The Gentlemen Is Giancarlo Esposito’s True Breaking Bad Replacement

by

Giancarlo Esposito has become increasingly successful over the last ten years. While he’s famous for his iconic role as Gus Fring, he might have found a new part that’s just as impactful. Though he’s been acting since the 1970s, Esposito is most recognized for playing the main villain in Breaking Bad.

As a huge TV fan, I always hear this crime drama talked about as one of the greatest, and honestly, I think a big part of that is the villain. Gus Fring, played by Esposito, was just incredible. He was in so many of the show’s most powerful moments, and his sheer presence really drove the plot and made Walter White’s journey as a character so compelling. He’s a huge reason why the show is so iconic.

Giancarlo Esposito returned to his role in Better Call Saul, but he’s also been in many other popular movies and TV shows, including big franchises like Marvel, DC, and Star Wars. While all those roles are great, his new series with Guy Ritchie on Netflix feels like a natural follow-up to Breaking Bad and is definitely worth watching.

Giancarlo Esposito Provides One Of His Most Underrated Performances In 2024’s The Gentlemen

Following the popularity of his 2020 film, Guy Ritchie developed a TV series based on The Gentlemen, introducing a fresh cast of characters. A standout in the series is Stanley Johnston, played by Giancarlo Esposito – a rich American who’s set his sights on buying Eddie’s marijuana business as part of a larger plan to build his drug operation.

He handles things much more calmly and formally than Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, but the two are surprisingly alike. Both men appear harmless to the public, even though they’re major drug lords, and they’re both incredibly clever, often manipulating the main characters in their shows.

Though the Netflix show is full of action, the villain in The Gentlemen, played by Esposito, isn’t as brutal as Gus Fring. Still, Stanley’s cool and collected personality makes him a memorable character in the series, which currently has a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. He always seems to be planning something, even though the first season ended with him in jail.

Although The Gentlemen and Breaking Bad have different moods, their stories and Giancarlo Esposito’s characters share similarities. Esposito is a highlight in both series, and if The Gentlemen maintains its current quality, it could become the kind of compelling show he’s been hoping for.

Giancarlo Esposito Should Be Even More Prominent In The Gentlemen Season 2

After his compelling performance in the first season, Giancarlo Esposito’s character is expected to have a larger role in season 2 of The Gentleman. Even though Stanley Johnston was arrested, he ended up in a jail run by Bobby Glass, and the two shared a meal together. This hints that the two powerful criminals may be working together.

It’s unclear how this impacts Eddie and Susie, but that recent scene proves Stanley Johnston will continue to be a major player in season 2 of The Gentlemen. Having Stanley around will definitely be good for the show, and I’m excited to see how his relationship with Bobby develops.

It’s unknown how many seasons The Gentlemen will have, but even if it doesn’t last as long as Breaking Bad, the show will give Theo Rossi a compelling role as a drug lord for at least another year. Hopefully, The Gentlemen continues for many years, allowing Stanley Johnston to become one of Rossi’s most memorable characters.

Read More

2025-11-09 21:28