It’s the star-studded, gritty drama which tells the story of warring crime families in London and has some of the biggest names involved, including Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Tom Hardy.
But when the cameras stop rolling, it appears that a real-life personal battle is taking place between the show’s two biggest stars.
Sources on the set of MobLand, the much-watched Paramount+ show, say that relations between Helen Mirren and Tom Hardy have become ‘extremely strained’ as they film the second series.
Helen Mirren as Maeve Harrigan in Mobland, season 1, Streaming on Paramount+ 2025. Photo Credit: Jason Bell/Paramount+
One insider even reveals the actress becoming increasingly frustrated at his lateness, while another member of the crew says that Hardy, 48, is at times to be found playing games on his phone.
Sources have told The Mail on Sunday that Helen, 80, who portrays the formidable Irish matriarch Maeve Harrigan in Guy Ritchie’s acclaimed series, is ‘getting increasingly frustrated’ at heart-throb Hardy’s attitude on set. The fallout has led her struggling to work closely with him after they came together to make the second series last month, with Hardy reprising his role as gangster fixer Harry Da Souza.
One said, ‘Tom’s character is charming. He’s the calm one, but it is quite the opposite when the cameras stop. Helen is a total pro, and she has worked with so many people over the years.
Tom Hardy as Harry Da Souza in MOBLAND, episode 10, season 1, Streaming on Paramount+ 2025. Photo Credit: Luke Varley/Paramount+
‘But she is getting increasingly frustrated with Tom and his attitude. He can be late to filming, too, and that is annoying for Helen, who is extremely disciplined. His tone is something Helen doesn’t like, along with his lateness. She expects better. She’s 80. She’s been there and seen it all.
‘The behind-the-scenes crew watch it all and believes that she no longer looks as happy working on scenes with him. It has all become quite personal between them. ‘It feels like Tom is winding her up. There is much chatter that he swaggers around like he’s the king. He is very, very arrogant. It’s a fantastic show, and everyone loves working on it. It’s such a shame there is this undertone.’
Credit: Rex
Another source says Hardy, who is married to Peaky Blinders actress Charlotte Riley, 43, has a tendency to get cross behind the scenes.
A representative for the actor didn’t respond when asked for comment.
Pierce Brosnan and Dame Helen Mirren attend the “MobLand” Global Premiere. Pic: WireImage
Hardy and Helen were reunited four weeks ago when they began filming the show’s second season.
MobLand also stars Navan man Pierce Brosnan, 72, as Helen’s on-screen husband, Conrad, and Downton Abbey’s Joanne Froggatt, 45, as Jan Da Souza, the wife of Hardy’s character.
It’s not the first time Hardy’s on-set tendencies have emerged. He clashed with Charlize Theron while filming 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road, due to creative differences, lateness and his immersive acting style, leading to a tense environment. His behaviour reportedly left Theron feeling threatened enough to require on-set protection. Hardy later admitted he wasn’t the acting partner Theron needed and was ‘out of his depth’.
