MobLand debuted in March 2025, and portrays the story of a criminal family —The Harrigans, operating in a fictionalized underworld in London. The ruthless empire is run by Conrad Harrigan, and Maeve, portrayed by Helen Mirren, is his wife, who stands out as one of the most unpredictable and compelling characters. Her actions, particularly the revelation about Archie Hammond's body, underscore her complex role within the Harrigan family and the broader criminal landscape.
Read on to know more about how she is the most chaotic character in MobLand.
Here is why Maeve is the most chaotic character in MobLand
Maeve's intelligence and strategic thinking are central to her character. She operates secretly but influences key decisions and manipulates events to her advantage. Her manipulation of Conrad into killing Archie, based on her suspicions of him being a mole, portrays her ability to turn situations to her liking from the shadows.
Moreover, she is unpredictable, which adds to her chaotic nature. She is impulsive, which can be witnessed in her decision to order the hit on Vron Stevenson. Tipping off Richie Stevenson about Seraphina's location is another example of her recklessness. These actions disrupt the family dynamics, but also show her readiness to take radical measures to attain control.
In MobLand Episode 9, the opening scene between Conrad and Eddie is a crucial turning point. Conrad confronts Eddie, where the latter confesses Maeve's betrayal and her role in Archie's death. She was the one who anonymously tipped off law enforcement about where Archie’s corpse was buried, putting Conrad directlyoin the radar for killing Archie.
Eddie, despite being manipulated by both grandparents, clearly fears Conrad more. For Eddie, Conrad is more dangerous than Maeve. Therefore, Eddie chooses a safer side and tells him everything.
Maeve's actions are also inspired by personal motivations and a strained relationship with Conrad in MobLand

Beyond her strategic manoeuvres, Maeve's personal motivations play a significant role in her actions. Her strained relationship with Conrad, marked by infidelity and power struggles, influences her decisions. Her involvement in the family's operations is not just about maintaining power but also about asserting her position and dealing with personal grievances.
This sets Maeve apart from the "criminal mastermind" archetype. She is a calculative matriarch who is determined to flip the powerplay entirely.
There’s no clear path forward for the Harrigan family, at least not one that Maeve seems to care about. She shows no loyalty to the organisation’s survival, nor is she grooming Eddie for leadership. She is driven by revenge and not logic, and her real motive is Conrad's downfall. She has suffered years of disrespect and grief from Conrad.
Sometimes it also feels like she is acting as a catalyst for the empire's collapse, despite being part of the family. This makes her a complex character in MobLand. Her actions, while often chaotic, are driven by a sense of purpose and a desire to maintain control within the volatile world of organised crime.