• by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, August 22, 2023

NBCU’s Peacock is seeking to capitalize on the “John Wick” phenomenon with a prequel series from the “John Wick” universe.

It is a miniseries premiering on Peacock in three parts September 22, September 29 and October 6. The character of John Wick is not involved.

This is because the prequel takes place in the 1970s, when the relentless killing machine played by Keanu Reeves in the four “John Wick” movies is either a tot or not yet born.

The scene is New York, where much of the John Wick movies play out. In all the movies, a luxury hotel is featured whose rooms and amenities are available only to members of the underworld, especially the world’s most talented contract killers such as John Wick.

The hotel is the focus of the prequel series, which gets its title from the hotel’s name -- “The Continental: From The World Of John Wick.”

The hotel’s manager is the enigmatic Winston Scott, played in the movies by Ian McShane. “The Continental” is the origin story of the young Winston and how he came to manage The Continental.

In so doing, he attained a high, powerful position in the unseen hierarchy that “manages” the world’s professional killers.

In the TV show, the role of young Winston is taken up by Colin Woodell (pictured above).

The four “John Wick” movies (number four was release earlier this year) are said to have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide since the first one came out in 2014. Known for their extreme violence, they are shown frequently on TV.

The Continental is always one of the best features of all the films. The other notable character staffing the hotel was the manager of the front desk, Charon, played by the great Lance Reddick.

He died suddenly at age 60 on March 17, seven days before the release of “John Wick: Chapter 4” on March 24. 

The exterior of The Continental seen in the “John Wick” movies is a 1904 building in Manhattan’s downtown financial district that was converted into apartments in 2006.

The hotel’s name suggests that it is a destination for a high-rolling guests from around the world -- in its case, international contract killers. Under Winston’s watchful eye, criminal behavior is strictly prohibited in the hotel.

In many ways, the name “Continental” has a storied history -- from Continental Airlines (absorbed by United Airlines in the 2010s) to The Continental Op (the detective character created by Dashiell Hammett in the 1920s).

As far as I can remember, however, none of the “John Wick” movies make any mention of a continental breakfast at The Continental.