Charlie Hunnam recently disclosed that the Netflix spinoff The Gentlemen was initially designed to follow his character, Raymondo, as he ascended to power. Due to professional commitments, the production pivoted to the Horniman family instead.
The Raymondo-to-Horniman pivot that reshaped Netflix's spinoff
The Netflix series The Gentlemen was originally intended to serve as a character study of Raymond Smith, the fixer played by Charlie Hunnam in the 2020 film. As reported by ScreenRant, the narrative was meant to track Raymond’s rise to power following the departure of Mickey Pearson, the drug kingpin portrayed by Matthew McConaughey .
Instead, the series shifted its focus to the Horniman family, a group struggling to navigate a criminal underworld after discovering their estate is being used for marijuana cultivation. This change moved the spotlight to leads Theo James and Kaya Scodelario, creating a distinct storyline from the original movie.
A year-long commitment blocked a Guy Ritchie reunion
Director Guy Ritchie reportedly approached Hunnam three times to collaborate on new projects, including the spinoff series. However, Hunnam was unable to accept the offer due to a year-long project that prevented him from joining the production .
As Hunnam told Grant Hermanns during an interview for the Netflix title Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, turning down the pitch was a "really bitter call." The actor's schedule was immediately filled following the release of the original film, leaving Ritchie with no choice but to move forward with a different cast.
Will the Horniman family's expansion invite Raymondo back?
The future of Raymondo’s involvement remains an open question for fans of the franchise. While the spinoff has focused on the Horniman family thus far, the upcoming third season—which beggins filming this month—could provide a pathway for a return.
One specific uncertainty is whether Hunnam would return in a leading capacity or merely as a supporting player. Given the growing scale of the Horniman family's operations,a crossover could potentially reintroduce Raymondo as an established power player in the London underworld.
A heavy workload from Rebel Moon to Legacy of Spies
Charlie Hunnam's recent career trajectory has been defined by a relentless series of high-profile commitments. His recent work includes starring in Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire and appearing in the Netflix series Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.
Beyond these roles, Hunnam is involved in the MGM+ adaptation Legacy of Spies and is developing a Sons of Anarchy spinoff titled Legends. This busy schedule explains why the actor has been unable to secure a slot in Guy Ritchie's recent crime-comedy ventures.
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