On a dazzling night in London’s Leicester Square, Pierce Brosnan heaped praise on his co-star and longtime friend Helen Mirren during the U.K. premiere of the new Paramount series MobLand. This event marked a nostalgic reunion for Brosnan and Mirren, who first appeared on the big screen together in The Long Good Friday (1980). The two renowned actors now portray crime couple Conrad and Maeve Harrigan in Guy Ritchie‘s stylish series, with Tom Hardy assuming the role of their “fixer,” Harry Da Souza.
“We enjoy each other’s company a lot,” Brosnan shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m a great admirer of Helen’s work. I think she’s a beautiful woman. I’ve admired her from afar for many years, and my first movie was with her – but it wasn’t really with her,” Brosnan admitted, recalling his small role alongside Mirren in their first film collaboration. “It’s a movie called The Long Good Friday.”
The remarkable chemistry between Brosnan and Mirren extends beyond their roles. “She’s a powerhouse of a woman, a powerhouse of an actress. She’s got a lot of heart, a lot of soul. I love her to bits,” Brosnan conveyed with affection and respect for his co-star.
MobLand, crafted by Ronan Bennett and scripted by Jez Butterworth, originated as The Donovans, an origin story linked to the Ray Donovan series. Over time, it morphed into an independent narrative that Brosnan believes stands out in the crowded realm of television. “It remains to be seen what it brings to the table, [but] I think it brings a lot, actually. I think it’s a powerful story. I think it’s beautifully written by Jez Butterworth. It’s one of the reasons why I said ‘yes’ to it.”
Brosnan elaborated on how Mirren joined the production while they were filming Chris Columbus’ The Thursday Murder Club. “When they sent me the five episodes, I said ‘yes.’ Then to Helen I said, ‘Are you gonna do it?’ ’Cause we were working on Thursday Murder Club. She said: ‘I’ll read it,’ and she did and she said, ‘I love it. I’m in.’”
Adding to the excitement of the MobLand premiere was the presence of talented actors such as Tom Hardy, Paddy Considine, Joanne Froggatt, Lara Pulver, Anson Boon, Mandeep Dhillon, and Jasmine Jobson. Ritchie and director Anthony Byrne were also in attendance, the latter expressing his delight at the collaborative experience. According to Byrne, “I haven’t worked with a cast like this in one show. … I think that’s very exciting for audiences to see that mix of Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren.”
Sharing his perspective on set dynamics, Byrne noted, “The vibe was always really good. I know Tom from Peaky [Blinders], so it was a pleasure to work with him again and really get into the arc of the story and character, rather than a cameo of [Hardy’s Peaky character] Alfie Solomon’s. That was a real thrill, to spend that time and do a deep-dive with him. And weirdly it was not intimidating to be around Helen and Pierce given their stature.”
As Brosnan and Mirren once again share the screen, their mutual admiration and the captivating storyline of MobLand promise to leave a significant mark on viewers. The anticipation surrounding their collaboration only heightens the promise this show holds for its audience, eager to witness the synergy between these two beloved actors. With MobLand set to premiere exclusively on Paramount+ on March 30, the series stands poised to make waves within the entertainment landscape.
