Helen Mirren has broken her silence on rumours that Tom Hardy was fired from the television series MobLand following a series of clashes with producers on set. The British actor, 48, who portrays fixer Harry Da Souza alongside Pierce Brosnan and Mirren, is reportedly not returning for the upcoming third season.
Despite the claims, Mirren has publicly displayed her full support for Hardy on Instagram. Sharing a photo of Hardy on Thursday, the 80-year-old actress wrote: 'Love you now and always Helen.'
Insiders claim Hardy was accused of repeatedly arriving late for work, a trait that allegedly sparked shouting matches with Charlize Theron during the filming of Mad Max: Fury Road. His behaviour reportedly left Theron 'scared s**tless', it was later claimed.
A source close to the MobLand project has alleged that Hardy was late and pushed to change some lines during filming. He also apparently offered notes on the script without being asked. One source claimed that he was frustrated that the series was becoming more about his co-stars Mirren and Brosnan. Tensions with producer Jez Butterworth allegedly led to threats from Butterworth to quit himself.
The Puck newsletter reported: 'I'm told Paramount recently opted not to pick up Hardy for season three.' The report also blamed 'clashes with producers Jez Butterworth and David Glasser, among others, during the recent production of season two'. The newsletter, written by former editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter Matthew Belloni, claims producers could not continue to deal with Hardy's alleged behaviour.
It is not the first time Hardy has been involved in tensions on set. Reports at the time claimed he and Charlize Theron were involved in screaming rows over his lateness while filming Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015. In 2022, Hardy responded to reports that Theron felt threatened by his behaviour, admitting: 'In hindsight, I was in over my head in many ways. The pressure on both of us was overwhelming at times. What she needed was a better, perhaps more experienced partner in me. That's something that can't be faked. I'd like to think that now that I'm older and uglier, I could rise to that occasion.'
The gritty series MobLand follows powerful London crime bosses Conrad and Maeve Harrigan, played by Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren, as they battle a rival syndicate threatening their empire. Puck News reported that Paramount and Hardy declined to comment when approached. The Daily Mail has contacted Hardy's representatives for comment.
It was previously claimed Hardy was set to take a sabbatical after filming finished on MobLand due to 'needing to have a rest'. He told Esquire UK: 'I've had two knee surgeries now, my disc's herniated in my back. I've got sciatica as well. And I have that… is it plantar fasciitis? Where did that come from? And why? Why?! And I pulled my tendon in my hip as well. It's all falling to bits now, and it's not going to get better.'
