Tom Hardy could be set for MobLand return as Paramount bosses look to lure estranged star back following viewer backlash

MobLand heart-throb Tom Hardy has met with bosses of the hit TV show after they were forced to rethink his departure following a viewer backlash, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Frequent rowing with directors over a delay in filming the third series of the Paramount+ drama had led to the actor, who plays fixer Harry Da Souza, walking away.

Now the streaming giant has made a bid to win him back after being left stunned, sources say, by the criticism levelled at them for allowing Hardy, 48, to exit.

It is understood that meetings with executives took place within the past fortnight but sources say Hardy is yet to agree to return to MobLand, which also stars Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan.

One said: 'Tom is a star, the audience love him but the bosses underestimated that. They didn't realise the backlash they would get. It has been extraordinary, the vibe they are getting is that there is no MobLand if there is no Tom.

'The whole narrative has changed from them believing they can carry on without him to a huge crisis. It has taken this for them to realise how loved Tom is by the viewers.'

Hardy is said to be 'dead set' on not working beyond the end of this year as he and his actress wife, Charlotte Riley, 44, plan to take several years out to spend with their two children, aged 11 and six.

Hardy is said to have been infuriated by the production constantly being pushed back because of script-writing delays, threatening his family plans.

His MobLand character Harry, a fixer who works for the Harrigan crime family led by Conrad (Brosnan) and his wife Maeve (Dame Helen), was not written out at the end of series two.

Production has been in limbo for at least a month while the streaming giant tries to negotiate with Hardy to come to an agreement.

This newspaper revealed earlier this year that relations between Dame Helen and Hardy had become 'extremely strained' during the filming for the second series, which wrapped in March.

Sources said Dame Helen had become 'increasingly frustrated' at Hardy's attitude and took a dim view of his alleged tardiness when it came to turning up on set.

Hardy did not respond when asked by this newspaper about the claims of being late.