Tom Hardy has been dropped from the Paramount+ crime drama MobLand ahead of its third series, following a string of reported clashes with producers and growing tension with co-star Dame Helen Mirren, who sources say became increasingly frustrated with his on-set behaviour.
The actor’s departure was first reported by The Puck newsletter, written by former Hollywood Reporter editorial director Matthew Belloni, which stated that Paramount had opted not to pick up Hardy for season three. The newsletter attributed the decision to “clashes with producers Jez Butterworth and David Glasser, among others, during the recent production of season two.”
Prior to news of his dismissal, the Daily Mail’s Katie Hind had already reported that Dame Helen, 80, who plays Maeve Harrigan in the series alongside Hardy’s fixer Harry Da Souza and Pierce Brosnan, had grown deeply unhappy with the 47-year-old’s conduct on set. Sources told the Daily Mail she had become “increasingly frustrated” with his attitude, his lateness and his tone — with one insider describing him as swaggering around “like he’s the king.”
“Dame Helen is a joy, she is a total pro and she has worked with so many people over the years,” one source said. “But she is getting increasingly frustrated with Tom and his attitude. He can be late to filming too and that is annoying for Dame Helen, who is extremely professional and disciplined. She expects better. She holds people to a high standard. She’s 80. She’s been there and seen it all.”
A source close to the production described a pattern of behaviour that went beyond lateness. Hardy reportedly pushed to change lines during filming, offered unsolicited notes on the script and was at one point found playing games on his phone when he was expected elsewhere. According to sources, tensions with writer and producer Jez Butterworth became so acute that Butterworth reportedly threatened to quit the show himself. One source suggested Hardy had grown frustrated that the series was increasingly centring on his co-stars rather than his own character.
The Daily Mail’s reporting described the atmosphere behind the scenes as having become “quite personal,” with crew members noting that Mirren no longer appeared happy filming scenes alongside him. “It feels like Tom is winding her up,” one insider said. “It’s a fantastic show and everyone loves working on it. It’s such a shame there is this undertone.”
The reports have drawn comparisons to Hardy’s troubled relationship with Charlize Theron during the production of Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015, when his persistent lateness and on-set conduct led to a screaming match and Theron reportedly refusing to be alone with him on set.
Hardy, who has spoken candidly about his physical condition in recent interviews, told Esquire UK that he has undergone two knee surgeries, suffers from a herniated disc, sciatica and a pulled hip tendon and had been planning a sabbatical following the completion of filming. “It’s all falling to bits now, and it’s not going to get better,” he said.
MobLand, which draws significant audiences on Paramount+, will continue without him for its third series.
