Latest news with #GangsOfLondon
The National
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Gangs of London actors on how the show strikes the perfect balance of action and drama
Three seasons in, Gangs of London hasn't lost any of its dark grandeur, with the British crime drama still delivering a potent mix of white-knuckle action and brooding pathos. At its centre are characters navigating a foreboding urban landscape where brutality is as prized as ambition. British-Nigerian actor Sope Dirisu, who plays undercover officer turned mob enforcer Elliot Finch, describes the series' sprawling scope – involving warring multicultural criminal syndicates battling for control of London's underworld – as positively Shakespearean. 'When I first met with Gareth [Evans, series co-creator] almost seven years ago, he spoke about the operatic nature of the series. And I think it's a very small step between opera and grand theatre, which is Shakespeare,' Dirisu tells The National. Dirisu, who began his career with stints with London's Royal Shakespeare Company, sees Elliot as a figure drawn from that tradition – torn between duty, survival and loss. 'Looking at the entire city through that kind of lens means you need characters who can stand on that stage and carry the story,' he says. 'Elliot, being front and centre from the beginning of the series, needs to have a certain gravity – but also the ability to hold silence. If the whole series was just big explosions, it wouldn't be as gripping.' That balance of grit and gravity continues to shape Gangs of London. The action in the new episodes is as kinetic as ever, but often grounded by the unfolding drama of morally complex characters. For Iranian-German actress Narges Rashidi, who plays Kurdish militia leader Lale, the show's moral tension is what keeps the series compelling. 'We rarely see drama and action combined so well,' she says. 'If it's action-heavy, usually there is not much emotionality or depth. I feel like we've managed to achieve that balance.' As Lale is one of the show's most fully realised characters – an idealist using criminal activity to serve a wider political goal – Rashidi approached the role methodically. 'That complexity makes her special but, as an actor you do research. I studied the London crime scene extensively, the Kurdish crime scene in particular. But then the show allows you to go to places where you just jump in and trust your instincts,' she says. From her tightly coiled emotional restraint to sudden bursts of violence, Rashidi compares Lale to a jaguar. 'There's this profound stillness in her. But what I love about the character is when this animal emerges, it's not pretty any more and not silent. It's just an unleashed force,' she says. The same can be said of Gangs of London 's extraordinary action sequences, whose bloody and balletic style evokes the work of classic Hong Kong filmmakers John Woo and Tsui Hark. Dirisu credits Evans – who announced himself with the acclaimed 2011 Indonesian action film The Raid – with setting the tone for the show's signature visual mayhem. 'I think it's very clear that he has a wonderful East Asian cinema influence in his own filmmaking,' Dirisu notes. 'And I think he would be delighted as a Welshman to be continuing the strong history of East Asian cinema throughout the world.' While hyper-stylised, the action is meant to up the emotional stakes as opposed to being purely escapism, Dirisu says. 'I think it's easy to create action heroes who just storm into a bar and beat up seven guys and then they're seen as invincible. Whereas what was really important about this character is that he's actually just a human being. He's not a superhero and he is not Batman,' he adds. 'So he's not going to come through unscathed through everything. There have to be moments of jeopardy for us to care about whether or not he's going to survive this sequence. Otherwise, it just becomes something that we can sit back and let wash over us.' That eclectic style extends to both the multicultural plotline and production team. Gangs of London reflects the city's cosmopolitanism through a network of rival criminal factions. While Dirisu and Rashidi share the screen with standout performances from Pakistani actor Asif Raza Mir, British-Tanzanian actor Lucian Msamati and British-Albanian actor Orli Shuka, half of the third season's eight episodes are directed by South Korea's Kim Hong-sun, known for Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area. Rashidi says the international continent is essential to the success of the series. 'London is incredibly diverse with so many cultures, languages, people from every background. Our producers understand this is London's reality, and it's crucial we reflect that both behind and in front of the camera,' she says. 'Everyone behind the camera brings something from their culture, their background, making it more authentic.' Dirisu says the series has already cemented its legacy through its scale and visual ambition. 'There have been a lot of series that have tried and done very well to emulate the action design that we have achieved in Gangs of London,' he says. 'And it's a wonderful little gentle competition to keep the quality high and to do something again that people haven't seen before.' This raises the question of whether a fourth season is on the way. 'Whenever I come to the end of a really good story, I'm always asking: 'What's next?'' Dirisu says. 'Give us some time to cook it up, so we can make sure it's good.'
Irish Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Oasis calling on fans to share 'deep meaning' stories for tour film
Oasis fans are being invited to share their stories about "a particular song" that holds "deep meaning" to them for the Oasis Live '25 Tour film. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is producing the reuniting Britpop legends' documentary, with renowned filmmakers Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace on board to direct - the duo behind LCD Soundsystem's concert film Shut Up And Play The Hits. Magna Studios - whose credits include Beastie Boys Story, Gangs Of London, 20000 Days On Earth, and Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now - are heading up the production and are asking fans to send in their special memories associated with the Live Forever hitmakers' songs for potential inclusion in the film. A post on the website read: "Now, in the year of Oasis' sell out reunion tour, Magna Studios and Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, A Thousand Blows) - in association with Oasis - are making a film exploring how this band's music has become so important to so many. "We are asking people all over the world if there is a particular Oasis song that has deep meaning for you. A song that tells the story of a life changing moment, a love, a loss, a heartbreak, or a break for freedom. "Whatever the Oasis song, whatever the story – tell us…" Oasis' UK and Ireland shows - their first in 16 years - will kick off in Cardiff on July 4 and see them joined by special guests Richard Ashcroft and Cast. The Supersonic band will also play USA, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Argentina, Chile and Brazil. Meanwhile, frontman Liam Gallagher recently dismissed fan concerns over his vocal health ahead of the long-awaited reunion tour. The 52-year-old frontman - who has Hashimoto's disease, which can cause a hoarse voice - sparked a frenzy online after posting about taking throat lozenges, sour candies and cough syrup, prompting speculation from fans that his voice might not hold up during his and older brother Noel's upcoming stadium comeback shows this summer. One fan messaged him on X after his admission: "@liamgallagher If you need that many throat stuff does that mean anytime your voice can still go? We don't want cancellations." Liam replied: "Shut up you melt." Another user asked the singer: "@liamgallagher Did you eat all your sour throat candies yesterday?" – to which Liam responded: "@adele_liam I did 2 pacs." The Oasis reunion marks the first time the band have performed together since 2009, when they split after a backstage altercation between the siblings at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. Their return to the stage has been one of the most anticipated music events of the decade. Rehearsals kicked off in London, with Liam joining his bandmates — including his brother Noel, 58 — for rehearsals this week.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oasis fans invited to send personal stories for Oasis Live '25 Tour film
Oasis fans are being invited to share their stories about "a particular song" that holds "deep meaning" to them for the Oasis Live '25 Tour film. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is producing the reuniting Britpop legends' documentary, with renowned filmmakers Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace on board to direct - the duo behind LCD Soundsystem's concert film Shut Up And Play The Hits. Magna Studios - whose credits include Beastie Boys Story, Gangs Of London, 20000 Days On Earth, and Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now - are heading up the production and are asking fans to send in their special memories associated with the Live Forever hitmakers' songs for potential inclusion in the film. A post on the website read: "Now, in the year of Oasis' sell out reunion tour, Magna Studios and Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, A Thousand Blows) - in association with Oasis - are making a film exploring how this band's music has become so important to so many. We are asking people all over the world if there is a particular Oasis song that has deep meaning for you. A song that tells the story of a life changing moment, a love, a loss, a heartbreak, or a break for freedom. 'Whatever the Oasis song, whatever the story – tell us…' Oasis' UK and Ireland shows - their first in 16 years - will kick off in Cardiff on July 4 and see them joined by special guests Richard Ashcroft and Cast. The Supersonic band will also play USA, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Argentina, Chile and Brazil. Meanwhile, frontman Liam Gallagher recently dismissed fan concerns over his vocal health ahead of the long-awaited reunion tour. The 52-year-old frontman - who has Hashimoto's disease, which can cause a hoarse voice - sparked a frenzy online after posting about taking throat lozenges, sour candies and cough syrup, prompting speculation from fans that his voice might not hold up during his and older brother Noel's upcoming stadium comeback shows this summer. One fan messaged him on X after his admission: '@liamgallagher If you need that many throat stuff does that mean anytime your voice can still go? We don't want cancellations.' Liam replied: 'Shut up you melt.' Another user asked the singer: '@liamgallagher Did you eat all your sour throat candies yesterday?' – to which Liam responded: '@adele_liam I did 2 pacs.' The Oasis reunion marks the first time the band have performed together since 2009, when they split after a backstage altercation between the siblings at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. Their return to the stage has been one of the most anticipated music events of the decade. Rehearsals kicked off in London, with Liam joining his bandmates — including his brother Noel, 58 — for rehearsals this week.
Perth Now
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Oasis fans invited to send personal stories for Oasis Live '25 Tour film
Oasis fans are being invited to share their stories about "a particular song" that holds "deep meaning" to them for the Oasis Live '25 Tour film. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is producing the reuniting Britpop legends' documentary, with renowned filmmakers Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace on board to direct - the duo behind LCD Soundsystem's concert film Shut Up And Play The Hits. Magna Studios - whose credits include Beastie Boys Story, Gangs Of London, 20000 Days On Earth, and Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now - are heading up the production and are asking fans to send in their special memories associated with the Live Forever hitmakers' songs for potential inclusion in the film. A post on the website read: "Now, in the year of Oasis' sell out reunion tour, Magna Studios and Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, A Thousand Blows) - in association with Oasis - are making a film exploring how this band's music has become so important to so many. We are asking people all over the world if there is a particular Oasis song that has deep meaning for you. A song that tells the story of a life changing moment, a love, a loss, a heartbreak, or a break for freedom. 'Whatever the Oasis song, whatever the story – tell us…' Oasis' UK and Ireland shows - their first in 16 years - will kick off in Cardiff on July 4 and see them joined by special guests Richard Ashcroft and Cast. The Supersonic band will also play USA, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Argentina, Chile and Brazil. Meanwhile, frontman Liam Gallagher recently dismissed fan concerns over his vocal health ahead of the long-awaited reunion tour. The 52-year-old frontman - who has Hashimoto's disease, which can cause a hoarse voice - sparked a frenzy online after posting about taking throat lozenges, sour candies and cough syrup, prompting speculation from fans that his voice might not hold up during his and older brother Noel's upcoming stadium comeback shows this summer. One fan messaged him on X after his admission: '@liamgallagher If you need that many throat stuff does that mean anytime your voice can still go? We don't want cancellations.' Liam replied: 'Shut up you melt.' Another user asked the singer: '@liamgallagher Did you eat all your sour throat candies yesterday?' – to which Liam responded: '@adele_liam I did 2 pacs.' The Oasis reunion marks the first time the band have performed together since 2009, when they split after a backstage altercation between the siblings at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. Their return to the stage has been one of the most anticipated music events of the decade. Rehearsals kicked off in London, with Liam joining his bandmates — including his brother Noel, 58 — for rehearsals this week.
Digital Trends
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
3 underrated Netflix shows you should watch this weekend (May 30-June 1)
If you've ever wasted hours scrolling through Netflix looking for the perfect show to watch, you should know that you're not alone. It can be difficult to find exactly the right thing. Some shows are too long and don't have the right tone or vibe. Then, you wind up hoping to find something better. We've taken all the guesswork out of picking something to watch, though. With this list, we've picked three underrated shows with different tones and lengths, each of which is available on Netflix right now. You should check them out. Recommended Videos Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new shows to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, the best shows on Max, and the best shows on Disney+. Gangs of London (2020-) Everyone loves a gangster show, and Gangs of London is one of the best. The series follows a group of international crime families who converge on London in the aftermath of the assassination of a hugely powerful figure in the city's underworld. Although it's a sprawling story over three seasons, Gangs of London has also featured the kind of tension and action that few series can generate. That's likely thanks, at least in part, to the influence of Gareth Evans. However, it's also a function of the fast-paced writing of the series, which has continued to build momentum each season. You can watch Gangs of London on Netflix. The Pacific (2010) This less widely heralded younger brother of Band of Brothers is no less an accomplishment than the original series. The show is set in the Pacific Theater during World War II. It follows the lives of three soldiers as they battle their way across the Pacific during the entire war. With the backing of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, no expense was spared in the recreation of some of the most important battles of the war, but what's remarkable about The Pacific is how much time the show takes to remind us how young the men fighting this war were and how much it changed the course of their lives. You can watch The Pacific on Netflix. Supernatural (2005-2020) One of the longest-running shows in the history of sci-fi television, Supernatural went through many phases of life over the course of its 15 years on the air. At its core, the show was always about two brothers hunting monsters and fighting for each other no matter what life threw at them. Part of the show's brilliance comes from the way that circumstances around these two might change, but their personalities remain the same. No show can run for 15 years without being a great watch, and that's exactly what Supernatural is. You can watch Supernatural on Netflix.
