MobLand Season 1 Review

Season 1 of MobLand on Paramount+ gives us a good mobster drama through a fresh perspective that explores the criminal psyche on a sophisticated level.

Produced by Guy Ritchie (The Gentlemen), MobLand focuses on two warring crime families in London, the Harrigans and the Stevensons, each with their own empire: guns vs. drugs. Harrigan patriarch Conrad (Pierce Brosnan, of Black Bag) is bored at his height of power and hungry to expand his empire. He wants to break into the fentanyl game, which is where Stevenson patriarch Richie (Geoff Bell, of The Curse) reigns. The two do not get along, and where one respects rules and boundaries, the other does not.

When a drug-fueled night out for a young Harrigan ends with an unfortunate set of events that result in the death of a young Stevenson, any truce formerly set in place is voided. What happens next is a patient slew of back-handed strikes as the empires work their way up to clashing in a deadly battle of gunfire, mayhem, and total carnage that threatens everything both families have worked to secure. However, while we’re led to believe this clash of criminal titans is our main story, it is not.

All sights are set on Harry Da Souza (Tom Hardy, of Havoc), a well-known, street-smart “fixer” who works for the Harrigans, and who has worked with them for quite some time – long enough to be considered part of the family. Harry appears polished and refined, short of his polite but brooding demeanor; he is widely trusted and respected. He’s also desired by many in power, as he’s an unsuspecting threat of skill, accuracy, and intelligence.

Harry is no stranger to knowing where loyalties lie when opposing forces collide. He doesn’t just expect it, he prepares for it, and if you’re vigilant in your observation, you’ll see how his role as fixer not only affects him personally but also his family. 

As far as I’m concerned, there are two stars … okay, three … of MobLand. Hardy, of course, is the main star. His presence is magnetic, and with his well-timed use of dark humor, he dominates season 1 with his formidable performance, which he carefully uses to complement, not overshadow, his co-stars. You’ll enjoy watching him work, with his low-key, super-chill vibe, which he can turn threatening with simple word choice, tone, and inflection.

Helen Mirren, of 1923, is our next star. She gives a brilliantly exciting but curious performance as matriarch Maeve Harrigan. She lurks, she slithers, she baits and strikes, then she controls. She is smooth and cunning in her efforts – a “white queen” of betrayal and manipulation behind all that money and power. You’ll enjoy watching her work, intimidate, plot, and squirm. She and her psyche are forces of nature.

Paddy Considine, of House of the Dragon, is our break-out star here. He is quiet and unassuming, with a past full of identity-breaking secrets and hidden trauma. His character arc is both shocking and unforgettable, and by season’s end, he’ll have become one of your absolute favorites.

While MobLand has all the elements of a Guy Ritchie project–i.e., suspense, tension, high production value, vengeful gunfights resulting in grisly warfare, and sophisticated filmmaking techniques–it’s not the kind of crime drama that keeps you sucked in for the action. Don’t misunderstand me: When the action hits, it’s explosive, but the show is more of a melodrama with hefty amounts of dark humor, emotional intensity, and methodical explorations of psychological depth. It is plentiful with head games, surprises, and bombshells.

What’s compelling about MobLand is its deep-dive exploration into these criminal psyches to watch them power up or unravel under pressure. It’s fascinating to see how they came to be, how they operate based on their individual psychologies, and how their psyches are affected (or not affected) by the reality unfolding around them.

While its quick pace and intense high-stakes games aren’t anything new in crime series, they stand out in MobLand, thanks to its solid performances sprinkled with psychological intrigue, sharp writing, and smart directorial choices, such as tone and atmosphere (notice how scenes lighten when we’re dealing with upper echelon characters and how they darken when we’re not). This is enhanced by aerial cinematography showcasing the beauty of the English countryside. 

Also, here’s a fun fact: MobLand started out as a prequel to the hit Showtime series Ray Donovan. As it began to take shape, though, it was retooled as a standalone series. Fans of Ray Donovan will notice comparisons between characters. Harry seems to have much in common with Ray (Liev Schreiber), as both are fixers handling problems for the rich and powerful, as well as their crumbling own marriages. While Ray operates freelance, Harry is loyal to one boss. Both are cynical, rough around the edges, unafraid to get dirty, and equipped with hearts of gold. They’re also credible, lovable, and deeply troubled. Keep this in mind during your viewing experience.

Overall, season 1 of MobLand is a must-watch, sophisticated crime drama unfolding around the criminal psyche. You’ll appreciate the fresh perspective of taking itself seriously while remaining mindfully entertaining, and you should strive to do the same. Be patient and wait for this story to unfold like the perfect piece of origami it reveals itself to be.

Episodes 1-9 of MobLand Season 1 are now available to watch on Paramount+, with the finale airing on June 1, 2025.