Guy Ritchie has officially launched MobLand on Paramount Plus, marking a dramatic shift in direction after abandoning original plans for a Ray Donovan spin-off. The new crime drama, led by Ritchie’s renowned touch, debuted in the United States in 2024, featuring a high-profile cast and promising to reinvigorate the streaming platform’s lineup of family-driven crime series. Paramount Plus, already known for titles like Yellowstone and Mayor of Kingstown, is positioning MobLand as its next major draw, signaling a bold move aimed at fans of intense, high-stakes storytelling.
MobLand did not begin its journey as an entirely original concept. Initially, the series was envisioned as The Donovans, a direct spin-off from Showtime’s acclaimed Ray Donovan. This early version aimed to deliver a prequel narrative, exploring the origins of Liev Schreiber’s iconic character through the lens of another powerful fixer family. The Donovans would have tracked the fortunes and betrayals of Europe’s most elite fixers, emphasizing family loyalty and the risky world of high-profile clients. Though the core focus on family and criminal intrigue remained, the vision soon evolved, and the creative team, including Guy Ritchie and show creator Ronan Bennett, saw potential in constructing a standalone saga rather than extending an established franchise.
This shift led to MobLand, a tense and compelling tale centered around a heated feud between two crime families in London. The show features Tom Hardy as Harry Da Souza, serving as the “fixer” for the powerful Harrigan family, with Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren completing a star-studded lineup. Their characters navigate a landscape filled with betrayal, alliances, and relentless ambition, mirroring the complexity that defined the original Ray Donovan narrative, while offering audiences a fresh perspective free from franchise expectations.
Pierce Brosnan recalled in an interview with the Television Academy how the project first arrived on his desk in the summer of 2024, then titled The Donovans.
Brosnan revealed. He noted the attraction lay in the script and the freedom that came when the series shifted focus, enabling both him and Mirren to
Guy Ritchie, already acclaimed for his singular vision and energetic storytelling, had been attached to the series as director and executive producer from its earliest phase. Notably, Ritchie was not involved with the original Ray Donovan series, yet his entry into television marked a significant development. Announced in February 2024 as a Paramount Plus original, The Donovans underwent further transformation throughout the year, at one point retitled The Associates, before ultimately landing on the MobLand concept. The decision to steer away from the spin-off route was finalized in October 2024, freeing Ritchie and Bennett to craft a more distinct and daring story.
While the internal reasons for the creative pivot have not been publicly disclosed, it is evident that both Ritchie and Bennett believed MobLand could benefit from a narrative and stylistic independence not confined by franchise continuity. This move allowed them to adopt a grittier, more brutal tone, unbound by preconceived expectations attached to Ray Donovan’s established universe. The chemistry between Ritchie’s sharp direction, Bennett’s writing, and the cast’s dynamic performances has shaped MobLand into an intense exploration of power and family in the criminal underworld.
The Harrigans, as portrayed in MobLand, have quickly emerged as one of the boldest crime families depicted on television, drawing comparisons to other legendary TV clans. The series centers on their determination to maintain dominance in a world of illicit enterprise, while rivals and shifting alliances pose constant threats. Betrayal and intrigue drive the plot forward, consistently keeping viewers on edge and eager for the next twist. The strong parallels to Ray Donovan are balanced by new layers of unpredictability and emotionality, sharpening MobLand’s identity as a distinct and formidable entry among contemporary crime dramas.
MobLand’s debut on Paramount Plus has been notable for its immediate success. According to industry reports, the premiere episode achieved one of the strongest debuts in the streaming service’s recent history. The transition from a limited series spin-off to a standalone drama has been met with enthusiasm from audiences and critics alike, prompting discussion of a possible renewal for a second season. This reception underscores how a bold creative shift can yield significant rewards, especially when studios invest trust in their creative teams and allow visionaries like Guy Ritchie to lead the way.
The excitement surrounding Guy Ritchie’s MobLand reflects a broader trend in television, where established filmmakers and original projects are reshaping what audiences expect from streaming platforms. Paramount Plus’s embrace of this new direction demonstrates how a willingness to adapt and innovate can redefine a network’s identity while delivering powerful, emotionally charged narratives that resonate with both veteran crime drama fans and new viewers. The series’ future now hinges on whether it continues to build on this momentum and influence future production strategies at Paramount Plus and beyond.
With MobLand, Guy Ritchie has proven his ability to craft engaging, unpredictable stories that stand on their own. As audiences stream the latest crime saga, many will be watching closely to see if this risk pays off with lasting success and perhaps even more original stories from Ritchie and his creative partners. In the meantime, the show’s early triumph is a testament to what can be achieved when ambition and artistry come together, leaving viewers and industry insiders alike eager for what’s next.
