‘The Outlaws’ Season 1 Recap: What to Know Before Season 2

The Outlaws, Prime Video‘s criminally underrated comedic thriller, is back for a second season. But before we reacquaint ourselves with the world of Bristol crime and Community Payback we need to recap all the chaos that unfolded in Season 1.

Created by Stephen Merchant and Elgin James, The Outlaws first premiered in 2021 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, later dropping on Prime Video in April 2022. The series focuses on seven law-breaking strangers who form an unexpected connection when they’re forced to complete their community service sentences together. They’re tasked with restoring an abandoned community center in Bristol, but after a series of poor choices they find themselves scrambling to pay back a dangerous debt.

The group, led by supervisor Diane (Jessica Gunning), is comprised of brainiac Rani (Rhianne Barreto), bad boy Christian (Gamba Cole), awkward attorney Greg (Merchant), “shifty old-timer” Frank (Christopher Walken), wealthy Instagram influencer Lady Gabby (Eleanor Tomlinson), civil rights activist Myrna (Clare Perkins), and conservative businessman John (Darren Boyd). After a wild Season 1 ride, the Community Payback crew luckily emerged from their pickle relatively unscathed. Here’s where we left everyone after the finale, plus predictions for Season 2, which streams all six episodes on August 5.

Are Ben (the Christian Taylor Imposter) and Esme in the Clear?

Surprise! Community Payback Christian wasn’t who we thought he was. Turns out the guy who spent all those hours giving back to society with Rani and friends is named BEN. He was doing the real Christian Taylor’s (Charles Babalola) service hours because Christian was too busy hustling — and just plain didn’t want to! Ben put himself at Christian’s mercy in exchange for his sister Esme’s (Aiyana Goodfellow) safety, but he made a serious error in judgement after Christian handed him a gun and asked him to break into a house to steal a mobile phone — the line of a British drug lord named The Dean.

Ben successfully snagged the phone, but he also stole a massive bag of cash and hid in the ceiling of the community center. When Christian came to collect, Ben went to retrieve the bag and realized it was missing. Frank, John, and Myrna found and split the cash, so Ben was unable to get it back. As tensions rose, real Christian got closer to Ben’s sister, and she ended up shooting a drug dealer named Spider. She wanted to turn herself in but Ben didn’t want her to give up her future, so he tried to take the blame. The two hid out in an abandoned warehouse, and when the Community Payback crew found them they all stood up to Christian until he backed down. Season 1 ended with Ben getting arrested, the crew getting interrogated, and Ben getting released. The punishment for the unprovable crimes? 100 more hours of community service. While things look okay for Ben and Esme at the end of Season 1, who knows what trouble they’ll get into come Season 2.

What Does Rani’s Future Hold?

Rani, queen of disobeying her parents and getting turned on by crime, had quite the rebellious season. She’s come a long was from shoplifting, and it seems like she’s only getting started. Rani notoriously put her family in danger when she decided to steal her dad’s truck and use it to aid Ben at a crime scene. She repeatedly disappointed her parents in Season 1, and left her dad no choice but to lie to detectives to protect her. Rani and Ben shared a romantic moment on a boat, so they may develop their spark next season. But the only way they’ll be able to explore a romantic future is if Rani’s parents don’t murder her for throwing away her future and sneaking out of the house to search for a wanted criminal.

Will John Get His Job Back?

John had a particularly rough Season 1, but he also had some major soul searching and self-improvement to do. When we first met John, he was working at the family business under his dad and trying to close a huge deal. He succeeded, only for everything to fall apart after his clients saw an Instagram video of him fighting Ben during community service. John lies to everyone — including and especially his family — and says the deal went through. His image tanks again after he beats up a home intruder and gets sued for loss of earnings and racially aggravated assault of a minor. So with things looking down, John decides to use his cut of the money Frank found to help his dad’s business. Unfortunately, his dad finds out and fires him. Will Season 2 see John and his dad make amends? Will this man be okay? He’s not the greatest dude, but we’re rooting for him to be better.

Will Frank Stay in Town?

Ah, Frank — arguably The Outlaws’ best character. He was planning to split with his share of the cash after he wrapped his community service and got his ankle monitor off, but after his grandson stole his cut and called out his escape plan he thought long and hard about the next chapter of his life. In the finale, Frank’s daughter invited him to live with them permanently after his ankle monitor comes off, he said he’d like that, but clearly his grandson was still skeptical. Which way will the wind blow this smooth old-timer next? Stay tuned!

Is Greg About to Get Blackmailed?

Poor, sweet, awkward, well-meaning Greg. This man puts up with hell, is always sticking his neck out for people, and is a great friend to Gabby. What does he get in return? Screwed over by his colleague Spencer (Tom Hanson). We’re not saying Greg’s perfect — he did use his legal relationship with Gabby to try to launder the crew’s stolen money through her charity. Not great! But the season ends with Spencer stealing all the files in his damning “cupboard of chaos” and threatening his job. Will Greg get blackmailed in Season 2? It’s not looking great for our tall guy.

How’s Gabby Holding Up?

No one on this show is thriving, but we’re especially worried for Gabby, who spent the majority of the season struggling to stay sober and out of jail. After Greg told Lady Gabby that her father hated her big festival pitch and thinks she’s a joke, she tore up his precious lawn with car and risked getting financially cut off. How will she handle the newfound betrayal and money struggles in Season 2? Hopefully with a lot of help from her Community Payback pals.

What Will Myrna’s Guilt Mean For Her Organization?

Myrna spent Season 1 fighting to hold onto her role in the Bristol Justice Collective, the social justice organization she founded in 1980. After getting voted out of the group she struggled to find new purpose in the world, but after Frank found the bag of cash she donated her share to the group and was welcomed back. In the Season 1 finale, Myrna told the Community Payback crew she’s responsible for the death of a 28-year-old police constable named Colin Denison, who was killed in a protest fire she set to a police station back in the day. It’s clear she still carries that guilt with her, so Season 2 will likely see her unpacking it further and working to figure out her goals as an activist.

What’s Up With Real Christian Taylor and The Dean?

Now that we know the real Christian Taylor dodged his community service hours and has ties to The Dean, more challenges likely lie ahead for him. As for The Dean, will we get more info on the mysterious player in Season 2? Our faves are in the clear for now, but we have a feeling The Dean won’t be too happy about his missing money and lost business.