Fans of Paddy Considine’s remarkable performance in Paramount+‘s acclaimed gritty crime drama Mobland will undoubtedly appreciate Considine’s latest role in the action comedy Deep Cover. This performance marks yet another highlight in Considine’s extensive career as an actor, writer, and director. In MobLand, he excelled as the son of a volatile Irish crime boss involved in the illicit trade of drugs and weapons in London. Portraying the often-overlooked and bitter character Kevin Harrigan, Considine delivered a nuanced and passionate performance throughout the first season, ultimately becoming one of the show’s most significant highlights with a character arc that showcased profound growth.

Paddy Considine stands out as one of the most underappreciated dramatic actors in contemporary cinema, despite having taken on several noteworthy roles recently. Among these, his portrayal of the tormented king Viserys I Targaryen in HBO’s blockbuster spinoff series of Game of Thrones, titled House of the Dragon, is perhaps the most significant and widely recognized. Similar to House of the Dragon, MobLand provided Considine with an opportunity to showcase his considerable dramatic abilities, although the comedic elements in both projects were somewhat limited for his characters. His latest film, Deep Cover, represents a refreshing shift in tone and reveals Considine’s extraordinary acting talent on a different level.

Discover How Paddy Considine’s Deep Cover Continues the Gangster Narrative Established in MobLand

Critics Are Raving About the Star-Studded British Action Comedy

Amazon Prime’s streaming comedy Deep Cover made an impressive debut with a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Although this score has slightly decreased as more critics have provided their reviews, it currently stands at an impressive 88%, accompanied by a Popcornmeter score of 81%. The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed as a trio of improvisational actors enlisted by the police to go undercover in the dangerous criminal underworld of London to infiltrate a menacing gang. Paddy Considine portrays Fly, a mid-level drug dealer, who becomes unexpectedly impressed by the trio, furthering their undercover operation.

Despite the wildly different tones, Deep Cover and MobLand share significant parallels, most notably their exploration of the seedy underbelly of drug dealers and gang warfare in contemporary London. There are interesting similarities between Considine’s character Fly and Kevin Harrigan from MobLand, as both characters occupy middle positions within their respective gangs but still command a certain level of respect. If you appreciated Considine’s performance and the storyline of MobLand, then Deep Cover should be your next watch without question.

Considine’s Performance is Essential to the Success of Both Deep Cover & MobLand

His Unmatched Ability to Seamlessly Transition Between Tones

The most compelling aspect of Considine’s acting prowess is his remarkable versatility, which is on full display in Deep Cover. Given his talent as a dramatic actor, he possesses an incredible sense of timing and can bring a unique sense of humor to his performances. In Deep Cover, he portrays his drug dealer character with a straight face, yet imbues it with an underlying absurdity that harmonizes beautifully with the comedic mishaps of the film’s three lead actors. Although Considine does not deliver the punchlines himself, he serves as a crucial support for the others, allowing their humor to shine.

In MobLand, Considine plays a vital role in maintaining the narrative’s coherence, especially when it teeters on the edge of absurdity. With Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren providing over-the-top performances (in a complimentary manner), the show occasionally risks descending into silliness rather than retaining its gritty essence. While Tom Hardy’s calm yet intense portrayal of Harry Da Souza helps redirect the narrative back into serious dramatic territory, it is Considine’s nuanced and emotional depiction of Kevin Harrigan that adds real depth and gravitas when the story demands it.

Paddy Considine is Well-Acquainted with Gangster Narratives

In addition to Deep Cover and MobLand, Considine has appeared in several other crime-related films and shows with similar narratives, such as Peaky Blinders. One of his standout performances early in his career emerged in Shane Meadows’ psychological revenge thriller Dead Man’s Shoes, which he co-wrote. In this gripping film, Considine portrays a former soldier who returns to England to exact vengeance on a gang for their maltreatment of his brother. This role is widely regarded as one of the finest performances of his career and underscores his suitability for the character in Deep Cover, despite the tonal differences between the two projects.