Sky Original Series Presents Gangs of London Season 2 Review by Ryan Balkwill

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama

Created by Gareth Evans, Matt Flannery

Directed by Gareth Evans, Corin Hardy, Xavier Gens

Starring: Joe Cole, Paapa Essiedu, Michelle Fairley, Brian Vernel, Ling Lusi, Lucian Msamati, Sope Dirisu, Pippa Bennett, Ray Panthaki, Asif Raza Mid, & Narges Rashidi.

Composers: Aria Prayogi, Fajar Yuskemal

Executive Producers: Thomas Benski, Lucas Ochoa, Jane Featherstone, Gabriel Silver

Producer: Hugh Warren

Cinematography: Matt Flannery, Martijn van Broekhuizen, Laurent Barès

Production Companies: Pulse Films, Sister, One More One, FendoUK, Sky Studios

Distributor: NBC-Universal Global Distribution, Pulse Films

Plot: On his return to London, an emboldened Luan and the Albanians look to defy the Investors’ grip on the city by dealing arms (supplied to them by Marian Wallace) to other gangs. This puts Luan in direct conflict with the powers that be – and their ruthless enforcer.

I was so hyped for this 2nd season of gangs of London.

Season 2 of Gangs of London was so good.  

Pros: Same as the last season doesn’t shy away from the blood and brutal violent action. There has not been that much of a clear cut lead or antagonist, which worked in this season favour in my opinion. Elliot was easy to root for in certain situations. It kicked off one year later after season one left off and this season got emotion, drama, and tension and turns that surprised me.             

Cons: At times I struggled to keep up with the dialogue through-out this season. I was conflicted on Sean’s character motivation. Every episode is way too long & over done the violence way too much. 

Casts & characters:

Main:

  • Joe Cole as Sean Wallace, the younger son of Finn 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.
  • Lucian Msamati as Edward “Ed” Dumani, the patriarch of the Dumani family and Finn Wallace’s longtime right-hand man.
  • Sope Dirisu as Elliot Carter/ Finch, an undercover police officer who infiltrates the ranks of the Wallace Organisation and begins a relationship with Shannon Dumani.
    • Ejiro Ndi-Efam portrays Elliot as a child during flashbacks.
  • Michelle Fairley as Marian Wallace, the matriarch of the Wallace family and mother to Billy and Sean Wallace, and Jacqueline Robinson.
  • Brian Vernel as Billy Wallace, the older son of Finn Wallace who is suffering from substance abuse.
    • Pete MacHale portrays Billy as a teenager during flashbacks.
  • Valene Kane as Jacqueline Robinson (series 1–2), the daughter of Finn Wallace and a doctor who is estranged from her family for the safety of her unborn child.
  • Paapa Essiedu as Alexander “Alex” Dumani (series 1–2), the son of Ed Dumani and a close associate of Sean Wallace, who many believe should inherit the Wallace criminal empire.
  • Pippa Bennett-Warner as Shannon Dumani, the daughter of Ed Dumani, who begins a relationship with Elliot Finch.
  • Asif Raza Mir as Asif Afridi, the drug 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 fighters in London who oversees a heroin distribution ring whilst seeking revenge against Asif Afridi.
  • Waleed Zuaiter as Koba (series 2), the ruthless leader of the Georgian mafia and an international arms dealer who is brought into London by the Investors to bring order to the city.
  • Jahz Armando as Saba (series 2), Basem’s niece who works at a cafe that acts as a front for the Algerian mafia.
  • Fady Elsayed as Faz (series 2), Basem’s nephew and a young member of the Algerian mafia who becomes traumatized after a run-in with Koba.
  • Salem Kali as Basem Soudani (series 2), the leader of the Algerian mafia who wants to free his gang from the Investor’s control.
  • Aymen Hamdouchi as Hakim (series 2), Basem’s right-hand man in the Algerian mafia.

Recurring:

  • Taye Matthew as Danny Dumani, Shannon Dumani’s young son.
  • Jude Akuwudike as Charlie Carter, Elliot Carter’s father and a retired boxer.
  • Pamela Nomvete as Serwa, a private investigator hired by Marian Wallace.
  • Arta Dobroshi as Floriana  Finn Wallace’s Albanian mistress who is carrying his unborn child.
  • Eri Shuka as Mirlinda Dushaj, Luan Dushaj’s wife and the mother of his young daughters.
  • Amanda Drew as Ms. Kane (series 2), one of the Investors and Jevan Kapadia’s enigmatic superior.
  • Cornell John as Joseph Singer (series 2), a mysterious man 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), an enforcer for the Albanian mafia.
  • Murat Erkek as Merwan (series 2), the new second-in-command and public face of the Kurdish PKK fighters in London.

Guest:

  • Azra Rexhepi as Elira Dushaj, Luan and Murlinda Dushaj’s elder daughter.
  • Chloe Sulaj as Bukoroshe Dushaj, Luan and Murlinda Dushaj’s younger daughter.
  • Ronan Raftery as Darragh (series 2), the younger Irish mercenary working for Marian Wallace.
  • Louis Dempsey as Killian (series 2), the older Irish mercenary working for Marian Wallace.
  • Tamar Baruch as Bibi Agostini (series 2), the French drug queenpin of Paris.

I highly recommend this season as well season one all on catch up.

Rating: 7 out of 10 Stars

Ryan Balkwill:

Resident TV reviewer,

Level Best Art Cafe.

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