Published Jun 6, 2026, 8:45 PM EDT
Dhruv is a Lead Writer in Screen Rant's New TV division. He has been consistently contributing to the website for over two years and has written thousands of articles covering streaming trends, movie/TV analysis, and pop culture breakdowns.
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After Tom Hardy's reported departure from MobLand after season 2, it is hard not to hope that he will return to continue his hit historical thriller. Tom Hardy has undoubtedly been one of the primary driving forces behind MobLand season 1's success. Even in the show's season 2, it is hard not to believe that he will snag viewers' attention with his incredible screen presence and acting forte.
However, as reports suggest, Tom Hardy will not reprise his role as Harry Da Souza in MobLand season 3. Earlier reports revealed that Hardy was fired from MobLand after his growing conflicts with producers. While there is still an air of uncertainty surrounding his return, new reports even reveal that Colin Farrell and Idris Elba have already been approached as his potential replacements.
If Tom Hardy does not eventually return for MobLand season 3, he should return to continue one of his most underrated TV shows, Taboo. The 2017 crime drama was a passion project for Hardy where he and his father, Chips Hardy, served as both creators and writers. The show was even expected to get another season, but little came out about its development after 2023.
Maybe it is time for Hardy to give the project a new lease on life.
Tom Hardy’s Alleged Exit From MobLand Might Finally Give Him Time For Taboo Season 2
In March 2017 itself, Taboo was renewed for another season after its opening season earned immense acclaim from viewers and critics. Much later, in November 2021, Steven Knight, who serves as one of the creators, even confirmed that six out of eight episodes of the show's season 2 had already been written. Its filming primarily depended on Tom Hardy's schedule.
However, Hardy seemingly got busy with bigger projects in the years that followed. While Knight later confirmed that 2023 would mark Taboo season 2's filming and producer Dean Baker also confirmed that the flywheels of its production were moving, hardly any updates about the series' development were dropped after 2023.
It seems likely that Tom Hardy's busy schedule did not allow him to commit to Taboo season 2, which seemingly stalled the series' production. After his reported departure from MobLand, though, Hardy might finally be able to find some time to return to Taboo and finish filming its season 2.
Some reports have stated that Hardy's disputes during the filming of MobLand could significantly impact his acting career. If that is true, Hardy's best bet at rebuilding momentum may not be another new franchise or blockbuster role but the long-awaited return of Taboo.
Is Taboo A Better Crime Thriller Than MobLand?
Taboo and MobLand fall under significantly different brands of crime drama storytelling. While Taboo unfolds more like a historical thriller, MobLand embraces the conventions of a modern gangster saga, with its focus on organized crime and power struggle. From an objective perspective, though, it is hard not to argue that Taboo is a far better series that even gives Hardy more room to put his acting chops on full display.
MobLand feels like a polished addition to the crime thriller genre where it rarely rises above the established conventions. While it is significantly elevated by the performances of its star-studded cast and high production value, the show hardly takes any creative risks and feels derivative in more ways than one. While it could potentially become even better in season 2, the show's first installment plays things relatively safe.
In contrast, Taboo does an incredible job of making a whole character out of its London setting by portraying it as a rotting organism that is riddled with corruption and crime. Taboo also cleverly adopts both supernatural and psychological elements that give its historical foundation a darker edge. As its name suggests, the Tom Hardy series also does not shy away from exploring uncomfortable themes and morally ambiguous territory.
Tom Hardy plays morally ambiguous characters in both MobLand and Taboo. However, Taboo's James Dalenay feels more darkly human and troubled. The added psychological layers to his characterization allow Hardy to shine as an actor. Hopefully, he will get to play the character again in Taboo season 2, regardless of what the future holds for him in MobLand.
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Taboo
Release Date 2017 - 2017-00-00
Network BBC One
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English (US) ·