Why Stars Flock to the Talked-About Mafia Series
The trio boasts numerous film successes in their careers. Now, Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Tom Hardy star in the new series MobLand, directed by Guy Ritchie.
– I've never sworn so much in front of the camera as in this series, says Helen Mirren in a behind-the-scenes clip.
EXTERNAL LINK: Watch MobLand here – currently 40 percent off. From the silver screen to TV series. With the advent of streaming services, the TV industry has increasingly focused on series. Stars we previously saw in major films are now doing TV. An example is Richard Gere, who makes his first TV role ever in The Agency. And in MobLand, the lead role is played by Pierce Brosnan, perhaps best known for the films about a famous British agent. The series premieres in Sweden on SkyShowtime on June 9.
– What attracted me to MobLand was Guy Ritchie. Guy Ritchie's works are refreshing, stimulating, captivating, sexy, bold, humorous, and ultimately extremely entertaining, says Brosnan in a behind-the-scenes clip.
He plays London-based mafia boss Conrad Harrigan, whose international network is heading into a devastating gang war with a rival family.
– He's an Irishman, a businessman, a family man, and also a gangster. He's quite an unpleasant and brutal person, cunning. But he's also a very nice gentleman, says Brosnan about his role and continues:
– He's seen a lot of violence and has been subjected to violence and abuse.
“An Interesting Sign of the Times”
By Conrad's side stands the coldly calculating wife Maeve, played by the multi-award-winning Helen Mirren.
– My wife is the brain behind my charm. She holds me together, which makes her the most dangerous person of us all, says Brosnan's character in a trailer clip.
Mirren, who also stars in the Yellowstone spinoff 1923, has transitioned to primarily doing TV in recent years. MobLand, which has already succeeded in the US and UK, had a grand premiere this spring – at a cinema in London.
– I've never experienced a TV series, a streamed series, being launched this way. I think it's an interesting sign of the times, isn't it? How we watch entertainment, how we view film, what a film is, she says to the YouTube channel uInterview.
“Funny and Serious at the Same Time”
Tom Hardy plays the “fixer” Harry Da Souza, who carries out the mafia family's dirtiest tasks. When the conflict flares up, he suddenly finds himself in a very dangerous situation.
– It's easy to see Harry as a charmer, a cool guy, but he's also something of a monster, says Hardy about his character.
MobLand is his reunion with acclaimed director Guy Ritchie, who has several well-known gangster films to his name. In 2008, the duo made a film together, with Hardy playing a smaller role that time.
– I've always been curious about doing a series, or making a film with him, working closely together. Understanding how he sees things and developing things together, says Hardy and adds:
– I admire him for having his own style.
Even though MobLand is a hard-boiled mafia series, Mirren sees other ingredients that might appeal to viewers:
– I hope the audience understands its tone. It's funny and serious at the same time. It has many stories, is dark, extreme, and hopefully a classic “Guy Ritchie-fun” ride, she says. EXTERNAL LINK: 40 percent off – take advantage of the offer here.