Helen Mirren breaks silence following reports of tension behind the scenes of Paramount+ crime drama MobLandwhere she stars alongside Tom Hardy.
The Oscar winner took to Instagram on Thursday to post a photo of Hardy with text on his face reading, “I love you now and always Helen.”
The brief but precise message came just hours after conflicting reports surfaced about Hardy’s status on the show.
Earlier this week, Puck announced that Hardy had been fired after season two, citing alleged lateness issues and long periods spent in his trailer.
A source said The Hollywood Reporter that Hardy “refused to come out of his trailer for hours.”
However, Variety retorted that Hardy “hasn’t been fired” and that “the door is not closed on season 3”, noting that creative discussions are underway.
Rumors of tension between Hardy and Mirren were also discussed.
A source said Variety that although Hardy’s lateness was “frustrating” to Mirren, there was no animosity.
“I know she told him a few times, ‘Come on, Tom, we’ve been here for ages, let’s go,’ but she never seemed to be anti Tom,” the source explained.
Another source added: “Helen is not that type of person. If she had a problem with Tom she would have told him to his face.”
Mirren’s message of support echoes a similar message she shared in December, when she praised Hardy’s “on-screen genius,” “off-screen dedication” and “good heart,” while cheekily listing “bad journalism” among the things she doesn’t like.
Hardy plays a fixer for a London crime family led by Mirren’s character in MobLand.
Season two has finished but has not yet premiered on Paramount+.
