Director Guy Ritchie opted for a hotel stay while his sprawling country estate, Ashcombe, was transformed into a filming location for the second series of his Netflix crime drama, The Gentlemen. The filmmaker, 57, entrusted his 1,134-acre Wiltshire property to the cast and crew for a lavish hunting party scene, a decision he humorously admitted was motivated by a desire to avoid potential mayhem.
Ritchie’s Strategic Retreat
Speaking at the show’s world premiere in London, Ritchie revealed his proactive approach to managing the production’s impact on his home. “I don’t know what they got up to. I think it’s best I don’t know,” he stated. “I went and stayed in someone else’s gaff. I was staying in the local hotel.” This candid admission suggests a calculated move to maintain peace and perhaps preserve his estate from the unpredictable nature of a film set.
Cast Revelations of On-Set Antics
Leading man Theo James, who reprises his role as Eddie Horniman, corroborated Ritchie’s sentiment, hinting that the director’s absence was perhaps well-advised. James, 41, described the production’s energy, particularly when filming shifted to Italy. “In Italy, 200 Brits just going f***ing bonkers,” he recounted, painting a picture of unbridled revelry.
Actress Kaya Scodelario, 34, who portrays the formidable Susie Glass, further elaborated on the cast’s escapades, suggesting that some members of the production experienced swift consequences for their actions. “Some of them got kicked out of the country a week in!” she joked, adding a layer of playful chaos to the behind-the-scenes narrative. These anecdotes were shared during a Q&A session held at Guildhall, preceding a screening of the opening episode.
Ashcombe Estate: A Director’s Playground
Guy Ritchie’s Ashcombe Estate, located near Salisbury, is more than just a filming location; it’s a meticulously crafted country retreat. The director has spent over two decades cultivating the 1,134-acre property into an elaborate playground. It boasts extensive facilities for country pursuits, including pheasant and partridge shooting, clay-pigeon ranges, and fishing lakes. Luxury accommodation and a microbrewery producing his own Gritchie beer further enhance its exclusivity.
The estate’s history is as rich as its current offerings. Ashcombe House, a Georgian manor, was once the home of renowned society photographer Cecil Beaton. Ritchie and his former wife, Madonna, reportedly purchased the property for approximately £9 million in 2001. While Madonna once described it as “the most beautiful place in the world,” Ritchie retained ownership following their divorce in 2008. He now shares his time between Ashcombe and London with his current wife, model Jacqui Ainsley, and their children. The estate remains a working farm and family residence, but it has also evolved into a premier sporting destination, attracting celebrity friends like David Beckham and Robert Downey Jr. for shooting parties.
‘The Gentlemen’ Season Two: Expanding Horizons
The second series of The Gentlemen promises to extend the narrative beyond the confines of the fictional Halstead Manor. The plot will see the Glass family’s criminal enterprise branch out, with significant action unfolding on the picturesque shores of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. This international shift also brings a sartorial upgrade for Susie Glass, with Scodelario noting her character will be dressed “head to toe in Dolce & Gabbana” during the Italian segments.
Premiere Night Glamour and Aftermath
The world premiere event in London was a star-studded affair, attended by a notable cast including Ray Winstone, Vinnie Jones, Joely Richardson, Hugh Bonneville, Giancarlo Esposito, Michele Morrone, Maya Jama, and Chris Eubank Jr. Guy Ritchie was accompanied by his wife, Jacqui Ainsley, 44, and his son Rocco, 26, from his previous marriage to Madonna. Following the screening, the festivities continued into the early hours in the medieval Crypts beneath Guildhall, a fittingly atmospheric setting for the cast and crew to celebrate their latest venture.
All eight episodes of The Gentlemen series two are now available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a continuation of the stylish crime drama set against diverse and dramatic backdrops.
