The Guy Ritchie thriller MobLand might not see a second season after receiving a mixed reaction from viewers over Pierce Brosnan’s Irish accent
TV executives are weighing up axing a star-studded Guy Ritchie thriller before its second season after some fans were less than impressed with Pierce Brosnan’s “unwatchable” Irish accent, insiders are suggesting.
The series facing the axe is Paramount’s MobLand, which boasts an expensive cast of stars other than Brosnan, including Helen Mirren and Tom Hardy.
But MobLand has seen a lukewarm reception from Paramount’s viewers and critics, averaging around 76 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, with some describing it as lacking in focus and “frustrating.”
A focal point for viewer confusion, however, is Brosnan’s accent, which is bizarre considering that Ireland is the country of his birth. The Sun has reported that this will be considered by executives deciding on MobLand’s future.
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The negative backlash is a surprise miss for 56-year-old legendary director Ritchie, fresh off the huge success of his criminal comedy thriller ‘The Gentlemen’ for competing streamer Netflix.
Speaking to the publication, an insider said:
“Viewers have been mocking his Irish accent — which is ironic given he was born in Ireland and lived there till he was four years old.
“But he’s always had a cut-glass English delivery.”
Brosnan was able to reclaim his birth accent for MobLand, where he stars as the head of the Harrigan crime family, Conrad.
The insider added: “Clearly making the shift back to an Irish accent was not as smooth as expected.”
Users on social media joked about the Bond star’s accent in the series, saying: “Brosnan has to be the only person born and raised in Ireland that can’t pull off an Irish accent.”
Another added: “Brosnan’s accent almost makes MobLand unwatchable.”