Paramount+ Makes Bold Emmy Moves for MobLand
Every year, Emmy season sees streaming giants pulling out all the stops for their flagship series. This year, Paramount+ is playing the game differently with its crime series MobLand. Instead of splitting its star power, the platform has decided to go all in: Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan are both vying for Lead Drama Actor, while Helen Mirren, known for dominating award circuits, is being positioned as a contender for Supporting Actress.
This approach isn't something you see every day. Usually, a show with two major names like Hardy and Brosnan might split them between 'lead' and 'supporting' categories, hoping to avoid internal competition and maximize the chances of each securing a nomination. But Paramount+ seems unfazed about the idea of two of its biggest stars facing off in the Lead Actor slot. The move is risky—voters sometimes split their votes when faced with co-stars in the same category, potentially helping a rival network's actor slip past both. Still, with the sheer star power of both actors, MobLand could score double nominations if Emmy voters get on board with the show and its performances.
Helen Mirren's Category Shuffle and What It Means
Then there’s Helen Mirren, always a magnet for awards, who’s moved to the Supporting Drama Actress category for the Emmys. This isn't just a nod to her acting range; it’s a calculated move by the studio. By putting Mirren in supporting, Paramount+ avoids crowding the lead categories and gives her a potentially clearer path to recognition. If Mirren ended up in lead, she would not only have to contend with her co-stars but also the overall fierce competition in the main drama actress group, often stacked with returning Emmy favorites.
Studios think long and hard about these decisions. There are rules about which actors can be submitted where, based on their screen time or prominence in the story. Sometimes, roles sit on the borderline between lead and supporting, which gives some room for maneuvering—especially when big names are involved. But what’s unusual here is the confidence in letting two major stars compete directly, an approach that trades off risk for the possibility of double exposure at the Emmy ceremony.
This reshuffling isn't just about collecting nominations but also about sending a message: MobLand is a heavyweight in the streaming landscape, with enough depth in its cast to go toe-to-toe with prestige networks in multiple categories. It signals ambition, but we’ll have to wait and see if Emmy voters embrace the show’s bold strategy, or if dividing attention between Hardy and Brosnan will dilute their chances. Either way, Paramount+ is making sure MobLand is part of the Emmy conversation this year—from every angle possible.
