Guy Ritchie's new series, MobLand, has made its debut on Paramount+ as of March 30, 2025. Featuring a star-studded ensemble cast including heavyweights like Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, and Helen Mirren, the crime drama has already garnered significant attention both for its powerful performances and its intricate plotlines.
Set against the backdrop of a violent gang war in London, MobLand dives deep into the conflicts between two crime families: the Harrigans and the Stevensons. The narrative is driven by the intense dynamics of these rival families. Tom Hardy steps into the shoes of Harry Da Souza, the devoted fixer for the Harrigans, whereas Pierce Brosnan portrays Conrad Harrigan, the powerful patriarch, entrusting Helen Mirren with the role of his wife, Maeve. The cast also includes Paddy Considine as their son Kevin, and Geoff Bell as Richie Stevenson, the head of the competing family.
The story kicks off with a suspenseful premise: a fragile truce between the two families teeters on the edge when Stevenson’s son disappears after an altercation involving Conrad's grandson. This incident ignites a chain of events that spiral into a violent and potentially catastrophic showdown.
Critics have been quick to highlight the show's thrilling action scenes and the cast's performance, particularly noting Hardy’s standout portrayal of Harry. His character’s personal and professional challenges add layers to the storyline. However, the premiere episode drew some criticisms for its packed narrative that seemed to brush against its own pacing issues. Balancing Harry's tense family life with his wife, Jan (played by Joanne Froggatt), alongside the main gangland drama, proved a bit cumbersome for the initial pacing.
That said, viewers of MobLand might find solace in the second episode, which reportedly reins back the sprawling subplots to focus more effectively on the primary conflict brewing between the Harrigans and the Stevensons. This move could potentially refine the series' direction and excite fans of Ritchie's previous crime sagas.
MobLand is a significant project marking Ritchie's return to television after his successful endeavor with The Gentlemen. Known for his signature style in depicting organized crime, the anticipation around whether he can weave a tightly-knit narrative throughout the season remains high. If the subsequent episodes align with the improvements seen in the second installment, Ritchie might just have another hit in his hands.
