Tom Hardy Was 'Not Fired' From MobLand, Apparently

Tom Hardy, who starred in the first two seasons of MobLand, is still considered for season three. Reports that he was fired are contradicted by claims that the door remains open and creative solutions are being developed. Earlier reporting cited alleged issues with producer Jez Butterworth, including lateness, frequent notes, dissatisfaction with focus on Hardy’s character Harry Da Souza, and attempts to change scripts. The show is not disputing those claims, but new reporting says they were not sufficient to justify firing. Online speculation blamed co-star Helen Mirren and political views, but sources deny any such involvement. Mirren posted an Instagram image of Hardy with supportive wording.

"“Tom was not fired, the door is not closed for season three, and things are being worked through creatively,” a “source close to production” said. This runs contrary to reporting in both Puck and last week, which claimed that Hardy had been fired from the series. Both publications reported that Hardy had problems with producer Jez Butterworth. Puck added that he was late to set; gave a constant stream of notes; complained that the show wasn't focusing on his character, fixer Harry Da Souza, enough; and tried to change scripts."

"While the show is not disputing those claims, reports now say they, at the very least, were not enough to get him fired. Hardy's apparently nonexistent firing has been contentious online, with some of Hardy's fans even blaming his co-star Helen Mirren for his firing, saying she did it because he supports Palestine and she is a Zionist. None of this was ever borne out in reporting, but sources took pains to emphasize to Variety that it did not happen."

"“Helen is not that sort of person,” a source said. “If she had a problem with Tom, she would have said to his face, 'Look come on, let's just stop wasting everyone else's time and let's get on with it.' But that's probably as far as it went. She's not the sort of person who's going to get involved in a whole political situation. She just isn't.” Mirren herself took to Instagram today, posting a picture of Hardy with the words “Love you now and always helen” emblazoned on it."

Read at Vulture