MobLand’s rise alongside the ever-expanding Yellowstone franchise presents a fascinating study in contrasting crime drama storytelling.

Tom Hardy has struck gold with MobLand, a British crime saga that has stealthily scaled Paramount+’s global streaming ladder to claim the #2 spot as of July 11, 2025. And it’s surprisingly surpassing Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone, which sits at #3 (per Flixpatrol). This isn’t merely a case of star power; MobLand offers a gritty narrative of warring crime families, anchored by Hardy’s portrayal of Harry Da Souza, the fixer caught in the crossfire of the Harrigan dynasty.

Created by Ronan Bennett, whose fingerprints are familiar from the groundbreaking Top Boy, MobLand is a meticulously crafted story drawing on authentic, lived experiences of gang culture, far removed from the sprawling American ranch drama that dominates Paramount+.

The show’s star-studded ensemble includes Pierce Brosnan as crime lord Conrad Harrigan, Helen Mirren as matriarch Maeve Harrigan, and Paddy Considine as Kevin Harrigan, whose partnership with Da Souza deepens the narrative complexity.

MobLand is boasting “more than 26 million viewers” and an encouraging 75% approval on Rotten Tomatoes. While Yellowstone continues to command a loyal audience and expand its universe, including an upcoming Beth and Rip spinoff bringing back Finn Little as Carter, MobLand has shown an unexpected ability to carve its own distinct niche.

Tom Hardy’s MobLand Secures Season 2 as Streaming Figures Surface

Tom Hardy’s MobLand | Credits: Paramount Network
Yes, Paramount+ has officially greenlit a second season of MobLand following its breakthrough performance (per Radio Times). Harry Da Souza, Hardy’s character, is not just a cog in the machine but a man balancing razor-thin alliances amidst chaos.

Jez Butterworth, reflecting on his first foray into television writing, acknowledged initial reluctance but praised Paramount’s “bold creative vision and razor-sharp strategic insight” for changing his outlook. To quote him:

TV was a brand new world for me and I was reluctant to commit to a TV overall, but Chris, David [Glasser], and the teams at Paramount and 101 Studios completely changed my perspective with their bold creative vision and razor-sharp strategic insight.

His enthusiasm for the continuation signals confidence that MobLand will deepen its exploration of the criminal underworld, likely expanding its rich cast.

Yellowstone Beth & Rip Spinoff Welcomes Back Finn Little as Carter

Carter in Yellowstone | Credits: Paramount Network

Meanwhile, the Yellowstone empire, masterminded by Taylor Sheridan, continues to grow with the Beth and Rip spinoff officially adding Finn Little’s Carter as a series regular.

His return promises continuity for fans invested in the evolving dynamics of the Dutton family saga. The series, anchored by Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton and Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler, will remain on the original’s present-day timeline, offering an intimate look at the ranch’s next generation and the scars that haunt them.

Carter’s backstory as a troubled teen who found a surrogate family in Beth and Rip adds emotional depth to the new series. Little’s previous performances alongside heavyweights like Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie reinforce his rising stature.

The expansion of the Yellowstone universe is part of a broader strategy: with prequels like 1883 and 1923 concluded and new offshoots such as The Madison and Y: Marshals underway, Paramount+ is betting heavily on Sheridan’s sprawling narrative web.

Which of these gritty worlds will ultimately claim supremacy on Paramount+? Are viewers ready to embrace the raw British crime landscape over sprawling Western epics?