Pierce Brosnan and Tom Hardy Unveil No-Holds-Barred MobLand Series

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In a surprising collaboration, actors Pierce Brosnan and Tom Hardy find themselves paired up in the Paramount+ series “MobLand,” which has garnered over eight million viewers worldwide and will be wrapping up soon.

In this role, Brosnan portrays Conrad Harrigan, a tough-as-nails Irish boss of an organized crime family who’s embroiled in a power struggle within a worldwide criminal network. On the other hand, Helen Mirren takes on the part of Maeve, his resolute wife. Meanwhile, Hardy is depicted as Harry Da Souza, their unwavering right-hand man.

The show takes place in modern-day London, often shrouded in gloom and fog, where criminals discuss business using coded language like “there’s a gap in the market on the brown,” and nightlife primarily consists of clubs blasting music from The Prodigy. Essentially, it’s a gritty crime drama directed by Guy Ritchie.

Pierce Brosnan expresses his deep appreciation for Guy Ritchie’s artistry and unique filmmaking style he’s developed. Over the years, Ritchie has crafted a cinematic terrain that is captivatingly entertaining,” Brosnan notes. “Moreover, the Harrigan family portrayed in this work is incredibly complex – it’s dark, twisted with undertones of incest and perilous danger.

72-year-old Brosnan, remarkably youthful, speaks softly and his voice has a melodious rhythm. On the other hand, Hardy, two decades younger, exudes an edgy restlessness and responds to questions in a torrent of words. I inquire about what drew him to the role of Harry. “The realm [of MobLand] is something I’ve previously inhabited through numerous films and characters,” he replies, “but this offers opportunities for intricacy and depth due to its lengthy format. It’s a fun and engaging space.

Both Brosnan and Hardy have a history in gangster films. Hardy played the Kray twins in Legend and Al Capone in Capone, also appearing in Guy Ritchie’s 2008 London gangster film RocknRolla. As he puts it, “I enjoy finding the unique aspects between similar roles.” On the other hand, Brosnan, who gained initial fame from the 1980s TV series Remington Steele, began his big-screen career at age 27 with the gangster classic The Long Good Friday, which starred Helen Mirren. He is proudly referred to as “1st Irishman” in the film, and although he didn’t share any scenes with his MobLand co-star, he now works alongside her again, as they collaborate once more all these years later.

Pierce Brosnan gained cinematic immortality through his portrayal of James Bond in four blockbusters from 1995 to 2002. Since then, he’s taken on a variety of roles in movies like The Thomas Crown Affair, The Ghost Writer, Mrs. Doubtfire, and two Mamma Mia! films. He confesses that every role presents a challenge and carries a dose of anxiety, as one always wonders why they are there on stage. This sense of purpose and the associated stress is what keeps him going and gives life its excitement.

He mentioned that what was causing him apprehension about this role was the challenge of deciding firmly on a character’s voice and personality, as well as the uncertainty about the narrative’s direction.

In the TV series MobLand, Brosnan’s portrayal of an accent has drawn some criticism. The Irish Independent commented that his speech was “scattered everywhere” and a major distraction. This must have been especially disappointing since Brosnan is indeed Irish by birth. He admits, “My own accent is quite subtle,” but the character’s accent is vastly different from his own. The inspiration for this accent came from a man suggested by his dialect coach. As he puts it, “I requested a Kerry accent, and he provided me with a name. I looked up the person on the internet, and that was it. It was indeed a Kerry accent, so I went ahead and gave it my all.

He seems quite fond of Conrad, as he expresses, ‘I like him, I admire him.’ However, it’s important to note that he quickly clarifies, ‘I enjoy him, but let me make this clear – he’s a dangerous psychopath.’ And indeed, his statement isn’t an exaggeration. Within the initial minutes of the first episode, Conrad, described by Brosnan as “brutish, cunning, charming, and dangerous,” is shown brutally killing a man by crushing his windpipe with his shoes.

In a departure from his usual roles, Brosnan is seldom seen portraying villains on screen, yet Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again showcased a different side of him. It’s less common, but exciting, like he says, “Yes, there are no restrictions.” He added, “You get to command the spotlight, you can soar and transform into whatever character you desire.

In simpler terms, Harry Da Souza, much like the character played by Hardy in this series, exerts his employer’s will using intimidation and force. Outside of this deadly profession, he strives to maintain his marriage and family life, a challenge that has led him to avoid couples counseling with his wife, portrayed by Joanne Froggatt. As Hardy himself puts it, “He’s a father, partner, and killer.” The intrigue lies in the fact that these different aspects of his life remain separate, with nothing from one affecting the others. This is what makes him such an intriguing character.

Harry is intense, troubled, and capable of severe violence, yet he has a witty side – when he goes to see a man in the hospital to convince him to cooperate, he tells him, “Whether it’s me or one of my companions, depending on my schedule, will track you down.” I was taken aback by how frequently I found myself chuckling while watching MobLand. Hardy concurs, stating that “Injecting a touch of the ordinary or refined into a scene can transform its tone into something humorous.

Growing up in East Sheen and attending a private school, young Hardy often watched shows like Hancock’s Half Hour and Monty Python, as his father was a scriptwriter for the Irish comedian Dave Allen. One might ponder if he ever receives scripts for light-hearted comedy productions now.

He remarks, “The scripts I receive are generally quite amusing, yet they frequently delve into some pretty grim subjects that might be too intense for others to handle. However, I find it completely normal.” In simpler terms, he jokes about the scripts often being dark, dealing with human suffering and despair, but finding a twisted humor in pain.

As a cinephile, I’d venture to say that MobLand delves into a unique portrayal of warped masculinity. I inquired from Brosnan about what could be gnawing at Conrad, fueling his thirst for power and propensity for violence, to which he responded, “His youth was corrupted by abandonment, and there lies a profound anger within him towards the man he’s become.

How can we interpret MobLand’s perspective on men and masculinity according to Hardy? This is what he seems to be asking, yet he subtly refrains from providing a direct answer, leaving us both intrigued.

He implies that the topic is intriguing but complex, and could lead to many thought-provoking discussions, which he believes is one of the reasons we create art. However, since he’s part of the team responsible for the creation, he feels it’s not his place to delve into it during promotion. Instead, he’s curious about what conversations will arise among viewers when they watch it. And to clarify, he states that he won’t be answering the question himself.

The creator expressed concerns that MobLand might unintentionally romanticize violence due to its intense nature, stating, “It’s not glamorous – it’s brutal.” He further explains that depictions of violence and cruelty have been prevalent in literature and theater since ancient times, from the Iliad and Odyssey, to the Bible and Dante’s Inferno. In his view, art has no boundaries, serving as a platform for exploration and conversation about the human condition. He suggests that while these stories are entertainment, they often carry valuable lessons.

As a movie critic, I must admit that I pondered whether MobLand could rival the epic tales of the Iliad and the Bible. Yet, after speaking with the formidable Tom Hardy, it became evidently clear that it’s better to simply nod in agreement rather than risk incurring his – or perhaps one of his associates’, depending on availability – wrath.

MobLand continues on Paramount+ on Sundays.

Consider adding MobLand to your favorite list on the “TopMob: Must-Watch TV Guide” app – available for instant access to daily TV suggestions, highlights, and additional content.

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2025-05-27 17:11