The Outlaws got better in season 2, an unusual feat. Season 1 laid the groundwork, introduced the characters, and set the scene. That left room for plenty of character development and depth in the second season. The threat level was ramped up for the outlaws as they dealt with dangerous drug dealers.

The same cast of petty criminals doing community service returned, with the same comic relief from their community police trainee leader. A new character this season was the head drug dealer, The Dean (Claes Bang).

The two Bristol cops who were trying to catch the drug dealers, Sgt. Haines (Grace Calder) and DS Selforth (Kojo Kamara) remained on the case.

Here are the main characters. Click to embiggen.

Remember the duffle bag of cash they found at the end of season 1? Well, they took it, split it up, and spent a lot of it.

Naturally, The Dean wanted his drug money back. He convinced the group of small time crooks to return it to him by threatening their families. They took over the line and started selling drugs. They were good at it, but wanted out. Just when they thought they were done with the life as drug dealers, they were snared again.

It created danger for everyone. It let characters grow stronger and more self aware. Some characters became aware of the importance of family. Some became addicted to the rush of the score, the crime, the escape. Some realized they’d been living their lives all wrong and made changes. They outsmarted and grifted everyone from crooks to cops so they could come out where they wanted to be (which was not in jail).

The Outlaws was created and written by Elgin James and Stephen Merchant. They wrote an excellent, coherent plot, gave the characters intelligent lines and jokes, and added on the buffoon played by Jessica Gunning to make sure you smiled often. Everyone in the cast, even people I haven’t mentioned, did an excellent job. I thought the whole series was top notch.

Alicia MacDonald directed 4 of the 6 episodes. You can see all of season 2 now on Prime Video.