The Continental: From the World of John Wick

A young Winston Scott returns to a New York that feels darker and fouler than he remembered, drawn back into the criminal maze surrounding the Continental hotel in the 1970s. He tries to claim control over a place renowned as a neutral ground for killers, but every move pulls him deeper into alliances, betrayals, and old debts. The show follows Winston as he maneuvers through rival factions, uses cunning and violence when needed, and reshapes the hotel's power structure while the city around him roils with crime and ambition. The tone is tense and often brutal, focused on how Winston’s choices push him toward the role he will someday occupy.

Created by Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward, and Shawn Simmons, The Continental premiered in 2023 as a TV prequel to the John Wick films. The series features Colin Woodell as Winston Scott, with Mel Gibson, Mishel Prada, Ben Robson, and Hubert Point-Du Jour among the principal cast.

Critics and viewers gave the show a generally favorable response, reflected in a 7.354/10 average from 628 votes. Reviews tended to praise the period atmosphere, fight choreography, and lead performances while noting some pacing and tone shifts. Major themes include power, loyalty, identity, and how violence becomes institutionalized within closed systems.

The series broadened the John Wick universe by filling in the Continental’s backstory, and it sparked lively fan discussion about lore and continuity. Mel Gibson’s presence and the 1970s setting drew extra attention, and action sequences got shared widely online, boosting interest in tie-in material and franchise expansions.

While the show attracted strong fan interest and critical attention, it did not dominate awards season or rack up major industry trophies at launch. Its impact has been more about expanding franchise mythology and giving viewers a darker, character-focused corner of the John Wick world.