As the dust settles in Montana following the conclusion of “Yellowstone’s” final season, fans eagerly anticipate the future of the Dutton family. While the promise of a yet-to-be-named spin-off featuring Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser reprising their roles as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, alongside the upcoming prequel series “1944” (following the highly successful “1923”), offers hope, a distinct void remains in the weekly schedules of viewers accustomed to Taylor Sheridan’s compelling dramas. Fortunately, a powerful contender has emerged from across the Atlantic, offering a perfect stand-in that requires no change in streaming services.

Debuting on Paramount+, “MobLand” presents a formidable ensemble cast led by Tom Hardy as Harry Da Souza, the unflappable muscle and clean-up specialist for the Harrigan family. This crime syndicate is helmed by Conrad and Maeve Harrigan, portrayed by screen legends Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren (who also boasts a connection to the Yellowstone universe, having appeared in “1923”). While drawing comparisons to a phenomenon like “Yellowstone” so early in its run is a bold claim, “MobLand” not only provides ample narrative to captivate audiences in the interim but also lays a strong foundation for a potential television empire of its own.

At its heart, “MobLand” mirrors “Yellowstone” through its portrayal of a powerful, often ruthless, family dynasty. Just as the Duttons’ ranching endeavors frequently took a backseat to escalating violence, criminal dominance, and clandestine trips to the infamous “train station,” “MobLand” makes no attempt to sugarcoat the Harrigans’ way of life. This London-based crime family is defined by its unwavering focus on asserting and maintaining its power throughout the city. Crafted by Ronan Bennett, known for his work on the critically acclaimed British drama “Top Boy,” and featuring Guy Ritchie as executive producer, the series centers on a family dynamic that strikingly reflects that of the Duttons. This resemblance is evident in both the intricate familial hierarchy and the caliber of talent bringing these characters to life. Much like Kevin Costner anchored the Dutton clan as the formidable John Dutton, “MobLand” features Pierce Brosnan as the cold-hearted and quick-tempered Conrad Harrigan, a patriarch willing to cross any line to keep his family at the top. Helen Mirren delivers a fiery performance as his equally formidable wife, Maeve, whose influence is always felt. Adding to the family dynamic, Paddy Considine, formerly of “House of the Dragon,” plays middle son Kevin Harrigan, striving to maintain peace between warring factions, reminiscent of Jamie Dutton’s early struggles to navigate complex family loyalties. And just as John Dutton relied on a ranch hand willing to undertake the family’s off-the-books business, the Harrigans too possess a dedicated cleaner, one whose chilling effectiveness rivals even the most terrifying figures from the Yellowstone universe.

A standout element throughout “Yellowstone’s” acclaimed run has been Cole Hauser’s portrayal of Rip Wheeler, the Dutton family’s fiercely loyal fixer—a son to John Dutton in all but name. Rip’s evolution into an antihero and arguably the show’s MVP made the prospect of a spin-off centered on him and Beth Dutton entirely compelling. In “MobLand,” Harry Da Souza emerges as Rip’s transatlantic counterpart. Tom Hardy’s inherent star power, showcased in his intense performances as Charles Bronson, Bane, Alfie Solomon in “Peaky Blinders,” and Walker in the recent “Havoc,” lends Harry an immediate, understated gravitas. Harry’s menace, however, stems not from overt aggression but from a chilling reservation. He is a contained powder keg, meticulously planning every contingency. His quiet intensity and capacity for blackmail establish him as an indispensable, albeit not blood-bound, member of the Harrigan family. Like Rip, Harry serves as the son the family head never had, a man molded by a troubled past into the reliable and blunt instrument he is today. He is the swift, silent hammer that ensures the Harrigans maintain their grip on London’s criminal underworld, all while brandishing a distinctively cool wardrobe.

Just as “Yellowstone” resurrected the appeal of hats, horses, and cowboy boots, “MobLand” cultivates a signature dress code for its characters that could prove equally iconic. Reflecting the style prevalent in Guy Ritchie’s gangster films and television series, the distinct London aesthetic is integral to “MobLand’s” identity. Here, Dodge Chargers, Stetsons, and duster coats are exchanged for Land Rovers, flat caps, and Barbour jackets, imbuing every character with an undeniable coolness, establishing an aesthetic somewhere between the sophisticated power plays of “Succession” and the gritty charm of “The Gentlemen.” These lethal characters require a fitting backdrop, and much like the Dutton ranch became a character in its own right, “MobLand” features sprawling country homes that serve as critical settings for the family’s violent world. These stately rooms are where plots are hatched, traitors are dispatched, and the formidable Maeve stirs the pot while her husband attempts to steer the ship. In an alternate universe, Beth Dutton and Maeve Harrigan might even find common ground over a shared drink, as their respective families carry out brutal acts against those who dare to challenge their power. Indeed, “MobLand” appears poised to push the boundaries of violence even further. While “Yellowstone” has its infamous “train station,” “MobLand” introduces chilling alternatives like shipping containers by the River Thames and suitcases concealing far more than just luggage.

For those missing “Yellowstone’s” brutal and unforgiving nature, the Harrigans’ brand of justice provides ample satisfaction. The series opens with the immediate death of an opposing family member, setting a tone where blood flows freely and bodies are discovered in unimaginably gruesome conditions, consistently calling Harry into action to clean up the mess. Eyewitnesses face torture, loved ones are assassinated, and Harry’s most potent weapon is often a chilling, hard stare used to ensure compliance. In these moments of calculated brutality, Tom Hardy offers a nuanced performance, portraying a silent menace rather than the more imposing, chest-thumping characters he’s previously embodied. It is within this orchestrated violence that Hardy displays traits akin to Cole Hauser’s heavy-handed family enforcer, while also building palpable anticipation for the inevitable moment when his own cool composure might finally shatter. So far, the show maintains a reserved yet utterly ruthless protagonist, whose fuse has yet to fully ignite, but who remains deeply entrenched in the bloodshed that defines the series’ ongoing narrative. The timing of this potential breaking point remains unknown, but brief flashbacks connecting Harry’s younger years with Kevin, coupled with stories of Conrad’s rise to power, hint at “MobLand’s” potential to transcend its current boundaries and emulate “Yellowstone’s” successful model of building a sprawling television franchise.

Though still in its infancy, “MobLand” possesses a rich, embedded history, initially conceived as a UK-based spin-off of the renowned fixer series “Ray Donovan.” While Ronan Bennett’s new narrative has branched in its own compelling direction, it retains immense potential for expansion. Similar to “Yellowstone,” this new series has existing story details ripe for exploration, offering the possibility of delving deeper into the Harrigans’ rise to power or the past of the enigmatic man so deeply bound to them. Just as viewers witnessed the origins of the Duttons, Pierce Brosnan’s fiery patriarch has already alluded to how he established the Harrigan name and the sacrifices it entailed. Should “MobLand” achieve sufficient success, audiences might well see flashbacks detailing Conrad’s early criminal endeavors and how he forged his family empire. As for Harry, without revealing spoilers, harrowing glimpses into how he and Considine’s Kevin crossed paths could easily set the stage for a prequel series focused on Da Souza’s formative years, much like Rip Wheeler’s past was meticulously analyzed and became an integral part of the “Yellowstone” saga. These exciting opportunities can only be realized if “MobLand” achieves the success it so clearly deserves. For now, as we await our return to the desolate, deadly world of the Duttons, settling in with the Harrigans and their top fixer provides a compelling and satisfying alternative to keep us thoroughly occupied.