As Gangs of London heads into series three, there’s a new man in charge – and we’re not talking about the criminal underworld.

Korean director Kim Hong-Sun, known for directing brutal tales including Money Heist: Korea, The Age of Blood and The Guest, makes his English-speaking debut with the latest series, and is bringing his love of action and horror with him.

Declaring the series a “blood opera”, the filmmaker brought his unique flair to the Gangs world, mixing the brutality of this way of life with tragedy and rage.

Speaking ahead of the series launch, Kim Hong-Sun talks about bringing his own artistic flair to Gangs of London, how he brought the show to life in his first English-language story, and how his previous work influenced the new episodes.

I felt really honoured. Stepping into a show with a story that’s already so well-established, while respecting the strong foundation from previous seasons, is always a bit of a challenge. I wanted to take it even further, add my own creative thoughts. I’ve been a massive fan of the series, so the chance to make this season even more intense and immersive was something I was really excited about.

Gangs three is built around two main stories. Elliot has become the leader of the London gangs, but things go wrong when dangerous fentanyl turns up in the drugs they've been shifting. This leads to loads of deaths across the city, including someone in the family of a key gang member. The big question of who tampered with the cocaine stirs up conflict. There’s betrayal between the gangs with plenty of secrets in the mix. At the same time, we start to learn why Elliot went undercover in the London gangs.

When I first saw the action scenes, I was really excited. I believe action is the most powerful way to express a character's emotions. For season three, I felt like we needed a fresher approach, upgrading existing action scenes and bringing in new ones that haven't been in the previous series. But the audience will definitely know they’re watching Gangs of London.

Brilliant. We joined the project at different times, a little bit different, so maybe we didn’t have much time to talk in detail, but we discussed the tone and style a lot. We made sure each episode felt connected and both have done an amazing job bringing their own style to the show. The creative exchange between us really comes through in the final result.

Visually, season three takes a few bold steps, but it still keeps that gritty and intense vibe from the previous series. One of the main differences is we’ve brought in more vibrant colours to reflect the character's personality and emotion in the scenes. We wanted to inject a bit more energy and contrast into the look. That said, we haven't lost any of the show's signature elements. The raw, realistic action and that tense, atmospheric style are still very much there. It was really important for us to keep the continuity. But also allow the look and feel of the series to evolve.

It was absolutely brilliant. Everyone was fantastic. Honestly, I was so happy. Sope is a really dedicated, hardworking actor, incredibly sharp with a magnetic charm about him, like a light that just draws people in. Joe Cole is an outstanding actor. His strong charisma and natural acting style are particularly captivating. Michelle I'm personally a huge fan of. As everyone knows, she's a true G.O.A.T, greatest of all the time. It was an honour to work alongside her.

Lucian's performance is not only outstanding but reveals him to be a true humanitarian. He has an innate ability to connect with people on a deeper level both on and off screen. Orli’s got a strong masculinity but his energy on screen really draws people in and makes him a compelling presence. Narges is an incredibly immersive actress and captures everyone's attention with her charm and intensity, making her truly unforgettable.

You shouldn't just think of Brian as Billy from season one and two. This time he's even more captivating and delivers an incredible performance. Asif is truly a solid and reliable actor, always convincing and consistently stands out for his ability to express subtle emotion in every scene. Pippa has incredible charm; the kind of person who lifts the spirits of everyone on set. Fady, Eri, Jahz and Murat are all great, talented actors, each bringing their own unique charm to the table. Each of them adds something special.

They were absolutely fantastic as well. Each one brought their new characters to life with so much energy and soul, creating fully developed, engaging performances. T’Nia is a highly captivating actor who never misses even the smallest details, adding depth and complexity to her characters. I've been a fan of Richard for a long time. His ability to create fresh tension with every performance is remarkable, and he has a real gift for making his characters feel richer and more alive.

Andrew stands out with his impressive action and wide range of talents. He’s an actor with many layers, capable of bringing different shades to his roles. In particular, his portrayal of Zeek added a sense of mystery and allure to the character, giving it much more depth. Sebastian was a hidden gem. His chemistry with T’Nia was particularly impressive, and together they created some truly memorable scenes.

Niko is like a treasure found in an antique shop, a remarkable Albanian actor. His intense colours and dedication to his craft make him stand out, leaving a lasting impression on audiences, and Korean actors Shin Seung-hwan and Im Ju-hwan made special guest appearances, and both are excellent actors. Their performances brought an extra layer of depth, enhancing the overall impact of the work.

As a fan, I would say Gangs really stands out with its unique style and great characters. It includes amazing actors I really like, intense action and gripping storylines. What makes it even more interesting is how it has a real international vibe, much like the city of London. It doesn't feel like it's just a local show, it’s got this global feel that's all tied together really well. Everything connects smoothly and that broader international element makes it even more exciting to watch.

Working with the team felt like a great journey. Every single HOD and crew member did an amazing job, and I honestly think they were the best team I’ve worked with. If I had to mention a few, executive producer Hugh and series exec Mike are really amazing. They're really, really good, really understood me, and put in a lot of effort to support the show. My assistant and interpreter, Emma, was also absolutely essential for me. And the script from Peter, lead writer and the rest of the team were great. Everybody working together, I really cannot forget. They’re amazing.

I started by reading and analysing the script. For this scene, I had to think about how to shape Cornelius’ character as he’s new to the story. Then I create the storyboard, where I really brainstorm and lock down the direction. It guides all the teams as we move forward.

We then figure out the right location, colour palette and how the costume and the set design fit together. We also plan for lighting, equipment and prepare for things like bad weather, with a backup plan in place. Next, we look at how to translate the script’s action sequence into cinematic language. While scouting location. Everything has to be taken into account, the budget, space and how long it’ll take to shoot. We also break down what's going to be practical effects versus VFX, making sure everything's safe, especially for action sequences.

My background in action horror has definitely influenced Gangs three, but this time I’ve really focused on making the action feel more grounded and alive. I’ve put a lot of emphasis on the emotional journey and relationships of the characters, while still delivering those intense, visceral moments, and fast-paced action sequences.

At the same time, I’ve worked hard to balance the gritty realism of the action with the emotional depths of the characters, which really helps to ramp up the tension. And, of course, there are still brutal scenes that fans expect.

Every episode left a strong impression, but a few moments really stand out. In season one, Elliot's bathroom fight scene was incredible, and the heartbreaking story of travellers Kinney and his son, Darren, was unforgettable. It's very sad for me. In season two, the moment when Sean hands Lale back to Asif after she narrowly escaped him was completely shocking. That scene really stuck with me.

Each episode has its own stand out scenes and sequence, and they’re all amazing. But if I had to pick one that I know the core fans will absolutely love, it's a moment from episode seven. So, it's one of those scenes that just screams, ‘this is Gangs of London at its finest.’ I really think it's something special and you are in for a real treat.

I can't give too much away to avoid the spoilers, but trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Relentless, Cinematic, Gripping.