Guy Ritchie’s latest crime drama, MobLand, premiered on Paramount+ over the weekend of March 29-31, 2025, and has already stirred significant buzz among fans and critics alike. With a solid score of 71% from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, the series currently sits at #2 on Paramount+’s top 10 TV chart, just behind the popular prequel series 1923 from Taylor Sheridan. While 1923 has only one episode left in its second season, MobLand has nine more episodes to go, suggesting it may soon overtake its predecessor.
MobLand features a star-studded cast including Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, and Dame Helen Mirren, and revolves around the conflict between two crime families—the Harrigans and the Stevensons—set against the gritty backdrop of London’s underworld. Hardy plays Harry Da Souza, a fixer caught in the crossfire, while Brosnan and Mirren portray the heads of the Harrigan family, Conrad and Maeve, respectively.
Ritchie, who is known for his iconic gangster films such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and The Gentlemen, serves as the executive producer for MobLand and is set to direct at least two episodes. The series was created and primarily written by Ronan Bennett, with contributions from Jez Butterworth. Bennett’s previous work includes the acclaimed series Top Boy and the recent adaptation of The Day of the Jackal.
As the first episode hit the streaming platform, fans quickly took to social media to voice their excitement. One viewer praised the show as "simply superb," adding that Ritchie is in "epic form" with this latest release. Another enthusiastically described Hardy’s performance as commanding, stating, "You’re not watching a TV show. You’re witnessing a man become a legend." However, not all feedback was positive. Some viewers criticized Brosnan’s Irish accent, which many found to be inconsistent and distracting. Comments ranged from calling it "horrific" to "offensive," despite Brosnan himself acknowledging the challenge of reviving his accent after years of living abroad.
The official trailer for MobLand, released three weeks prior to the premiere, garnered an impressive 7.3 million views on YouTube, indicating strong interest leading up to the show's debut. The narrative centers around the Harrigan family, whose power is threatened by the rival Stevenson family. The matriarch, Maeve Harrigan, played by Mirren, navigates the treacherous waters of organized crime alongside her husband, Conrad, portrayed by Brosnan. Meanwhile, Hardy's character, Harry Da Souza, is tasked with resolving the family's issues, often resorting to violence when necessary.
Despite the excitement surrounding the series, some critics have expressed disappointment. A review from The Telegraph noted that while Hardy's performance is commendable, the show falls prey to Ritchie’s familiar clichés. The Financial Times echoed these sentiments, calling MobLand "in need of a good fixer" and suggesting that it lacks the innovative spark needed to captivate a modern audience.
In an interview with Sharp Magazine, Brosnan shared insights about the production, revealing that he was asked to adopt a more pronounced Irish accent just minutes before filming began. "I thought, bloody hell. More Irish? What even is my Irish accent? I’ve forgotten what my Irish accent sounds like," he remarked. Despite his concerns, he expressed confidence in Ritchie’s direction, stating, "He allowed me to go anywhere I wanted on the stage, and to play the great emotions Conrad has." This freedom in performance seems to resonate with some viewers, even if the execution of his accent has been met with skepticism.
As MobLand continues its rollout, it faces the challenge of maintaining viewer engagement over its ten-episode run. The series is released weekly, and while the initial episode has drawn a mixed bag of reactions, many are eager to see how the story unfolds. The blend of crime, family dynamics, and Ritchie’s signature style could either solidify its place in the genre or risk being overshadowed by its predecessors.
For those looking for additional content on Paramount+, the platform also features other popular titles such as Ray Donovan, which currently ranks #5 on the top 10 list, as well as movies like Frank Grillo’s Long Gone Heroes and Sicario 2. As the streaming wars continue to heat up, MobLand represents yet another entry in the ever-expanding catalog of crime dramas vying for viewers’ attention.
With the first episode now available, fans of Ritchie and the crime genre are invited to dive into the world of MobLand and witness the high-stakes drama unfold. As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see if it can rise to the occasion and carve out a lasting legacy in the crowded landscape of television.
