As “MobLand” heads into season 2, the dialogue remains crisp, new characters lend intriguing plot twists and Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren continue to expertly play the most compelling couple on series television.
“The great thing about the relationship between Conrad and Maeve is that, yes, you know, they can go out and commit murder and mayhem, but when they’re at home, they are this absolutely mundane, ordinary, old-time married couple,” says Mirren, who plays a cunning killer in the series that follows a crime family in London’s seedy underworld.
In Season 1, audiences were introduced to Conrad Harrigan (Pierce Brosnan) a ruthless crime boss, his silver-haired femme fatale Maeve (Helen Mirren), their children and the family’s trusted fixer Harry Da Souza who cleans up bodies and delivers threats. Played to perfection by Tom Hardy.
With its emphasis on contemporary family life, it represented a modern evolution of the classic gangster tale. Riddled with themes of power, betrayal, family loyalty, and moral ambiguity, it followed the family as they battled to reign in London’s fentanyl trade.
After an explosive end to Season 1, which included a showdown between their rival the Stevenson family, the series, which has an ensemble cast of colorful criminals that include British actress Jasmine Jobson, who plays Harry’s loyal ally, picks up with a full-scale gang war where the Harrigans are now fighting anyone threatening their power.
Though their war with Stevensons has come to a close, allowing for a power vacuum for London’s supply of fentanyl, the family once known for their loyalty has never been more divided. Conrad, his wife Maeve and their children are fueled by infighting and betrayal.
“Going into season 2, Conrad is really a fractured man, a man who is dealing with his own mortality,” shares Brosnan. “His mind is beginning to be affected by something unknown, that he doesn’t really want to have to deal with this season. He’s like a trapped spider in a bottle trying to find his way out and each way he turns, there’s no exit. He is dealing with the fear of death. He is a man of a certain age and a certain time. He has an intoxication with power and is trying to hold on that power. This season there will be surprises.”
There are also the shifting alliances within the Harrigan camp as the children Seraphina (Mandeep Dhillon) and Kevin (Paddy Considine) try to stake a claim to the throne while Harry, who is trying to keep both sides from completely losing their mind, is juggling to stay neutral.
Rebellion and retribution are rife as the family gain enemies both inside and outside of the family with the addition of a new drug lord in town. From blood-splattered wars, vicious maulings to massive explosions the tone stays buoyant even when the stakes are grim.
Poetic, and incredibly authentic, the series which is filled with witty banter, British rap, and rock, drug deals and turf wars sees Johnny Flynn join the cast as Frankie, who along with Kat McAllister (Janet McTeer) and detective Colin Tattersall (Toby Jones) have plans to expand their criminal conspiracy.
“Every single character is complex and interesting,” adds Mirren. Season 2 of “MobLand” premieres Friday, Sept. 18, on Paramount +
By Samantha Ofole-Prince
