Tom Hardy Ditches Superheroes for Gritty Crime Role in ‘MobLand’ – Here’s Why He’s Swearing Again

After spending nearly seven years immersed in the world of superheroes, Tom Hardy is embracing a grittier, more grounded role in the new crime drama series MobLand. In an exclusive interview with Extra’s Jenny Taft, Hardy, along with co-star Paddy Considine, revealed what drew them to the project and shared behind-the-scenes insights into their roles and the star-studded cast.

For Hardy, the appeal of MobLand was simple but compelling. “I wanted to play Harry because I wanted to come back after doing seven years of superheroes with something that was a bit more gritty and back to, I suppose, swearing,” Hardy admitted, with a laugh. “I just wanted to swear.” Hardy’s humor highlighted his desire to return to a genre that allowed him to step away from the larger-than-life roles he’d been playing in films like Venom and the Mad Max series.

However, MobLand is much more than just a gritty crime drama. Hardy found himself intrigued by his character, Harry, who is presented not as a typical gangster but as a “consigliere” or a diplomat within the criminal underworld. “What I liked about Harry was that he was presented as a consigliere or a diplomat or a fixer, as opposed to sort of somebody who runs around and shoots people and bullies them,” Hardy explained. “I was intrigued by the concept of diplomatic relations and how to present that in the world of a gangster show.” This nuance in his character offered Hardy a chance to explore a different side of the crime genre, one focused on diplomacy and strategy rather than brute force.

For Considine, the opportunity to work with Hardy and the star-studded cast was a major selling point. He noted that his decision to join MobLand was solidified after learning that Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, and Guy Ritchie were involved. “I just thought, ‘Well, you don’t walk away from that,’” Considine said, emphasizing how rare such an ensemble cast is. He also found the potential for his character, Kevin, to evolve over the course of the series exciting. “It was the whole thing for me. It was, like, the chance to work with Tom on something long-term,” he added.

The admiration between the cast members is mutual. Hardy shared a deep respect for his fellow actors, particularly Brosnan, whom he has admired since their shared time at drama school. “I went to the same drama school as Pierce, so I’ve long been aware of him from a student, as somebody who entered the workplace before they were famous and how they, sort of, operated at school,” Hardy said. He went on to praise Brosnan’s acting talent, describing him as “brilliant” and “graceful,” with “a huge range.” Hardy also had high praise for Mirren, calling her work “incredible” and acknowledging the immense legacy she has built over her career.

Considine echoed these sentiments, admiring Mirren’s natural ease in her performances. “Helen has an ease about what she does that I kind of envy,” he remarked. The chemistry between the two actors was evident, and Considine recounted a humorous and memorable moment involving Mirren on set. “I remember we shot a scene and I went in, came in the house, and I go, ‘Hello, Mom,’ and I give her a kiss on the cheek,” Considine shared. “After we did the take, she came over to me and she went, ‘I think you should kiss me on the lips.’” What followed was an amusing series of exchanges, with Considine humorously adding, “There was nothing I could do about it.”

With a cast like Hardy, Considine, Brosnan, and Mirren, MobLand promises to deliver both intense drama and moments of lighthearted fun. For Hardy, the series offers a return to his gritty roots while presenting a fresh take on the gangster genre. Fans of the actor will no doubt be eager to see him step back into a world far removed from the superheroes he’s known for, and MobLand provides the perfect platform for Hardy to explore complex, multidimensional characters once again.