to survive, and trust almost never exists.

Visually, the series shows both the luxurious and the dark side of London simultaneously. The camera work and mise-en-scène are designed to reflect the city's multi-layered structure. The music and sound design are also elements that heighten the tension and strengthen the atmosphere.

Runtime and Viewing Experience

The episodes generally run between 50-60 minutes, and each episode moves at an intense pace. The plot, which keeps the viewer's attention constantly engaged, is quite suitable for a bingewatch experience. However, due to the complex web of characters and numerous subplots, it's recommended that the series be watched attentively and with focus.

Similar Productions

• Peaky Blinders (2013)

• The Raid (2011) — Gareth Evans's feature film

• Top Boy (2011)

• Snowfall (2017)

• Narcos (2015)

• The Wire (2002)

Final Assessment

Gangs of London is a technically impressive, narratively bold production that brings a fresh breath of innovation to the crime series genre. The visual language Gareth Evans brings from action cinema is the most important element that sets the series apart from its peers. The strong cast, led by Pippa Bennett-Warner, brings complex, morally gray characters to life convincingly.

Approaching London's multicultural underworld from a realistic perspective, the series appeals to both action fans and those who enjoy complex dramatic stories. Although its intense violent content and large number of characters may prove challenging for some viewers, it offers an extremely satisfying experience when watched with patience. For those seeking a distinctive and ambitious production in the crime series genre, Gangs of London absolutely deserves a spot on the list.