Why did Bella's s*xual assault storyline in MobLand Season 1 fall flat?

Paramount+'s British crime drama series MobLand Season 1 wrapped up with an intense finale on June 1, 2025. While it did give answers to the majority of the plotlines, it left the viewers on a cliffhanger, especially as the Harrigans are plunged into a larger danger now.

For the unversed, MobLand starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, and Helen Mirren is a British crime series based on two rival families- Harrigans and Stevensons-eying for a takeover of London's crime world. MobLand delivered one of the most gritty and compelling first season-but it failed to address an important plot. Bella Harrigan's s*xual assault arc, meant to add emotional weight and complexity, instead it was largely ignored from the larger narrative. This left viewers questioning not only Bella's character arc but also how the show handled the sensitive subject.

MobLand Season 1: Bella Harrigan's assault story was underdeveloped and failed to leave an emotional impact

Bella Harrigan, portrayed by Lara Pulver, is introduced as a character with layers of secrets, pain, and unresolved trauma. Bella, the wife of Kevin Harrigan and daughter-in-law of Maeve and Conrad, initially kept a distance from her family's criminal dealings. As the season unfolds, we learn the shocking truth that Bella was s*xual abused by her father, Lord Penncock (Steven Pacey), in her childhood. In the season finale, the viewers learn that Bella devised a sting operation on her father as her revenge plot. She secured Penncock's meeting with Antoinne, a Syrian arms dealer, and set up cameras to record the deal. This led to Penncock being arrested for corruption and illegal lobbying.

This revelation should have deepened Bella's character arc that shaped her choices, but instead, it was used as a plot device that did not influence the season's core conflicts. It neither played a role in the battle between Harrigans and Stevensons, nor did it alter the Harrigan family dynamics in any way.

Bella's assault plot was highlighted in the second half of the season. Due to the late reveal, the plot failed to become a defining piece of Bella's identity. Rather than shaping her identity, it serves as justification for her scheme to bring down Penncock.

There was also a missed chance to tie Bella's past more closely to the larger conflicts within the family. As the wife of Kevin and former secret partner of Conrad, she had links to several key players in the Harrigan world. But the show chose not to use these connections to build deeper tensions or new alliances. Instead of letting Bella take a more active role in the family's power struggles- perhaps using her quest for justice as a way to challenge the male-dominated order- her story was sidelined.

Another reason why the storyline felt flat is that Bella's revenge happens too quickly and too quietly. The plot to bring down Penncock could have been a season-long thread, full of twists and moral struggles, but instead it wrapped up when Penncock was removed, and the impact on Bella is hardly explored. It felt like a rushed conclusion to what could have been a gripping personal battle.

Moving forward, MobLand has a chance to rework it. If Season 2 gives Bella more space to process her trauma and play a larger role in her family's future, the show could finally do justice to the strong yet ignored character.

For now, Bella's s*xual assault storyline remains one of MobLand's weakest links- an ignored subplot that could have been handled differently.

Also read: MobLand Season 1 finale ending explained: Kevin’s rise and Richie’s fall

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