Gangs of London (TV series)

Gangs of London is a British action crime drama television series created by Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery. Based on London Studio's video game of the same name, it serves as a spinoff of The Getaway franchise.

The first series premiered on 23 April 2020 on Sky Atlantic. In June 2020, it was renewed for a second series, with AMC taking over American broadcast rights and co-producing, and Corin Hardy taking over as showrunner. The second series premiered on 20 October 2022 in the UK and on 17 November 2022 in the US. In November 2022, it was renewed for a third series that premiered on 20 March 2025 in the UK. In August 2025, it was renewed for a fourth series.

The series has received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances, narrative, and action sequences, though some criticism was aimed at its excessive violence.

Premise

The series follows the power struggles of the rival gangs and criminal organisations in London. As one of the world's most dynamic and multicultural cities, London's criminal underworld is thrown into disarray following the assassination of the head of the city's most powerful crime family.

For twenty years, Finn Wallace (Colm Meaney) was the most powerful criminal in London until his death, with billions of pounds flowing through the Wallace Organisation each year. His son Sean Wallace (Joe Cole), with the help of his mother, Marian Wallace (Michelle Fairley), and Finn's right-hand man Ed Dumani (Lucian Msamati), attempts to continue his legacy. Finn's assassination causes ripples across the world of international crime, affecting the Albanian mafia, Kurdish PKK, and the Pakistani drug cartel, among various other criminal elements. Newcomer Elliot Carter (Sope Dirisu), an undercover police officer, is tasked with infiltrating the Wallace Organisation to expose them in their moment of weakness.

Cast and characters

Overview

Main

Joe Cole as Sean Wallace (series 1Ã¢ÂÂ3), the younger son of Finn and Marian Wallace, who fights for leadership of his family's criminal empire after his father's death.
Thomas Simpson portrays Sean as a teenager during flashbacks.
Colm Meaney as Finn Wallace (series 1), the late patriarch of the Wallace family and leader of a criminal empire whose murder throws the London underworld into chaos.
Lucian Msamati as Edward "Ed" Dumani (series 1Ã¢ÂÂ3), the patriarch of the Dumani family and Finn's longtime right-hand man.
Jevan Onasanya portrays Ed as a teenager during flashbacks.
Sope Dirisu as Elliot Carter, an undercover police officer who infiltrates the Wallace Organisation and begins a relationship with Shannon Dumani. Introduced as "Elliot Finch", in the first-season finale, Elliot's real surname is revealed to be "Carter", with the character based on The Getaway video game character Frank Carter, by which surname he is known for the rest of the series.
Ejiro Ndi-Efam portrays Elliot as a child during flashbacks.
Michelle Fairley as Marian Wallace, the ruthless matriarch of the Wallace family.
Brian Vernel as Billy Wallace, the older son of Finn and Marian who suffers from substance abuse.
Pete MacHale portrays Billy as a teenager during flashbacks.
Valene Kane as Jacqueline Robinson (series 1Ã¢ÂÂ2), the daughter of Finn and Marian and a doctor who is estranged from her family for the safety of her unborn child.
Paapa Essiedu as Alexander "Alex" Dumani (series 1Ã¢ÂÂ2), the son of Ed Dumani and a close associate of Sean, who many in the Wallace Organisation believe should inherit Finn's criminal empire.
Pippa Bennett-Warner as Shannon Dumani, the daughter of Ed Dumani, who begins a relationship with Elliot.
Asif Raza Mir as Asif Afridi (series 1Ã¢ÂÂ3), the influential kingpin of the Pakistani drug cartel.
Orli Shuka as Luan Dushaj, the leader of the Albanian mafia in London, who is brought into the Wallace family's disputes when Finn Wallace is murdered on his territory.
Narges Rashidi as Lale, the leader of the Kurdish PKK in London who oversees a heroin distribution ring whilst seeking revenge against Asif.
Mark Lewis Jones as Kinney Edwards (series 1), the leader of a group of Welsh travellers who become involved in the murder of Finn Wallace.
Ray Panthaki as Jevan Kapadia (series 1), the point of contact for the mysterious Investors who wish to tip the scales of the future of London's criminal underworld.
Jing Lusi as Victoria "Vicky" Chung (series 1), a detective inspector in the London Metropolitan Police and Elliot's handler.
Waleed Zuaiter as Koba (series 2), the ruthless leader of the Georgian mafia and an international arms dealer who is brought to London by the Investors to bring order to the city.
Jahz Armando as Saba Soudani (series 2Ã¢ÂÂpresent), Basem's niece who works at a cafe that acts as a front for the Algerian mafia.
Fady Elsayed as Faz Soudani (series 2Ã¢ÂÂ3), Basem's younger nephew and a member of the Algerian mafia who becomes traumatised after a run-in with Koba.
Salem Kali as Basem Soudani (series 2), the leader of the Algerian mafia in London who wants to free his gang from the Investors' control.
Aymen Hamdouchi as Hakim Soudani (series 2), Basem's older nephew and right-hand man in the Algerian mafia.
Andrew Koji as Zeek Kimura (series 3), a mysterious and highly skilled assassin who is secretly Finn's illegitimate son.
Richard Dormer as Cornelius Quinn (series 3), Marian's brother and the leader of an Irish gang.
T'Nia Miller as Simone Thearle (series 3), the mayor of London who targets organised crime in the city by starting a war on drugs.

Recurring

Parth Thakerar as Nasir Afridi (series 1), Asif Afridi's son and a candidate for mayor of London.
Taye Matthew as Danny Dumani, Shannon's young son.
Aksel Ustun as Hekar (series 1), Lale's right-hand man in the PKK.
Adrian Bower as Mark (series 1), the chief enforcer for the Wallace Organisation.
Jude Akuwudike as Charlie Carter (series 1Ã¢ÂÂ2), Elliot's father and a retired boxer.
Adam J. Bernard portrays a younger Charlie during flashbacks.
Nebli Basani as Tariq Gjelaj (series 1), Luan's right-hand man in the Albanian mafia.
Garry Cooper as John Hawks (series 1), a detective chief inspector in the London Metropolitan Police and Vicky's colleague.
Pamela Nomvete as Serwa (series 1; guest series 2), a private investigator hired by Marian.
Richard Pepple as Uche "Mosi" Mossanya (series 1), the leader of the Nigerian mafia.
Mads Koudal as Leif Hansen (series 1), a Danish assassin and the leader of a mercenary unit that the Investors hire to kill various targets.
Arta Dobroshi as Floriana (series 1; guest series 2), Finn's Albanian mistress who is carrying his unborn child.
David Avery as Anthony (series 1), a police officer who infiltrates the Wallace Organisation.
Sharon Morgan as Ingrid Hansen (series 1), Leif's elderly mother.
Eri Shuka as Mirlinda Dushaj, Luan's wife and the mother of his young daughters.
Amanda Drew as Miss Kane (series 2; guest series 1, 3), one of the Investors and Jevan Kapadia's enigmatic superior. In the third season, Kane only appears during flashbacks.
Cornell John as Joseph Singer (series 2; guest series 1), a mysterious and powerful figure who has spent years attempting to take down the Investors.
Rom Blanco as Tamaz (series 2), Koba's right-hand man in the Georgian mafia.
Andi Jashy as Afrim (series 2), a high-ranking enforcer for the Albanian mafia.
Murat Erkek as Merwan (series 2Ã¢ÂÂ3), the new second-in-command and public face of the PKK in London.
Sebastian Armesto as Henry Amiel (series 3), one of the Investors and a government official who advises Simone.
Tim McDonnell as Liam (series 3), Marian's chief enforcer and bodyguard.
Nikolaos Brahimllari as Artan (series 3), a lieutenant in the Albanian mafia.

Guest

Emmett J. Scanlan as Jack O'Doherty (series 1, 3), Finn's personal driver and bodyguard. In the third season, Jack only appears during flashbacks.
Richard Harrington as Mal (series 1), a Welsh traveller and Kinney's right-hand man.
Aled ap Steffan as Darren Edwards (series 1), Kinney Edward's son, who is unknowingly hired to murder Finn Wallace.
Darren Evans as Ioan (series 1), Darren's friend and an accomplice in Finn Wallace's murder.
David Bradley as Jim (series 1, 3), a retired enforcer for the Wallace Organisation and Elliot's former boss.
Kwong Loke as Wong (series 1), the leader of the Chinese Triads in London.
Lobo Chan as Jin Li (series 1), a well-connected Chinese gangster working with Luan.
Gordon Alexander as Cole (series 1), a sadistic hitman hired by Sean.
Laura Bach as Tove Fransen (series 1), Leif's partner and the second-in-command of his mercenary unit.
Azra Rexhepi as Elira Dushaj (series 1Ã¢ÂÂ3), Luan and Murlinda's elder daughter.
Chloe Sulaj as Bukoroshe Dushaj, Luan and Murlinda's younger daughter.
Caroline Lee-Johnson as Evie (series 1), a weapons manufacturer working with the Welsh travellers who employs teenage orphans as her staff.
Frances Tomelty as Niamh Quinn (series 1), Marian's older sister and the head of an Irish crime family.
Tim McInnerny as Mr Jacobs (series 1), Kane's partner and one of the Investors.
Zydrunas Savickas as Abdullah Shafak (series 2), the leader of the Turkish mafia in London.
Ronan Raftery as Darragh (series 2), a younger Irish mercenary working for Marian.
Louis Dempsey as Killian (series 2), an older Irish mercenary working for Marian.
Tamar Baruch as Bibi Agostini (series 2), the French drug queenpin of Paris.
Evelyn Miller as Naomi Keegan (series 3), Elliot's deceased wife who appears during flashbacks.
Phil Daniels as Ronnie Devereux (series 3), Deborah's husband and a retired sanitation worker.
Ruth Sheen as Deborah Devereux (series 3), Ronnie's wife and a bartender who owed a debt to Finn Wallace for helping her son.
Ali Azhar as Ali (series 3), a drug addict who falsely claims a bounty placed by Luan.
George Somner as Moe (series 3), a drug addict and Ali's friend.
Rina Mahoney as Ayesha (series 3), a Pakistani doula working for Asif.
Mat Fraser as Ray (series 3), a pawnbroker who sells guns on the side.
Akiko Hitomi as Emi Kimura (series 3), Zeek's ageing mother and Finn's former lover.
Janet McTeer as Isabel Vaughn (series 3), one of the Investors and the leader of an international drug manufacturing organisation.

Episodes

Series 1 (2020)

Series 2 (2022)

Series 3 (2025)

Production

In an interview with Sky News in April 2020, Gareth Evans stated that while initially hired with his creative partner Matt Flannery to "make a film franchise" out of The Getaway video game series (in particular the third game, 2006 action-adventure Gangs of London, developed by London Studio), inspired by Evans' The Raid duology of action crime films, he had instead felt like "if we were going to do a film franchise, we would have two-thirds of our running time focused purely on our central characters, and then only a third left to explore the side characters that populate that world", and so on deciding that "we wouldn't do justice to the myriad of different diverse cultures and ethnicities that make up the city [I then] pitched it back saying this should be a TV show because you can afford to go off and detour for 10 to 15 minutes and spend time with other characters, and learn about them in more detail." A short film adaptation of the game series had previously been in development in 2005, when The Getaway co-creator Katie Ellwood had first partnered with Amber Templemore-Finlayson, before the project entered development hell (although the duo would continue to collaborate as "Bert and Bertie").

During filming, production visited St Clere Estate in Kent to stage a Traveller site and Dartford to film a speed boat scene near Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. A driving scene was also featured on Pilgrim's Way. Gareth Evans also directed most of the action sequences for the first series.

In June 2020, it was renewed for a for a second series, with Corin Hardy taking over as showrunner. In July 2021, production on the second series had been halted for 10 days following a crew member testing positive for COVID-19. Filming for the second series began on 31 May 2021 and wrapped in February 2022.

In November 2022, it was renewed for a third series, with production starting in October 2023.

In August 2025, it was renewed for a fourth series.

Release

The first series was co-produced with the American pay network Cinemax, which was expected to air the programme alongside Sky Atlantic. However, following an announcement in January 2020 by parent company WarnerMedia that Cinemax would no longer be developing original programming, its producers began negotiating to move the series to another U.S. outlet, with Cinemax's blessing. AMC took over distribution, with the first series premiering on 1 October 2020 on AMC+.

The second series premiered on 20 October 2022. The third series premiered on 20 March 2025.

Reception

Audience viewership

The series became Sky Atlantic's second-biggest original drama launch of all time, with a 7-day cumulative audience of 2.23 million viewers for the opening episode.

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the first series holds an approval rating of 91% based on 33 reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "A modern crime family masterpiece, Gangs of London builds its own empire atop tried and true mafia turf Ã¢ÂÂ complete with engaging drama, exhilarating action, and fine performances all around" GQ said it is "a strong early contender to be the best show of the summer."

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the second series holds an approval rating of 81% based on 16 reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Gangs of London's second series can sometimes border on a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing, but fans of the series' crunchy action and swaggering attitude ought to remain satisfied."

Book

In December 2022, a graphic novel titled A Gangs of London Story: Ghosts was released and is set between the first and second series. It was written by Corin Hardy and Rowan Athale and illustrated by Ferenc Nothof.