Pierce Brosnan has heard the stories about Tom Hardy and the MobLand set. His version of their relationship is considerably less dramatic.
Months after reports of behind-the-scenes friction raised questions about Hardy’s future on the Paramount+ crime drama, Brosnan addressed the speculation at the show’s Sept. 10 Season 2 premiere in London. “Oh my God, it was a storm in a teacup, really,” he said.
Brosnan went further than denying a personal falling-out. He called himself a major admirer of Hardy’s work, said, “I love the dude. I love Tom Hardy,” and described the cast as “rock solid as a company, as a family.”
Paramount+ announced on Sept. 3 that the series had been renewed for Season 3 and confirmed Hardy’s return as fixer Harry Da Souza. Brosnan will return as Conrad Harrigan, with Mirren back as Maeve Harrigan.
Brosnan Says the ‘MobLand’ Cast Is ‘Rock Solid’
Brosnan made the comments at the Season 2 world premiere at London’s Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, where Hardy, Mirren and other members of the cast gathered ahead of the show’s return.
“We are rock solid as a company, as a family,” Brosnan told reporters, according to PEOPLE. He said the pace of production means the actors generally arrive, do the work and return to their families instead of spending their evenings socializing together.
“Everyone shows up for work, and everybody’s just there on the spot,” Brosnan said. The former James Bond actor also called himself “a massive fan” of Hardy’s work.
The Original Reports About Hardy’s Future Changed Within Days
In May, Variety initially reported that Hardy would not appear in a third season and cited sources who said he had not been asked to return following problems with members of the production.
Six days later, the outlet published a significant update. Sources said Hardy had not actually been fired, that the door remained open for Season 3 and that discussions were underway to resolve creative differences involving Hardy, writer Jez Butterworth and producer David Glasser. Variety reported that tensions were real and cited complaints about issues including tardiness and script rewrites.
Helen Mirren Had Already Defended Hardy
Mirren publicly supported Hardy after reports suggested she had become frustrated with him. In June, she told PEOPLE that she would work with him again “in a f—ing heartbeat” and called him an extraordinary actor.
She also argued that performers have different working processes and said her support for Hardy was genuine. More recently, Mirren told Entertainment Weekly that Hardy was “very much in” for Season 3 and that the cast loved working with him.
Hardy returned the praise at the London premiere. He described working with Brosnan and Mirren as a “privilege” and said he had admired both performers long before they became his scene partners.
The Three Stars Reunited at the London Premiere
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Hardy, Mirren and Brosnan posed together on the red carpet, while Hardy and Mirren were also photographed embracing. Season 2 puts the Harrigans under pressure from both inside and outside their criminal empire.
Paramount says Conrad and Maeve struggle to present a united front as new rivals threaten the family, while Harry is forced to navigate increasingly dangerous loyalties. The 10-episode second season premieres globally on Paramount+ on Sept. 18, with new episodes arriving weekly.