Guy Ritchie’s crime drama MobLand has rapidly climbed to the No. 2 spot on Paramount+, surpassing well-established Taylor Sheridan shows like Yellowstone, Tulsa King, and Lioness to become the platform’s leading crime drama as of July 8, 2025. This British series, known for its intense portrayal of London’s criminal underworld, owes its success to sharp writing, strong performances, and iconic direction.
MobLand’s Rise to Paramount+’s Second Highest Ranking
Since its debut on March 30, MobLand has generated significant buzz, propelled by its gritty depiction of crime in London and a stellar cast that includes Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren, and Pierce Brosnan. With a 75% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the series has caught the attention of viewers and critics alike, quickly climbing Paramount+’s July 8 streaming charts. It now stands just below South Park, officially claiming the top slot among crime dramas on the service.
MobLand sets itself apart from typical American crime dramas by fusing the raw, stylized flair emblematic of Guy Ritchie’s filmmaking with intense, high-stakes storytelling centered around the Harrigan crime family’s conflicts with rival gang the Stevensons. Tom Hardy stars as Harry Da Souza, a relentless fixer determined to hold the Harrigans’ empire intact amid violent rivalries and deadly maneuvering.
Thanks to strong creative leadership from Ritchie and directors like Anthony Byrne, combined with the writing talents of Top Boy’s Ronan Bennett and Ford v Ferrari’s Jez Butterworth, MobLand delivers a compelling narrative that blends British grit with suspenseful storytelling. Paramount+ has already confirmed a second season, signaling confidence in the series’ momentum and its challenge to Taylor Sheridan’s dominance on the platform.
What Sets MobLand Apart from Taylor Sheridan’s Series
MobLand’s edge lies in its immersive atmosphere and taut scripting, which many argue is superior in quality compared to Taylor Sheridan’s shows. The series unpacks the brutal realities of London’s criminal factions with a cinematic style anchored by authentic characters and raw tension. Tom Hardy’s portrayal of Harry Da Souza combines toughness with nuanced vulnerability, creating a protagonist that commands attention.
The narrative structure, with episodes rolling out weekly until June 1, has kept audiences engaged, building anticipation that culminated in MobLand blowing past longstanding series like Yellowstone. The show’s exploration of family loyalty, power struggles, and urban violence resonates powerfully, supported by the dynamic contributions of Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan in key roles.
With Guy Ritchie’s recognizable direction and a screenplay crafted by Bennett and Butterworth, MobLand merges fast-paced action with sharp dialogue and complex characters. This creative collaboration has forged a fresh crime drama that appeals not only to UK viewers but also to an international audience hungry for stylish yet substantive storytelling.
Taylor Sheridan’s Upcoming Series Aim to Regain Dominance
Despite MobLand’s surge, Taylor Sheridan is preparing a strong slate of new and returning shows in 2025 to reclaim his top position on Paramount+. Among these are five notable series that blend Sheridan’s trademark themes of family, violence, and survival.
- Landman: Billy Bob Thornton stars as a crisis manager navigating the cutthroat oil industry in West Texas. Premiering soon after Yellowstone’s conclusion, early reviews suggest it is a grounded and compelling drama with broad appeal.
- Lioness (Season 2): Returning stars Zoe Saldaña and Laysla De Oliveira continue their CIA thriller filled with high-stakes espionage and personal drama, seeking to build on the success of the first season.
- 1923 (Season 2): As a Yellowstone prequel featuring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, this series returns with frontier violence and complex family legacies, offering prestige storytelling infused with classic Western grit.
- The Madison: Set within the Yellowstone universe but focusing on the Clyburn family in Montana, Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Fox lead this fresh, present-day spin-off promising new storylines and intrigue.
- Beth and Rip Spin-off / Yellowstone Season 6: Featuring fan favorites Beth and Rip, this continuation or spin-off channels strong chemistry and a built-in audience eager for more of Sheridan’s signature style.
These upcoming shows reinforce Sheridan’s intention to compete fiercely against MobLand’s ascendancy. Viewers will soon witness whether any of these series can dethrone the British thriller and reclaim Paramount+’s crime drama crown.
Why MobLand’s Success Matters for Crime Drama
MobLand’s rapid rise on Paramount+ illustrates a shifting landscape in streaming crime dramas, where British storytelling with gritty realism and cinematic flair can challenge established American franchises. Its success underscores the global audience’s appetite for nuanced, grounded crime narratives that evoke vivid tension without relying solely on familiar Western tropes.
The backing of talented creators like Guy Ritchie, Ronan Bennett, and Jez Butterworth combined with heavyweight acting talent ensures MobLand is more than a fleeting hit. The confirmed second season promises to deepen the saga of the Harrigan and Stevenson families, potentially solidifying the show’s place as a major player that could reshape crime drama trends on Paramount+ and beyond.
“MobLand just pulled off a stunner on Paramount+. The gritty British crime drama… has rocketed to the No. 2 spot on the platform’s July 8 charts, leapfrogging over Yellowstone, Tulsa King, and Lioness.”
—Flix Patrol
“With Season 2 already confirmed, MobLand isn’t just a one-season wonder. It’s here to challenge Sheridan’s hold on Paramount+, and it’s doing it with British steel, family bloodlines, and the kind of storytelling that doesn’t flinch.”
—Article summary
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Guy Ritchie a true story?
A. Guy Ritchie’s film, The Covenant, doesn’t tell a single true story, but it is influenced by real historical events. In 2016, two years before the movie’s setting, The Smithsonian published an article called The Haunting Fate of the Afghan Interpreters the U.S. Left Behind.
Q. Is Guy Ritchie dyslexic?
A. Ritchie has dyslexia and went to Windlesham House School in West Sussex and Stanbridge Earls School in Hampshire. When he was 15, he got expelled. Ritchie explained he was expelled due to drug use, but his father mentioned it was because he skipped classes and had a girl in his room.
