During production of the Paramount+ crime drama MobLand, Guy Ritchie directed accent choices in MobLand series by encouraging Pierce Brosnan to embrace a pronounced Irish accent for his character, despite initial expectations of a London-based dialect. The decision, revealed after the season’s conclusion on June 1, has ignited discussion among both viewers and critics regarding the authenticity and impact of Brosnan’s portrayal.
Cast and Characters: Shaping the Show’s Unique Dynamic
MobLand, produced by Guy Ritchie, centers around the Harrigan crime family’s efforts to maintain their grip on London’s criminal underworld. The first season stars Tom Hardy as Harry Da Souza—the family’s fixer—and features Pierce Brosnan as Conrad Harrigan alongside Helen Mirren, each drawing attention for their performance choices. The cast’s collaboration, including the dynamic between Helen Mirren and Brosnan, contributed to an ensemble that audiences found both compelling and divisive.
Viewer Reaction: The Accent Debate
Brosnan’s Irish accent prompted a strong reaction from social media, with viewers puzzling over the exaggerated delivery. One user wrote,
“Pierce Brosnan’s accent almost makes MobLand unwatchable,”
—X user. The question of why such a pronounced Irish accent was employed, especially since Brosnan himself is Irish, became a flashpoint for debate online.
Pierce Brosnan Details the Accent Decision
Brosnan explained that he originally thought he would use a north or south London accent, aligning with the Harrigan family’s origins. Instead, Guy Ritchie shifted plans during production, urging Brosnan to speak in his native brogue.
“In his shoot-from-the-hip style, with great bravado, he said, ‘Go Irish. Don’t worry about it. We’ll sort it out on the day. Put it out of your mind,’”
—Pierce Brosnan, Actor. This direction came with little rehearsal, as Brosnan describes arriving to set with only one prior scene read-through.
Helen Mirren also participated in similar dialect work for her roles, with Brosnan recalling,
“She called me up, and she said, ‘I hear you’re doing an Irish accent.’ She was doing Irish on [Yellowstone prequel] 1923. Helen is very, very nimble on her feet, and she jumped in. We both flew together.”
—Pierce Brosnan, Actor.
On Set Experience and Ensemble Energy
The atmosphere among cast members was described as spontaneous and collaborative. Brosnan noted the lack of extensive read-throughs or rehearsals, highlighting a unique creative process:
“It was palpable on day one,”
—Pierce Brosnan, Actor. He recounted,
“I spoke to Ritchie last summer. Five weeks later, I show up on the set first day. We don’t have read-throughs. We had one rehearsal of the scene. It’s my first day. Tom Hardy, myself, and Guy said, ‘more Irish.’”
—Pierce Brosnan, Actor.
Brosnan’s choice to settle on a Kerry accent was influenced by memories of his father. Guy Ritchie encouraged this performance, saying,
“Guy just said, ‘Go mad. Got it?’ That was it,”
—Pierce Brosnan, Actor, which set the tone for an unpredictable and free-flowing dynamic throughout the season.
Brosnan emphasized the freedom given to the ensemble, stating,
“Everyone knew what they wanted to do. Everyone was given free rein to just play, and we all knew each other’s style. Helen and I had worked together. Tom is one of those great charismatic presences on screen. We never discussed the parts. And I thought, ‘Fuck it. If you’re going to start working like this, then I’m free. I’m free. I can do anything I wish to do, whatever comes out of my mouth.’”
—Pierce Brosnan, Actor.
Critical Response and Impact on the Show’s Appeal
The series received mixed feedback, with an NME review stating,
“For all the laugh-out-loud moments and intriguing plot lines, it’s hard to believe Guy Ritchie is still rolling out the same old schtick. It’s as well made a version of this show as you could expect but it’s nothing to get excited about. Lock, Stock feels like a very long time ago indeed.”
—NME Review. Critics also took note of Helen Mirren’s accent, adding,
“There’s also been an attempt to create some compelling female characters this time around, even if it’s hard to tell exactly what accent Helen Mirren is attempting (we think it’s Irish).”
—NME Review.
Looking Ahead: Debate Continues Over Directorial Choices
Guy Ritchie’s insistence on a distinctive Irish accent for MobLand has left audiences divided, but also highlights his penchant for bold creative control. With strong performances from key names like Pierce Brosnan, Tom Hardy, and Helen Mirren, the show’s unusual approach to character speech and improvisational energy remains a subject for fans and critics. Whether this directorial style will influence the tone of future seasons or impact the legacy of MobLand within the crime drama genre remains to be seen.
