The chaotic and eccentric character of Freddy in the Netflix series ‘The Gentlemen’ has charmed audiences with his unpredictable antics and questionable decisions. Actor Daniel Ings brings life to this complex character, providing insights into his motivations and aspirations.
Ings reveals that Freddy is driven by an addiction to power, mirroring the behavior of a gambling addict who doubles down when faced with setbacks. He explains, “He’s an addict. For Freddy, that is all about his ego. He’s a gambling addict. When a gambler starts losing at the tables, they don’t get up and walk away, they double down because now they’ve gotta win it back.”
While Freddy’s initial portrayal suggests a reckless and entitled individual, Ings reveals there’s more to him. He hints at unexplored depths and a potential for growth and redemption, saying, “The trick is to peel away the layers. You can start in a place which is full-on and full throttle, and the audience can form a relationship with a character like that, where they expect chaos or they expect fun… The trick becomes subverting that and surprising audiences.”

A Still From The Gentlemen Season 1. (Via IMDB)
While there’s no official confirmation of a second season, Ings expresses his openness to exploring new avenues with Freddy. He suggests scenarios where Freddy experiences success or faces different challenges, questioning which would be “even more terrifying” than his current portrayal.
Ings acknowledges the challenge of playing a character like Freddy, knowing that viewers might have contradictory emotions towards him. He finds humor in the absurdity of the character while respecting the need to maintain balance and provide entertainment. He says, “There’s a level of groundedness there, but that allows for it to be fun.”
