MobLand may be a brutal tale of London’s warring crime families, but according to insiders, the real conflict is erupting when the cameras stop rolling—between two of the show’s biggest stars, Dame Helen Mirren and Tom Hardy.
Multiple sources on the Paramount+ hit reveal that relations have grown “extremely strained” during filming of the second series, with Dame Helen increasingly exasperated by Hardy’s behaviour on set. One insider says the 80-year-old screen legend has become “frustrated at his lateness,” while another claims Hardy is sometimes spotted “playing games on his phone” instead of preparing for scenes.
Dame Helen, who plays formidable matriarch Maeve Harrigan, is described as “a joy… a total pro,” but insiders say she is finding it harder to work closely with Hardy as tensions rise. Hardy, 48, reprises his role as gangster fixer Harry Da Souza—calm and composed on screen, but reportedly quite the opposite off set.
One crew member explains that Helen “doesn’t like his tone” and expects higher standards from those she works with. They add that she “no longer looks as happy filming scenes with him,” and the tension has grown personal. “It feels like Tom is winding her up. There’s a lot of chatter he swaggers around like he’s the king. People think he’s very arrogant.”
Another source claims Hardy can get visibly irritable behind the scenes. His representative did not respond to requests for comment.
The cast reunited just over four weeks ago, including Pierce Brosnan as Helen’s on-screen husband Conrad and Joanne Froggatt as Jan Da Souza. Filming has recently taken place in the Cotswolds and around Tower Bridge.
This is not the first time Hardy’s on-set behaviour has raised eyebrows. During Mad Max: Fury Road, tensions with Charlize Theron escalated due to lateness, creative clashes and his intense acting style—tensions so severe she reportedly requested on-set protection. Hardy later acknowledged he had been “out of his depth” and not the acting partner Theron needed.
