MobLand faced a major threat a few months ago when reports surfaced of a behind-the-scenes squabble between leading star Tom Hardy and executive producer Jez Butterworth. In the aftermath, Hardy was reportedly booted from the series before being officially called back following heavy fan backlash. That development led many to believe a third chapter was practically a certainty. Unfortunately, new reports about MobLand‘s future suggest otherwise.
After Season 2’s tumultuous production finally ended, reports emerged that Paramount had enough faith in the series to give the go-ahead for Season 3’s development. This was, however, before news of the set friction came to light. Given how Season 1 overcame its share of criticism to become one of Paramount+‘s biggest shows, speculation was rife that a Season 3 renewal could come even before the second season premiered. Alas, that hasn’t happened, and the status of the series beyond Season 2 remains undecided.
A recent Deadline interview with Paramount+‘s Head of Originals, Jane Wiseman, now reveals that the streamer has yet to officially renew the series. Asked about the status of Season 3, Wiseman initially sidestepped the question by turning her attention to the upcoming season instead, saying, “Season 2 is unbelievable; it is so explosive. We just released the trailer. It’s firing on all cylinders. I’m really excited about this season.” When pressed for a more definitive answer on Season 3, however, Wiseman responded with a more certain, “We haven’t made a decision on Season 3 yet.”
‘Mobland’ Is Working Hard to Earn a Season 3 Renewal
Wiseman’s response doesn’t exactly reflect the kind of faith in the series that was previously reported. Given how Mobland has continued to chart even during its off-season, a continuation might seem like a no-brainer. Unfortunately, Paramount appears to be playing it safe for now. Season 2 premieres in a few weeks on September 18, bringing back the show’s key players as the Harrigans’ turf war with their bitter rivals intensifies. With the Season 2 finale unlikely to wrap up the story in a conclusive manner, hopefully, Mobland doesn’t become another series that leaves viewers stranded on a cliffhanger. Paramount may be waiting to see whether the controversy surrounding Hardy has any noticeable impact on viewership before making its decision on Season 3.
The studio is also doing its part to expand the show’s audience ahead of Season 2, recently announcing that Season 1 will become available to stream for free starting August 18 through Paramount+’s Free Content Hub. The rollout will expand further on August 31, when all episodes become available for free on additional platforms, including Pluto TV, Paramount+ channels on Amazon, Apple, and Roku, as well as Paramount+’s official YouTube channel. If those efforts translate into strong numbers for the new season, Paramount may have a much easier decision to make about the show’s future. For now, all eyes are on Season 2.
via Collider