Explosive Filming for Mobland's Second Series Lights Up London Skyline
London's night sky was dramatically illuminated by a spectacular fireball on Sunday evening as director Guy Ritchie orchestrated a major pyrotechnic stunt for the upcoming second series of the hit Paramount+ drama Mobland. The controlled explosion tore through a warehouse near Newham, close to the River Thames, sending towering flames and dense smoke billowing into the air and momentarily alarming local residents.
Locals Stunned by Dramatic Film Set Explosion
Emergency services were placed on standby as filming commenced for the gritty gangster series, which stars Tom Hardy and Dame Helen Mirren. One astonished eyewitness recounted the startling moment, stating: 'We heard this massive bang and the whole sky lit up orange. For a second we thought something had gone terribly wrong - then we realised it was a film set. It was absolutely mental.'
The warehouse, which offers views of The O2 arena, became the centrepiece of an elaborate filming operation. Crews utilised cameras mounted on cranes to capture the perfect shot of the explosive sequence, which reportedly features Hardy's character, crime fixer Harry De Souza, wielding a shotgun before the structure erupts.
Behind-the-Scenes Tensions Between Co-Stars Emerge
While the series depicts fictional warfare between London crime families, sources indicate a real-life personal conflict is simmering between the show's leading stars. Insiders on the Mobland set have revealed that relations between Dame Helen Mirren, 80, and Tom Hardy, 48, have become 'extremely strained' during production of the second series.
According to reports, Dame Helen, who portrays formidable matriarch Maeve Harrigan, is growing 'increasingly frustrated' with Hardy's attitude and conduct on set. One source elaborated: 'Dame Helen is a joy, she is a total pro and she has worked with so many people over the years. But she is getting increasingly frustrated with Tom and his attitude. He can be late to filming too and that is annoying for Dame Helen, who is extremely professional and disciplined.'
The tension appears to have become quite personal, with crew members observing that Dame Helen no longer appears as content when filming scenes alongside her co-star. Another source suggested: 'It feels like Tom is winding her up. There is much chatter that he swaggers around like he's the king. He is very, very arrogant. It's a fantastic show and everyone loves working on it. It's such a shame there is this undertone.'
Anticipation Builds for Mobland's Second Season
The gangster drama, which launched on Paramount+ in April, has garnered a respectable 78 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and impressed viewers with its ten-episode first season. The storyline for the upcoming series remains closely guarded, but it is expected to continue directly from the bloody cliffhanger conclusion of season one.
The show's synopsis outlines its core conflict: 'Power is up for grabs as two warring crime families clash in a battle that threatens to topple empires. In the crossfire stands Harry Da Souza, a street-smart 'fixer' who knows too well where loyalties lie when opposing forces collide.'
While the on-screen drama promises explosive action, the emerging reports of off-screen friction between two of Britain's most acclaimed actors add an unexpected layer of intrigue to the production. A representative for Tom Hardy did not respond to requests for comment regarding the alleged tensions.
