Helen Mirren broke her silence after multiple outlets reported co-star Tom Hardy would not be returning to “MobLand” amid tension on set.
The Oscar-winning actress shared a photo Thursday of Hardy on Instagram with the text, “I love you now and always helen,” written over his image.
Mirren’s post seemingly declared support for Hardy after Puck reported the famous actor would not be making a return to the series and The Hollywood Reporter’s sources claimed he “refused to come out of his trailer for hours at a time” while on set.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 27: Tom Hardy attends the Global Premiere of “MobLand” at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on March 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for Paramount Plus)
The Hollywood Reporter’s sources claimed that during filming of the second season Hardy “kept the cast waiting,” calling his move “a power play.”
“Keeping Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren and others waiting is career suicide, I would wager,” the source told the outlet.
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 29: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Helen Mirren walks the runway during the Le Défilé. Liberté, Egalité, Sororité “You’re Worth It” L’Oréal Paris Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week at Hotel de Ville on September 29, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 31: Tom Hardy attends the “MobLand” New York Premiere at SVA Theater on March 31, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
A report published May 28 by Variety referenced sources who claimed Hardy insisted on re-writing his script. The individuals claimed the series’ co-creator, Jez Butterworth, delivered scripts late, at times just one week prior to shooting, which impeded Hardy’s ability to rehearse.
“Tom likes to prepare,” one of the sources told the outlet.
Speaking about Hardy’s requests to adjust the script, a source told Variety that “often his ideas are very sound.”
“And he wants them taken seriously. Jez kind of hasn’t got the time to deal with those notes, so it becomes problematic.”
A production source told Variety that Hardy was “difficult,” before noting, “but he’s a movie star.”
This isn’t the first time Mirren publicly declared her love for Hardy and thew her support behind him. Daily Mail published and later removed a report claiming Mirren was frustrated by Hardy’s alleged tardiness and refusal to cooperate on set.
Shortly after the publication of that report, she shared a post that began with “Things I love.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 21: Helen Mirren attends the 19th annual L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Celebration at NeueHouse Hollywood on November 21, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 27: Keith Cox, President, Development and Production, Paramount Network & TV Land, David Glasser, Dame Helen Mirren, Guy Ritchie, Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Chris McCarthy, President and CEO, MTV Entertainment Group attend the Global Premiere of “MobLand” at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on March 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for Paramount Plus)
She continued, “Tom Hardy for his brilliance on screen” and the listed “his dedication off screen” as well as “his good heart” and “especially the HardyHugs I get when onset with him which is not nearly enough in my opinion.”
Mirren captioned her post with the words, “And now you know!” (RELATED: Tom Hardy Reportedly Not Returning To ‘Mobland’)
Outlets suggesting Mirren was put off by Hardy’s on-set behavior were put in line within the same post in which the famous actress wrote “bad journalism” in the category of things she “hates.”