Dame Helen Mirren would return to work with Tom Hardy "in a f****** heartbeat".
The 80-year-old actress has shown her support for her "amazing" MobLand co-star amid reports he is facing the axe from the show due to clashes with producers, and insisted she doesn't care about how different actors approach their work, so long as the end result is good.
Asked by Variety if she would want to continue working with Tom, she said at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy: “Absolutely. In a f****** heartbeat.
“I love Tom. I think he’s the most amazing actor. I’ve always loved him on screen and different actors have different processes. I’ve learned over the years that some people get things fast and other people took time.
“As long as what’s on the screen is fantastic, I’m totally chilled with whatever, however anyone gets there. Tom is a very special person. He’s got the kindest heart… I think he’s absolutely remarkable. So my support of him is genuine and heartfelt.”
Helen "really hopes" Tom will be returning to join her and Piers Brosnan in the third series of the show.
She added: “We also have a very great writer, Jez Butterworth, a powerful, fantastic writer. So I really hope it’s going to happen.
" When you have these sort of very powerful artistic people working together, the creative process is very challenging and people can get their knickers in a twist, as we say.
“But yes, we will go forward, absolutely, and it’ll be even better.”
It was claimed last month that producers had grown tired of the way Tom, who plays fixer Harry DeSouza, behaved on set.
The Puck newsletter reported: “I’m told Paramount recently opted not to pick up Hardy for season three after his clashes with producers Jez Butterworth and David Glasser, among others, during the recent production of season two.
"Hardy was apparently late to set a bunch, constantly asked to give notes on scripts, attempted to change dialogue, and expressed his displeasure that a series initially built around him was increasingly becoming an ensemble showcase for Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and other co-stars."
But shortly afterwards, it was claimed work was underway behind the scenes to bring the 48-year-old star back to the project.
A source told Variety: “Tom was not fired, the door is not closed for Season 3 and things are being worked through creatively."
