Mr. Know-It-All here to spill the tea, or should I say the bourbon, on Peacock’s hot new series, The Continental. Before you go clicking that play button faster than John Wick reloads, here’s seven things you should know before watching it.

Be warned, there do be spoilers ahead. If you want to go into the three-part limited series blind, turn back now.

An Alternate 1970s and a Murderers’ Row of New Faces

The show takes place in an alternate history 1970s and features an entire, literal murderers’ row of new characters. When he was asked what the series is going to be about specifically, executive producer Basil Iwanyk said this:

The four Wick films take place over a three-month span. John is either chasing or being chased. There’s been no time to take a breath, to allow the audience to dig deeper into the world and its denizens. In our show, The Continental, we finally have space to explore these characters, how they became who they are, and how the Continental became the epicenter of this world. Combine that with introducing new characters that are as compelling as any in the John Wick universe, action that’s crazy cool and inventive, Easter eggs that will excite the hardcore Wick fans, and what I love most, a vision of 70s New York that embodies the sexiness, edginess and visceral style that the franchise is known for. This show will look, sound, smell cooler than any show out there.

Smell, huh. Okay.

The Continental will span several years, and it’s designed to delve into the origins, politics and inner workings of the Continental Hotel, which serves as a safe haven for assassins. This is super exciting, because it means the show will flesh out what’s only been hinted at in the movies. We can expect deeper backstories, more intricate relationships, and a broader scope for this killer universe.

Everybody’s calling it a spin-off, and that’s the billing it comes in under. It’s bigger than that. This is an expansion pack for the lore. We’re talking about a more robust exploration of the assassin economy, the rival factions, all the different mysteries of the High Table and the things that oversee it all. So for all you lore-hungry fans out there, The Continental promises to be a treasure trove of juicy details you won’t want to miss.

Winston’s Brother Starts It All by Robbing the Hotel

The series is going deep into how Winston became the suave hotelier he is. It also introduces new characters who’ll be just as compelling as your favorite Wick-verse people. People like Winston’s brother Frankie, who’s apparently starting the show off with a bang by stealing from the Continental Hotel. Seriously, bro.

This is huge for a couple of reasons. We’re getting a deeper look into the lineage and family dynamics of Winston, who’s essentially the concierge godfather of this underworld. And hey, if you’re anything like me, you’ve been wondering how Winston became, well, Winston.

Frankie is portrayed by Ben Robson of Vikings fame, and he’s there for a lot more than sibling banter. He kick-starts the plot by nabbing a mysterious box from the Continental, which serves as the MacGuffin for the series. If you’re not up on your film lingo, a MacGuffin is a plot device that drives the action even if its actual importance is secondary. Basically, Frankie’s theft sets off a chain of events that has everyone in the hotel, and likely some powerful people beyond it, buzzing.

And let’s not forget, this theft leads to an action-packed showdown on a winding staircase, featuring a little cat and mouse with armed security guards. We also know Robson was put through rigorous training to prep for these action sequences, so expect Frankie to be a multi-layered addition to the franchise with plenty of his own badassery to showcase. He’s Winston’s brother, sure, but he’s a force to be reckoned with in his own right. If you’re curious how he fits into this underworld hierarchy, or how he impacts Winston’s future, The Continental is your ticket to those answers.

The Baton Handoff Between Hughes and Stovall

You’ve got Albert Hughes overseeing the series as the director and Larnell Stovall shaking things up as the action maestro, and the unique thing here is their baton handoff style of directing. Hughes sets up the emotional tone and the atmosphere. Stovall swoops in and choreographs the bullets and the fists flying. Then Hughes caps it all off.

Stovall comes with his own cred, too. He’s worked at 87eleven, the company founded by John Wick’s own Chad Stahelski and Bullet Train’s David Leitch. These guys are specialists in making action look like a ballet of controlled chaos.

The pressure was definitely on for Stovall, especially considering the high standard set by the John Wick films. He was fully aware that the first big action sequence they deliver could set the tone for audience expectations moving forward. Hughes and Stovall have this creative tension going on to avoid action fatigue, making sure the series doesn’t turn into a never-ending fight scene. They want action sequences that are as much about quality as they are about quantity.

So if you’ve got concerns that the action will just be empty calories without substance, you can put those fears to bed. In The Continental it’s all about balancing fast-paced action with moments that make you lean in, eyes wide, saying “did they just do that?” This is going to be a show where the action tells a story, pushes the narrative forward, and serves as its own character in this ever-expanding underworld.

Three Weeks of Stunt Boot Camp

Ben Robson had a lot on his plate. He got the CliffsNotes, if you will, of John Wick sequence training, according to Stovall. Yep, you heard it. A crash course in how to be a one-man army.

Don’t underestimate that condensed training. Three weeks was all Robson had to get ready for the hardcore sequences he was going to perform. He had to nail down gun work, maneuver in tight spaces, and master choreography, and oh boy did he sweat for it. Robson was essentially in a stunt boot camp, preparing for all the high-octane scenes you’re going to see.

The producers even let them practice at the actual shoot location, and that’s a big deal, because Robson is around 6’4”. Okay, I’m 6’7”, so trust me, he’s a big guy. You try maneuvering that frame up and down stairs while dodging bullets and hitting marks.

So if you’re sitting there thinking actors just show up and the cameras make everything look good, nah. There’s real dedication and sweat behind those sequences. Stovall even admits that every frame, every move, is meticulously planned and executed. He’s coordinating the action down to the last millisecond.

To put a cherry on top, the action choreographer requested two extra minutes of overtime to perfect a shot. Two minutes might not sound like a lot, but in the film industry that’s a lifetime. That’s commitment to getting it just right for the audience. This is action grounded in hardcore preparation and precision.

Hats Off to the Budapest Stunt Team

The unsung heroes of these action sequences are the Budapest stunt team. (You and I remember Budapest very differently.)

These are the guys who make the bad guys look so darn good. They’re local performers who gave it their all, whether they were getting shot from the front or, after a quick costume change, from the back. Talk about versatility. Taking a bullet is one thing. Making every moment of it believable is the job, and according to Stovall, these stunt performers aced their roles, adding that extra layer of authenticity to the heart-stopping sequences.

So the next time you’re marveling at the high-octane scenes, remember there’s locals making it all come together. These are the guys elevating the action from cool to “oh my God, did you just see that?” Hats off to the Budapest stunt team. They’re key players in making the series a gripping visual feast.

Feature Action on a TV Show

Look, when you’re following in the footsteps of series like Game of Thrones and Gangs of London, you’re marching into a furnace of expectations. Chad Stahelski himself is acutely aware of this reality, and he’s cannonballing into the deep end of the TV world with gusto.

According to Stahelski, he’s ready to prove to the TV world that you can have feature action on a TV show. Meeting expectations isn’t the goal here. Pulverizing them into stardust is. The man is swinging for the fences, and if he nails it, that’s more than a feather in his cap. He’s getting the whole bird.

September 22, and How Peacock Got It

You may have circled the date September 22nd, 2023 on your calendar, and if you haven’t, you’d better, because that’s when The Continental drops. That’s literally a few days from now. It’s going to drop its big, huge boom on Peacock with three lavish 90-minute episodes.

Initially Starz was the stage, but Peacock swooped in like a phoenix from the ashes and snatched it up. Here’s Kelly Campbell, president of Peacock and direct to consumer, on why:

The John Wick films have become a global phenomenon and are among the most watched titles on Peacock. We are thrilled and honored to partner with Lionsgate to extend the incredible franchise. We understand the value of global franchises, and Val Boreland and the team knew that by bringing this special event series to Peacock and putting the full power of NBCUniversal behind it, the premiere of The Continental will be the streaming event of the year.

That’s right. Dominating the streaming charts in the U.S. isn’t enough for them. Oh no, my friends, they’re going international. If you’re outside the U.S., no worries, Prime Video’s got your back. They’re aiming for a global event, the streaming event of the year.

So there you go. Now you know, and if knowing is half the battle, you’re halfway to being a know-it-all yourself.

Are you excited for The Continental? I know I am, and I’m looking forward to talking about it with you. Right after you watch the show, come on back and be a part of the Know-It-All Nation. The conversation lives in the comments on the video above.