Netflix’s best TV series right now is this compelling 2020 British crime drama

TV isn’t what it used to be. For better or worse, what’s undeniable is that the age of streaming has brought with it a plethora of shows to choose from, many of which have received rave reviews. Even if you just watch all the great shows on Netflix, it can be hard to pick just one that’s worth your time.

If you’re browsing through Netflix and don’t know where to go, we’ve got you covered. Gangs of London isn’t a Netflix original, but it’s undeniably one of the best shows available on the surface. It tells the story of the power vacuum that is created when the head of one of London’s most powerful crime families is murdered. Here are four reasons why it’s the perfect show to watch on the service.

It’s a rare modern crime series that acknowledges the complexity of the world

There’s a reason why so many crime shows these days aren’t set in the modern era. Shows like The Sopranos are hard to make, partly because criminal empires simply don’t operate the same way they used to, and the world itself is a more complex place. That’s partly why Gangs of London is so fascinating.

The series seems to understand that London is a fundamentally international city. What’s more, it acknowledges that crime simply isn’t the same as it was 100 years ago, meaning that the plot can get quite convoluted and intricate, but it never feels overwhelming.

It’s beautifully shot

Flannery and Edwards’ sets not only made them famous as filmmakers, but their cinematography also contributed to that. Gangs of London is impeccably filmed and does not look boring, even though the film is set in a world that at first glance seems like the real world.

Instead, it appears to have been shot in real locations and on sets that feel like they were carefully crafted to both look specific and give you a quick understanding of the world you’re living in. London is a beautiful city, and while Gangs of London Despite some of the worst elements, it still looks remarkable.

It features a great cast of mostly unknown actors

While some Britons may be familiar with the names on the Gangs of London cast sheet, most Americans will probably be seeing much of the cast for the first time. While a star can sometimes be good for a show, Gangs of London thrives on the fact that most of the actors are strangers, allowing them to better immerse themselves in their roles.

These actors truly embody their characters, and as a result you feel almost immediately immersed in the world. Like many good crime shows, this one has a fairly large cast, but it is thanks to both the actors and the show itself that you know who everyone is almost immediately.

It was created by two men with impressive resumes

If you care about the creative talent behind a show, then Gangs of London should excite you on that level alone. The show is created by Gareth Edwards and Matt Flannery, who are perhaps the most notable men behind The robbery and the sequel.

If you don’t know what those movies are, they feature some of the best fight choreography and action scenes you’re likely to see in a 21st century film, and they bring that same aesthetic to this show. While the story gets more room to breathe here, Gangs of London features many of the settings for which Edwards and Flannery are now known.

Two seasons of Gangs of London are now available to stream on Netflix.