Gangs of London - Season 3 (2026) TV Series Review: A Visceral, Bone-Crunching Masterclass in Action and Betrayal on AMC+

Gangs of London returns for its third season in 2026, and it has never felt more dangerous, complex, or uncompromisingly brutal. This high-octane crime drama, originally created by the visionary duo of Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery, continues to carve its own bloody path through the landscape of modern television. Produced by Sky Studios in association with AMC+, the show remains a unique beast in the current TV landscape. It is a series that famously began its life as an adaptation of a PlayStation portable game, yet it has long since evolved into one of the most sophisticated and visually stunning thrillers on the air. By maintaining the "The Raid-level" action choreography that made its debut a sensation, Season 3 proves that there is still plenty of life, and even more death, left in the criminal underbelly of the English capital.

The third outing, consisting of eight episodes, premiered on January 15, 2026, and it immediately ups the ante for its returning cast. The magnetic Sope Dirisu leads the charge as Elliot Carter, the undercover cop turned gangland kingpin who finds himself under more pressure than ever before. He is joined by the formidable Joe Cole as Sean Wallace, whose calculating presence looms large even from behind prison walls. The ensemble is further bolstered by the likes of Lucian Msamati, Michelle Fairley, and Brian Vernel, while the production adds significant firepower with newcomers Andrew Koji and T’Nia Miller. The season kicks off with a devastating inciting incident: a batch of spiked cocaine kills hundreds of people at a club during one of Elliot’s major deals. This isn't just a blow to his reputation; it’s a catalyst for a political firestorm that threatens to change the face of London's drug trade forever.

Narrative Arc and Pacing: A Tense Race Against the Clock

The storytelling arc of Season 3 is remarkably tight, centering on a double-pronged mystery that propels the narrative forward with a sense of urgent, breathless momentum. At the heart of the conflict is the search for the party responsible for the spiked drugs, an act that has put major suspicion on Elliot and provided the political fuel for a campaign to legalize drugs to undercut the mobs. This plotline acts as a ticking clock, forcing every character to make impossible choices as their alliances strain under the crisis. There is no such thing as a filler episode in this world; the writers have crafted a season that is tightly plotted, where every scene serves as a brick in a mounting wall of tension.

The pacing is relentless, avoiding the mid-season slump that often plagues serialized dramas by constantly shifting the goalposts for its protagonists. The narrative is a complex web of conspiracies and betrayals that feel both fresh and deeply rooted in the show’s established lore. While the story occasionally moves so quickly that some of the finer details of the twists can become slightly muddled, the overarching sense of dread is expertly maintained. The introduction of Andrew Koji’s mysterious character adds a layer of personal stakes for Elliot, linking present-day gang warfare to the psychic wounds left by the death of his wife and son. It is a twisty, intense ride that keeps the audience guessing until the very last frame.

Character Evolution and Performances: The Emotional Weight of the Criminal Life

Sope Dirisu delivers what is undoubtedly a series-best performance this season. As Elliot Carter, he is a man besieged on all sides, struggling to maintain his grip on power while being flooded by the resurfacing trauma of his past. Dirisu captures the exhaustion and the flickering embers of Elliot’s humanity with a grounded, heartfelt intensity that anchors the show’s more fantastical violence. He portrays a character who is increasingly aware of the cost of his choices, making his journey feel both tragic and earned. Joe Cole’s Sean Wallace continues to be a figure of immense gravitas. Even with a reduced amount of screen time outside the main plotlines due to his incarceration, Cole makes every second count, portraying a man who is still a master manipulator, cooking up new plans from his jail cell.

The newcomers fit into this world with surprising ease. Andrew Koji is a stellar addition, bringing a believably deadly physical presence alongside a nuanced performance that adds a new dimension to the show's power dynamics. T’Nia Miller is equally impactful as the new, tough-on-drugs mayor, providing a formidable political adversary for the city's criminal elements and adding additional impact to the season's societal commentary. Narges Rashidi remains a standout as Lale, the Kurdish freedom fighter who has become a fan favorite. Rashidi delivers exemplary stunts and a fierce, survivalist intensity, particularly when Lale finds herself in yet another precarious situation that requires a viciously regulated escape. The chemistry within the ensemble is electric, making the inevitable betrayals sting all the more because you can feel the history and the strained loyalties between these characters.

Direction and Production Value: Sleek Brutality and Visual Invention

Visually, Gangs of London remains one of the most impressive shows on television. The cinematography captures a version of London that is both recognizable and hauntingly cinematic, utilizing a sleek, moody palette that heightens the sense of danger. The consistency of direction across the episodes is top-notch, with the action sequences maintaining a level of quality that sets a new standard for the medium. The production design and world-building are executed with precision, but it is the action choreography where the show truly excels. Season 3 delivers some of the most bone-crunching, diverse melee combat ever committed to the small screen.

The invention on display in the fight sequences is staggering. From tooth-shattering brawls to a modern fight involving an old-timey battleaxe, the show refuses to repeat itself. One particular sequence involving an umbilical cord is so audacious and visceral that it provides a "see it to believe it" moment that will be discussed for years. These moments are never just for shock value; they reflect the desperate, life-or-death nature of the world these characters inhabit. The show also excels in its use of improvised weaponry and tactical ingenuity, such as a standout sequence in an office block that feels like a modern, transgressive homage to Die Hard. The crowded streets and cramped alleyways of London are wonderfully realized, making the city itself feel like a hostile character.

Trailer Gangs of London - Season 3 (2026) TV Series

Soundscape and Atmosphere: A Nerve-Shredding Sonic Experience

The sound design of Gangs of London is a character in itself, building a specific mood of claustrophobia and impending violence. The opening credits and theme music set a tone of somber, epic tragedy that persists throughout the score. The soundscape is nerve-shredding, particularly during the show’s many manhunts. The way the sound captures the frantic breathing of a character in hiding or the distant, menacing footfalls of a pursuer adds an unbearable level of tension. Episode 2 features a desperate manhunt across the city that serves as a masterclass in atmospheric building, utilizing a brief cameo from Phil Daniels as a mouthy East End retiree to ground the scene in a sense of local reality.

The use of sound to build the show’s world is subtle but incredibly effective. In the flashback spotlight on Lale in episode 5, the silence of a deserted office block is punctuated by the small, festive sounds of desktop Christmas decorations, creating a jarring contrast with the heavily armed henchmen pursuing her. This attention to sonic detail ensures that the audience is always on edge, feeling the weight of the atmosphere just as much as the impact of the blows. The sound design builds the show's specific mood, turning the city's seedy underbelly into a place where danger is always audible before it is visible.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Unparalleled Action Diversity: The season offers everything from tooth-shattering melee to infinite bullets flying, including a fight with an old-timey battleaxe.
• Sope Dirisu's Series-Best Performance: Elliot Carter is grounded and heartfelt, navigating the psychic wounds of his past with a performance that anchors the show.
• Stellar Additions to the Cast: Andrew Koji and T’Nia Miller bring fresh energy and higher stakes to the existing world, lighting up every scene they are in.
• Nerve-Shredding Manhunts: Episode 2 provides a masterclass in tension, ratcheting up the stakes to near-unbearable levels across the city.
• Visual Invention in Action: The use of improvised weaponry, like the standout scene in episode 5, sets a new high-water mark for the crime drama genre.
• Muddled Details in Quick Twists: At times, the narrative turns move so quickly that specific character motivations and plot details can get a bit lost in the shuffle.
• Late Development of New Ideas: Some of the most interesting new narrative directions are introduced rather late in the season, leaving less time for them to be fully explored.
• Lessened Screen Time for Originals: While Joe Cole is fantastic, fans of the original Wallace family dynamic might miss the more prominent roles they played in earlier seasons.

Final Verdict: A Commanding Evolution of the Crime Genre

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Gangs of London Season 3 is a visceral, emotionally resonant journey that more than justifies the time investment. It is a show that understands the importance of consequence, ensuring that every bone broken and every betrayal committed carries weight. While it may not win over those who have found its glamorization of extreme violence distasteful in the past, it remains a must-watch for anyone who values top-tier production and character-driven action. It is a season that is packed full of surprises, both in its narrative progression and in its jaw-dropping use of action.

If you are a fan of high-stakes crime dramas and have been following the Wallace-Carter saga from the beginning, this season is a rewarding and thrilling next chapter. It is best enjoyed by those who appreciate the technical craft of action filmmaking and the slow-burn evolution of complex characters. However, if you are new to the series, you might find the complex web of motivations a bit hard to follow without a refresher of the first two seasons. Ultimately, Season 3 dramatically alters the character of Gangs of London, setting a strong and exciting course for the future of this criminal underworld.

Watch or Pass: WATCH