Crime dramas based on real-life figures often leave viewers wondering what’s fact and what’s fiction — and Last King of the Cross is no exception. With two seasons already aired and whispers of a third, we’ve sorted the confirmed details from the speculation and traced what really happened from memoir to screen.
Premiere date: 17 February 2023 ·
Number of seasons aired: 2 ·
Platform in UK: Sky Max / NOW ·
Based on true story: Yes, John Ibrahim ·
IMDb rating: 6.8/10
Quick snapshot
- Genre: Crime thriller (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Based on memoir by John Ibrahim (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Number of seasons: 2 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Creator: Rowan Woods (Teaser trailer (Paramount+ Australia))
- Cast includes Lincoln Younes, Claude Jabbour, Tim Roth (Teaser trailer (Paramount+ Australia))
- Lincoln Younes plays John Ibrahim (Teaser trailer (Paramount+ Australia))
- Paramount+ (Australia) (Paramount+ Australia (streaming))
- Sky Max (UK) (Paramount+ Australia (streaming))
- Not on Netflix (Paramount+ Australia (streaming))
- Rotten Tomatoes score 76% (TV Guide (TV listings))
- IMDb 6.8/10 (TV Guide (TV listings))
- Noted for polished production by TV Guide (TV listings)
Six key facts at a glance: the series originated from a single memoir, spans two seasons with defined episode counts, and has a clear broadcast home.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full title | Last King of the Cross |
| Language | English |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original network | Paramount+ |
| First episode date | 17 February 2023 |
| Number of seasons | 2 |
Is The Last King of the Cross based on a true story?
What is the real story of John Ibrahim?
- The series is inspired by John Ibrahim’s best-selling autobiography about his experiences in Sydney’s Kings Cross nightlife (TV Guide (TV listings)).
- Ibrahim rose from poverty to become a nightclub mogul, owning venues like The Tunnel and The Metro (Apple TV Canada (streaming catalog)).
The memoir paints a raw portrait of the Kings Cross underworld, but the TV adaptation compresses timelines and merges characters for dramatic effect. What remains constant: the central figure’s rise through an ecosystem of clubs, rivalries, and survival instincts.
Who is the real Roland Doe?
- Roland Doe is a name used in a different historical exorcism case — the 1949 possession that inspired The Exorcist. It has no direct connection to John Ibrahim or the series (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
The implication: the series stays anchored in real events, even as it reshapes minor details for dramatic pacing.
How many seasons does The Last King of the Cross have?
How many episodes in season 1?
- Season 1 consists of 10 episodes, released from 17 February 2023 to 14 April 2023 on Paramount+ (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
How many episodes in season 2?
- Season 2 premiered on 30 August 2024 with 8 episodes, ending on 10 October 2024 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
Two seasons, 18 episodes total. The show’s producers, Helium Pictures, have not yet committed to a third season in official press statements (Now To Love (Australian lifestyle magazine)).
Is there a season 3 of Last King of the Cross?
Has season 3 been confirmed?
- Season 3 was announced in development on 7 November 2025 at the Paramount Upfronts (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
- No official release date has been set as of late 2025 (Now To Love (Australian lifestyle magazine)).
Has the show been cancelled?
- Paramount has not cancelled the series; development is active but unconfirmed for a 2026 premiere (Now To Love (Australian lifestyle magazine)).
- Actor Lincoln Younes said “we’ll have to wait and see” when asked about Season 3 (Now To Love (Australian lifestyle magazine)).
The pattern: development announced, but no green light. For fans, the wait for a concrete Season 3 date continues. The end of Season 2 left a cliffhanger, but that’s no guarantee the story will continue on screen.
What nightclub did John Ibrahim own?
Which venues did John Ibrahim operate in Kings Cross?
- John Ibrahim owned or managed multiple nightclubs including The Tunnel, The Metro, and others in the Kings Cross precinct (TV Guide (TV listings)).
- His memoir details the strip of clubs that defined Sydney’s nightlife through the 1980s and 1990s (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
John Ibrahim’s nightclub empire was real — The Tunnel and The Metro were his main holdings. The series dramatizes the competition and chaos, but the club names and locations are grounded in documented history.
The catch: the clubs were real; the heightened rivalries are the show’s creative addition.
Where to watch Last King of the Cross
Is Last King of the Cross on Netflix?
- No. The series is not available on Netflix in any region (Reelgood (streaming guide)).
Streaming on Paramount+
- Paramount+ carries both seasons in Australia. Subscription starts at $9.99/month with a 7-day free trial (Now To Love (Australian lifestyle magazine)).
- Available in Canada on Paramount+ and Prime Video (Apple TV Canada (streaming catalog)).
Watch on Sky Max
- In the UK, the series airs on Sky Max and is also available via NOW (Now To Love (Australian lifestyle magazine)).
For Australian viewers, Paramount+ is the exclusive home. UK fans can catch it on Sky. The absence from Netflix means you’ll need a specific subscription.
Timeline signal
- 1970s–1990s: John Ibrahim’s rise in Kings Cross (TV Guide (TV listings))
- 2021: Announcement of TV adaptation (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 17 February 2023: Season 1 premiere on Paramount+ (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 2024: Season 2 airs (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 7 November 2025: Season 3 announced in development (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Two seasons have aired (18 episodes total) (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- The series is inspired by John Ibrahim’s memoir (TV Guide (TV listings))
- Paramount+ is the main streaming platform in Australia (Paramount+ Australia (streaming))
- John Ibrahim owned The Tunnel and The Metro nightclubs (TV Guide (TV listings))
What’s unclear
- Whether Season 3 will be produced (development announced but no green light)
- Exact release date for a potential third season
- Which new characters or clubs might appear in a future season
- Which actors will return for a potential Season 3
Voices from the show
John Ibrahim’s memoir is a raw, unfiltered look at what it took to survive Kings Cross. The series captures that energy but takes dramatic license for television.
John Ibrahim, author of Last King of the Cross (via TV Guide (TV listings))
Lincoln Younes, who plays Ibrahim, said of a potential Season 3: “We’ll have to wait and see. There’s definitely more story to tell.”
Now To Love (Australian lifestyle magazine)
The waiting game for Season 3
Paramount’s upfront announcement puts Season 3 on the radar, but a confirmed date remains elusive. For fans of the series, the choice is clear: watch the two available seasons on Paramount+ or Sky, and keep an eye on official announcements from Helium Pictures. Without a green light, fans like Lincoln Younes have expressed interest, but the third season remains uncertain.
Frequently asked questions
Who plays John Ibrahim in Last King of the Cross?
Lincoln Younes portrays John Ibrahim (TV Guide (TV listings)).
Is Last King of the Cross suitable for teenagers?
The series carries an MA15+ rating in Australia for violence, drug use, and strong language. Parental discretion is advised.
What is the age rating for Last King of the Cross?
It is rated MA15+ in Australia and 15 in the UK (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
Will there be a Last King of the Cross movie?
No film adaptation has been announced. The story continues as a TV series.
Is Last King of the Cross related to the exorcism of Roland Doe?
No. Roland Doe’s case is unrelated — the series focuses on John Ibrahim’s nightclub empire (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
Where was Last King of the Cross filmed?
Principal filming took place in Sydney, Australia, primarily in the Kings Cross area.
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Sophie Marlowe is Culture & Lifestyle Editor at BritainNow.uk, covering arts, culture, lifestyle and society.