*Warning: This article contains spoilers for Gangs of London season 2 episode 1.*
Considering season one kicked off with Sean Wallace (Joe Cole) dangling a burning man off a skyscraper, it’s no surprise season 2 features an equally jaw-dropping moment.
We join the blood-thirsty criminals operating in the capital’s underbelly following the complete disintegration of the Wallace empire, with new mob bosses The Investors in charge.
But it appears the murder and all the bloodshed gets too much for Alex Dumani’s (Paapa Essiedu) conscience as, rather than continue to fight for power against rival gangs, he jumps off an office block building.
Pippa Bennett-Warner, who plays Alex’s sister Shannon Dumani in the Sky Atlantic drama, spoke to Metro.co.uk about the shocking scene.
She told us: ‘It was tricky because I adore Paapa. He is a really, really dear friend of mine and not getting to work with him for nine months was heartbreaking.
‘But it’s also heartbreaking for Shannon because that’s her baby brother who she adores, and the whole dynamic of the family switches in that exact moment.
Pippa continued: ‘I think that scene between Paapa and Sope [Dirisu] is played so beautifully. I remember we were we all had a screening and I actually felt really moved by it because I thought the work was so brilliant. And also just the fact that Alex was gone was really heartbreaking.
‘But it is what it is and the family have to [buckle up] and just have to keep it moving and do things in his honor.’
While Shannon, who begins a relationship with undercover cop Elliot Finch (Sope Disiru), largely stays out of the way of violence in season one, she gets her hands very dirty in the final episode.
After Elliot’s police handler Vicky (Jing Lusi) pays her visit, and tries to convince her to join the force, she responds by pulling out a rifle and shooting her to death.
In the opening of season 2, viewers learn that Shannon has been sent to prison for her crime but gets let out, shunning her father Ed Dumani (Lucian Msamati), who did not cover up her murder, as she returns home to her son.
But what does that mean for the Dumani family?
Pippa responds coyly: ‘I can’t say as it’s such a spoiler alert but what I will say is that what happens to the Dumanis is very exciting and unexpected.’
Gangs of London season 2 is available on Sky Atlantic and Now.
