Gangs of London director responds to 'spoiler' death
The following article contains discussion of themes including suicide.
Gangs of London season 2 spoilers follow.
Gangs of London executive producer and director Corin Hardy has shared some behind-the-scenes details about the show's latest shocking death.
In this week's episode, I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu's character Alex took his life rather than directly going against the mysterious investors who are gaining power against his family.
Related: Why that Gangs of London brawl is more important than you think
This follows Alex himself having to eliminate his one-time trusted ally Sean Wallace (Peaky Blinders' Joe Cole) in a Game of Thrones-style turning of the tables on Alex.
Speaking about these back-to-back twists, Corin Hardy told Digital Spy: "It’s always very sad when this happens. But Gangs of London is an unsafe show. It should be feeling dangerous at all times. And that was the sort of ethos, in a way, in season 1 – you mustn’t feel safe. Characters could go at any moment.
"I think it’s something that worked in some other shows – Game of Thrones did it very well. Also, it was supported by the networks, where they were saying, 'We’re looking at the scripts. We want you to kill more characters.' I was like, 'Wow, really?'
"What happens to Alex is directly representative of his soft trajectory from where we leave him, at the end of season 1. He’s got a lot of pressure mounting up. He has to go and kill Sean Wallace. He goes on the run. Actually, a year has passed. He’s been promoted. He’s at the head of the Dumani finances, almost like a figurehead."
But Gangs of London is almost Shakespearean in its storytelling, so any great rise comes before an ever bigger fall.
"What [Alex is] really doing is trying to figure out a way to get out of this, and protect his family. He’s a smart guy. He’s got means. But he’s also struggling out of pressure with the guilt of having seen his brother – his friend – killed in front of him, Sean Wallace," Hardy said.
"So he’s using drugs, and it all mounts up. Meanwhile, this guy is sent, also, to see that he comes to his end. It’s one of those Gangs of London predicaments. It’s tragic, and also hopefully keeps you on your seat. Because after that, what else could happen?"
Gangs of London is now streaming on Sky and NOW.
We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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