Pierce Brosnan, 73, Flaunts Shirtless Look in MobLand

offered a glimpse at his shirtless physique in the first look at MobLand's second series, weeks after 's 'unexpected' exit from the show.

Frequent rowing with directors over a delay in filming the third series of the Paramount+ drama had led to the actor, who plays fixer Harry Da Souza, walking away after its second run.

Despite fears that a second run could be delayed following claims that bosses were planning a hasty re-write in the wake of Tom's exit, a new trailer released on Thursday confirmed the show will return on September 18. 

New teaser images also showed Pierce, who plays the ruthless patriarch Conrad Harrigan, is being patched up by his wife Maeve following a nasty scuffle.

Once again the couple find themselves at the centre of rivalries that threaten to topple their empire.

The ten-episode second season will see the Harrigans struggle to show a unified front as rising rivals threaten their fractured criminal empire.

Harry Da Souza, their street-smart and formidable 'fixer' who is played by Tom, must walk a dangerous tightrope when tensions within the family intensify. 

As violence spills into every corner of their lives, loyalties snap, safety proves temporary, and the battle for power leaves no room for mercy. 

Tom has departed his role on MobLand after filming its second season, but The Mail On Sunday shared last month that bosses are rethinking the decision following huge backlash from viewers.

The streaming giant has made a bid to win him back after being left stunned, sources say, by the criticism levelled at them for allowing Hardy, 48, to exit.

It is understood that meetings with executives took place, but sources say Hardy is yet to agree to return to MobLand.

One said: 'Tom is a star, the audience love him but the bosses underestimated that. They didn't realise the backlash they would get. It has been extraordinary, the vibe they are getting is that there is no MobLand if there is no Tom.

'The whole narrative has changed from them believing they can carry on without him to a huge crisis. It has taken this for them to realise how loved Tom is by the viewers.'

Hardy is said to be 'dead set' on not working beyond the end of this year as he and his actress wife, Charlotte Riley, 44, plan to take several years out to spend with their two children, aged 11 and six.

Hardy is said to have been infuriated by the production constantly being pushed back because of script-writing delays, threatening his family plans.

His MobLand character Harry, a fixer who works for the Harrigan crime family led by Conrad and his wife Maeve, was not written out at the end of series two.

Production has been in limbo for at least a month while the streaming giant tries to negotiate with Hardy to come to an agreement.

It was previously reported that plans to hastily change the ending of MobLand's second series to write in Tom's departure could cost 'millions.'

'The role is pivotal to the story, so he can't just disappear in season three — there has to be some sort of explanation for his absence,' an insider told The Sun. 

'That means they will have to alter the end of the second series, which has only just been made — and that will cost millions in extra time spent developing, filming and editing.

'It's not clear if Tom will even return to film any new scenes, or whether the producers are just going to have to be incredibly creative in tying up the second series. And then they've got to start thinking about the overwhelming prospect of delivering series three.'

This newspaper revealed earlier this year that relations between Dame Helen and Hardy had become 'extremely strained' during the filming for the second series, which wrapped in March.

Sources said Dame Helen had become 'increasingly frustrated' at Hardy's attitude and took a dim view of his alleged tardiness when it came to turning up on set.

Hardy's dismissal from MobLand was first reported in The Puck newsletter, with claims reading: 'I'm told Paramount recently opted not to pick up Hardy for season three.'

The report blamed 'clashes with producers Jez Butterworth and David Glasser, among others, during the recent production of season two'.

The Puck newsletter, written by former editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter Matthew Belloni, claims producers could not continue to deal with Hardy's alleged behaviour.

Hardy did not respond when asked by this newspaper about the claims of being late.

Despite the claims, Helen went on to show her support for her co-star, posting a snap of Tom on Instagram with the caption: 'Love you now and always.'

It is not the first time Tom has been involved in tensions on set - and not clear yet how he will be written out of MobLand.

There were apparently rows while filming Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015, in which he fought with his co-star Charlize.

Reports at the time claimed the actors were involved in screaming rows over his lateness.