The 2025 series MobLand, directed by Guy Ritchie, is not The Gentlemen. This is all about rotten apples. *Ritchie is only down for two episodes actually.* The first episode brings up this analogy, or allegory of rotten apples. If one can stick the entire series, the theme continues.
the story
The Harrigans and the Stevensons are setting up for war. It is all about turf, boundaries and fentanyl. Harry, Tom Hardy, is the fixer for Conrad Harrigan. He moves and grooves trying to make all the pieces fit. In the end, however, it is all about looking out for number one; Harry Da Souza.
The very first time we meet Harry and Conrad in MobLand the boss talks about rotten apples. This conversation leads to bloodshed. As the series progresses, it appears that the gangsters are all rotten.
To the core.
The Main Cast
Paddy Considine is Kevin Harrigan.
Geoff Bell is Richie Stevenson.
Tom Hardy is Harry Da Souza.
Pierce Brosnan is Conrad Harrigan.
Joanne Froggatt is Jan Da Souza.
Lara Pulver is Bella Harrigan.
Anson Boon is Eddie Harrigan.
Helen Mirren is Maeve Harrigan.
Mandeep Dhillon is Seraphina Harrigan.
Daniel Betts is Brendan Harrigan.
Teddie Allen is Gina Da Souza.
Emily Barber is Alice.
Toby Jones is Tattersall.
Cameos
Tommy Flanagan is Moody.
Jordi Mollà is Jaimie Lopez.
MobLand BTS
MobLand creator Ronan Bennett has an excellent track record. Gunpowder, The Day of the Jackal, et al. This mid sixties Irishman has the gift. He manages to give us fascinating characters moving at a frenetic pace. In this world of crooks and con men, everyone is suspect. Everyone is a rotten apple. Except, perhaps, Harry Da Souza; the man who tries to keep the Harrigan empire dancing.
The camera work, music, and sets all fit this dingy yet glamorous world of fentanyl, death and a solitary fixer.
*Although it could be argued that Toby Jones’ character, Tattersall is also a fixer of sorts.*
Bennett’s touch is clearly felt with the family Harrigan. Maeve, all piss and vitriol is clearly itching for a fight; with anyone. *Mirren, who is in everything at the moment, becomes annoying. I began to wish someone would “off the mad b**t” just to shut her up. Only Dame Helen can reach these heights of annoyance. She is that good.*
It is exhausting
MobLand‘s cast of characters are interesting and rather deep for a load of English gangsters. They are so busy stabbing each other in the back it becomes exhausting. Only Harry, as the man who must keep all the ties bound and separate parties happy, is more tiring.
It is addictive
MobLand is full of action. Shooting, car chases, torture and enough irritating characters that one simply can’t wait to see them meet sticky ends. Amazingly enough, it is the annoying characters that makes the show so compelling. Hardy’s Da Souza leads the pack in terms of being watchable. But, the likes of Maeve and Eddie come a close second.
It is annoying
If I have to watch another show with Brosnan or Mirren in it, I may give up on television altogether. Are there really no other actors available in their age bracket? *Granted I’ve not been a huge Mirren fan since she ripped Parky a strip. This was back in the day on his talk show. But surely there is someone else?”
It is all a big muddle
To sum things up, MobLand is in a muddle. Despite Harry’s best hopping from hot brick to hot brick, it is all falling apart. June 1 gives us episode 10 and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Muddles and rotten gangsters aside, the show is as English as Cricket, tea and pints down the pub. Everyone brings something to the table. From Toby Jones’ late entry to Tommy Flanagan and his early one, all the players shine here.
The Verdict
MobLand is a solid 5 stars. Apart from Mirren, who is literally everywhere right now, the cast is spot on and entertaining. The storyline is brilliant and Mirren is not the only actor chewing up great bits of scenery. Bell, roars like a lion and Hardy does what he does best; he plays the hard man.
New episodes stream Sundays on Paramount +.
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