The Untold Secrets of The Continental's Hansel & Gretel Assassins: Revealing the Dark Truth

Warning: Major spoilers for The Continental episode 1 "Brothers In Arms - Night 1" below!

Summary

The Continental introduces Hansel and Gretel, a lethal duo of assassin twins, who join the criminal underworld of the John Wick franchise. With their long dark hair, leather coats, and enigmatic presence, Hansel and Gretel are formidable fighters. Not only are they skilled in hand-to-hand combat, but Gretel also specializes in sniper tactics.

Gretel's murder of Frankie propels Winston's journey to assume control over The Continental, making him the next manager.

The John Wick spinoff, The Continental, brings new lethal assassins, including the twin assassins Hansel and Gretel, into the franchise. While the original John Wick primarily focused on Keanu Reeves' vengeful protagonist, it hinted at a larger, expansive world. The Continental played a pivotal role in the story, and subsequent sequels explored the hotel's international branches, introduced rival assassins targeting John, and delved into the intricate politics and bureaucracy of the enigmatic High Table.

The movies introduced the mesmerizing criminal underworld that exists behind Wick's numerous massacres. Now, the franchise is venturing into its first major spinoff with the prequel series, The Continental. This series serves two purposes: firstly, to gauge audience interest in the franchise after Wick's supposed demise in Chapter 4, and secondly, to delve into the captivating history of the hotel itself and how a young Winston, portrayed by Colin Woodell, became its manager. The prequel introduces fresh assassins, such as the enigmatic Hansel and Gretel, who will be pursuing Winston.

Hansel & Gretel Are Twin Assassins Working With Cormac In The Continental

In the first episode of The Continental, the narrative opens with the theft of a gold coin press from the hotel. Enforcer Frankie, portrayed by Ben Robson, is revealed to be the culprit. To apprehend Frankie, the hotel's manager, Cormac (played by Mel Gibson), brings in Frankie's estranged younger brother, Winston, as bait. Dissatisfied with his henchman's inability to eliminate their targets, Cormac decides to enlist the services of Charon, portrayed by Ayomide Adegun, to inquire about the availability of the skilled assassins, Hansel and Gretel, whose specific names he disregards.

As observed in the first episode, Hansel and Gretel appear to be either silent or reserved in their speech, only speaking when necessary. They both possess long dark hair and don leather coats. Although the initial episode does not explicitly showcase their combat abilities, trailers for The Continental reveal that both characters engage in various martial arts confrontations. Additionally, Gretel serves as the duo's sniper and delivers a heartbreaking fatal shot in the episode's closing moments.

Hansel & Gretel Killing Frankie Sets Up A Major Winston Moment

In the final scene of the first episode, Winston, Frankie, and his wife Yen (Nhung Kate) desperately flee from Cormac's men to reach a waiting helicopter on a nearby rooftop. However, their escape is hindered when Gretel begins shooting from a nearby building. In a selfless act, Frankie jumps out of the helicopter with the gold coin press to distract Gretel, sacrificing himself to buy enough time for the others to escape.

As the helicopter ascends, Winston and Yen witness Frankie's demise, fueling their determination for revenge against Cormac, Hansel, and Gretel. Seeking assistance, Winston approaches Frankie's gunrunner acquaintances and requests a vast arsenal of firearms, reminiscent of iconic movie references such as "The Matrix" and "John Wick: Chapter 3." Frankie's untimely death marks a significant turning point for Winston, disrupting his original plan to start a new life far away with his brother. Instead, his focus shifts towards dismantling Cormac's empire and ultimately taking over as the hotel's new manager.

Who Plays Hansel & Gretel In The Continental

Hansel and Gretel are key antagonists in Winston's mission to overthrow the hotel, with Yen specifically targeting Gretel. Mark Musashi, an actor and stuntman, takes on the role of Hansel and brings with him an extensive background in the action genre. Some notable credits from his resume include appearances in Scott Adkins' The Debt Collector, a voice role in the highly praised remake of Resident Evil 2, and a part in Vin Diesel's The Last Witch Hunter. Musashi's stunt credits are equally impressive, with appearances in films like Avatar and Fear the Walking Dead, as well as performing in video games such as The Last of Us.

Gretel, portrayed by Marina Mazepa, adds her unique talents to The Continental cast as a model, actor, and contortionist. While she may have fewer credits compared to Musashi, Mazepa has still taken on some exciting roles. She gained recognition on season 14 of America's Got Talent and went on to showcase her skills on programs like So You Think You Can Dance. On the big screen, Mazepa brought life to the limb-twisting villain Gabriel in Malignant and portrayed the more sympathetic monster, Lisa Trevor, in 2021's Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. The role of Gretel in The Continental allows Mazepa to showcase her acting abilities without relying on heavy prosthetics as she has done in the past.