Helen Mirren: From Royal portraits to crime boss swagger
Alona Yadav | Mar 28, 2025, 00:30 IST
( Image credit : IANS )
Dame Helen Mirren stars in the new Paramount+ thriller 'MobLand' as Maeve Harrigan, a crime matriarch. Directed by Guy Ritchie, the series features Pierce Brosnan and Tom Hardy. Mirren describes her character as ambitious and ruthless, akin to Lady Macbeth. She emphasizes the role's complexity and her desire for challenging new roles. 'MobLand' premieres March 30.
Dame Helen Mirren has long been Hollywood royalty, but in her latest role, she's trading her regal crown for a more dangerous kind of power. In the upcoming Paramount+ thriller "MobLand," Mirren transforms into Maeve Harrigan, a scheming crime dynasty matriarch who's as comfortable wielding influence as she is sipping a martini.
Known for her Oscar-winning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II and memorable royal performances, Mirren sees surprising similarities between her past characters and this new ruthless persona. "I think of all the characters I've played, the closest I've come to Maeve was Lady Macbeth," Mirren told CNN. "She's profoundly ambitious and absolutely ruthless."
The series, co-directed by Guy Ritchie, features an impressive ensemble including Pierce Brosnan and Tom Hardy. For Mirren, Hardy and Brosnan were major draws to the project. She describes the show as "a dark soap opera" where her character operates with calculated precision.
Mirren's approach to the role goes beyond simple power dynamics. "What makes a character actually interesting is not their power, but their vulnerability," she explained, intriguingly hinting at the complexity of Maeve's character.
While she's made her mark portraying monarchs, Mirren seems ready to close that chapter. "I feel I've done all the really interesting royal roles," she remarked. Her selection process remains guided by a desire to challenge herself, always seeking roles that disrupt her previous work.
"I just love to constantly be upsetting my own cart, you know, and make life difficult for myself," Mirren said with her characteristic wit—a reminder of why she remains one of Hollywood's most dynamic performers.
"MobLand" premieres Sunday, March 30 on Paramount+, promising viewers a chance to see Mirren in a role that defies her regal reputation.
Known for her Oscar-winning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II and memorable royal performances, Mirren sees surprising similarities between her past characters and this new ruthless persona. "I think of all the characters I've played, the closest I've come to Maeve was Lady Macbeth," Mirren told CNN. "She's profoundly ambitious and absolutely ruthless."
The series, co-directed by Guy Ritchie, features an impressive ensemble including Pierce Brosnan and Tom Hardy. For Mirren, Hardy and Brosnan were major draws to the project. She describes the show as "a dark soap opera" where her character operates with calculated precision.
Mirren's approach to the role goes beyond simple power dynamics. "What makes a character actually interesting is not their power, but their vulnerability," she explained, intriguingly hinting at the complexity of Maeve's character.
While she's made her mark portraying monarchs, Mirren seems ready to close that chapter. "I feel I've done all the really interesting royal roles," she remarked. Her selection process remains guided by a desire to challenge herself, always seeking roles that disrupt her previous work.
"I just love to constantly be upsetting my own cart, you know, and make life difficult for myself," Mirren said with her characteristic wit—a reminder of why she remains one of Hollywood's most dynamic performers.
"MobLand" premieres Sunday, March 30 on Paramount+, promising viewers a chance to see Mirren in a role that defies her regal reputation.