Helen Mirren was in Sicily this week, where she was the recipient of a Taormina Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award.
The celebrated actress opened up about her relationship with “MobLand” co-star Tom Hardy, the actor who found himself the subject of much discussion the other week as unconfirmed reports emerged that the actor was going to be fired due to unprofessional behaviour on set.
At the time, she expressed support for Hardy on Instagram, with the trades subsequently indicating discussions were underway to find a way for Hardy to come back.
Now, speaking at the fest, she was asked by Variety whether she would continue to work with Hardy. Mirren didn’t mince words, telling Variety:
“Absolutely. In a f–king heartbeat. I love Tom, I think he’s the most amazing actor. Different actors have different processes. I’ve learnt over the years that some people get to things faster. As long as what’s on the screen is fantastic, I’m totally chilled with however someone gets there. Tom is a very special person. I think he’s absolutely remarkable. My support of him is genuine and heartfelt.”
Mirren adds that she hopes a third season of the series goes ahead, saying that some creative disagreements are all part of making this sort of thing:
“When you have powerful artistic people working together, the creative process is challenging. People will get their knickers in a twist as we say. We will go forward, absolutely, and it will be even better.”
Mirren recently filmed Anton Corbjin’s “A Talent for Murder,” a film adaptation of the stage playh “Switzerland,” in which she plays Ripley author Patricia Highsmith opposite Alden Ehrenrich as Edward Ridgeway who is pleading with her to write one last Ripley novel.
