Tom Hardy and Helen Mirren’s Crime Drama ‘MobLand’ Has a Sluggish Start: TV Review

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In a distinct twist on U.K. crime dramas, “MobLand” on Paramount+, created by Ronan Bennett (known for “The Day of the Jackal” and “Top Boy”) takes viewers deep into the rivalry between two powerful criminal families, the Harrigans and the Stevensons. Unlike other characters, the story primarily focuses on Harry Da Souza, a longtime fixer in the Harrigan family, played by Tom Hardy. Pierce Brosnan portrays Conrad, the patriarch of the Harrigans, while Helen Mirren takes on the role of matriarch Maeve, and Geoff Bell plays Richie, the Stevensons’ leader. Directed by Guy Ritchie for the first two episodes, “MobLand” delivers a gripping narrative filled with tension and exceptional acting, but it remains to be seen if this series can maintain its momentum throughout its ten-part season.

Originally conceived as a spinoff from the popular Showtime series “Ray Donovan,” titled “MobLand” was later transformed into an independent show with no ties to the Liev Schreiber-led production. The narrative begins in a gloomy London bunker, where Harry, the head of a criminal alliance involving the Dogan and Lazaro syndicates, sits at the table. These groups, engaged in heated disputes, eventually reach a fragile truce following intense discussions. Emerging from the bunker, Harry debriefs Conrad on the developments. Unhappy with this temporary peace, Conrad, the mob boss, issues Harry additional instructions to permanently resolve the feud between the families. For Harry, it’s just another day of business, an episode he compartmentalizes when he returns home to his upscale apartment and his long-suffering wife, Jan (Joanne Froggatt from “Downton Abbey”), and their adolescent daughter, Gina (Teddie Allen).

In a different part of town, Harry might have wrapped up his task, yet for two young lads, their night is just starting. Stepping out from a bar in Mayfair, Eddie Harrigan (Anson Boon) attempts to convince a hesitant Tommy Stevenson (Felix Edwards) to prolong the evening. Tommy is cautious, not only due to the conflict between their families but also because Eddie’s intimidating demeanor unsettles him. Despite being seen together later that night, Tommy fails to return home by morning.

As Richie and his wife Annie Cooper grapple with their son’s disappearance, they start to suspect and argue with the Harrigans. This longstanding, tension-filled dispute gradually puts Harry in the spotlight as he struggles to find a way to resolve it while also dealing with imminent problems within the Harrigan family that threaten to escalate. The main criticism of “MobLand” (particularly in the first two episodes) is that it starts off very slowly. Despite its intense violence and drama, “MobLand” lacks momentum until approximately 25 minutes into the series premiere, “Stick or Twist.” Performances by Brosnan and Mirren are always captivating. However, their intricate relationship, masterminded by Maeve, does not fully materialize until the final scene of the episode.

Initially, viewers meet the Harrigans and Stevensons at the brink of conflict, making it necessary to gradually disentangle their complex family histories and Harry’s long-standing relationship with them. In Episode 2, titled “Jigsaw Puzzle,” we delve into Harry’s past interactions with the Harrigans, as portrayed in flashbacks featuring him and Eddie’s father, Kevin (Paddy Considine). Kevin, a man who struggles to accept the violence associated with his father’s business empire, is introduced.

Beyond being renowned for playing powerful characters, Hardy’s character, Harry, initially appears restrained in the first two episodes. However, it isn’t until the end of the second episode that we see the reserved fixer break free from his shell. Alongside his partner Kiko (played by Antonio González Guerrero), he creates chaos at a bustling nightclub, a moment that brings a sigh of relief from viewers as they finally witness this character capable of more than just making threats and managing details. It’s at this point that the story truly begins to gain momentum.

It’s tough to predict how the entire “MobLand” series might unfold without watching its last eight episodes. It doesn’t seem to have the expansive narrative of Peacock’s “Day of the Jackal” or the captivating chaos of Ritchie’s 2024 Netflix show, “The Gentlemen.” Nevertheless, some fascinating plot twists, mainly concentrated in the second episode, make it exciting to see if the storyline will develop, particularly with such a star-studded cast playing prominent roles.

“MobLand” premieres March 30 on Paramount+ with new episodes dropping weekly on Sundays.

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2025-03-28 10:16