MobLand: Are the Harrigans and Stevensons Based on Real Crime Families?

Paramount+’s crime drama series, ‘MobLand,’ follows the war that erupts between two crime families in London. The Harrigans and the Stevensons have been at odds with each other for a long time, but they have also managed to find their own space within the criminal underworld so as not to clash with one another. However, with the Harrigans planning to expand and the sudden and mysterious disappearance of a Stevenson, things come to a head between the two of them, and the Harrigan family fixer, Harry Da Souza, is caught between them. While the criminal aspect takes center stage, the story is made more intriguing by the relatability factor of the families that go to war with each other.

The Harrigans and the Stevensons are Entirely Fictional Creations

‘MobLand’ is a fictional drama series created by Ronan Bennett. It was initially intended to serve as an English spin-off of the American series, ‘Ray Donovan,’ which follows the misadventures of the eponymous fixer. While Ray Donovan’s work involves him with celebrity clients, ‘MobLand’ delves more into the criminal side of things by focusing on the blood feud between the two fictional crime families. This allows the story to get grittier and more dangerous. However, more than the rivalry between the families, the drama within the Harrigan family gives more weight to the plot.

While all the characters in the show are entirely fictional, when it came to crafting the complex nature of the Harrigan family, the creators looked towards the Bard and his creations to borrow important elements. ‘Macbeth,’ particularly, emerges as a major inspiration, especially when it comes to Conrad and Maeve Harrigan, the family patriarch and matriarch. From the first episode, we see the strength of their bond, which is tested as things get out of hand over the course of ten episodes. The manipulating ways of Maeve also bring her closer to the character of Lady Macbeth, especially in the way we see her working in the background but having a conclusive say in the decisions that are made for the entire family. In the same vein, we see Conrad’s ever-inflating ambition that forces his entire family to carry the consequences of his actions.

The Shakespearean nature of the characters is also reflected in the tragedy of their situations without compromising the ruthlessness that is required of them. The entire family structure, from the unruly grandson to the illegitimate daughter, is shaken up by the backstabbing and scheming that sees each character working for their own interests. Still, despite the many differences between them and the issues that they all need to deal with, when it comes to the overall good of the family, the Harrigans stand together, which is extremely necessary as the war with the Stevensons only seems to get worse. Through these complicated dynamics, especially between the parents and children, the show gives us a realistic portrayal of a family in turmoil, making the entire thing even more compelling to watch.