MobLand’s Mandeep Dhillon on Seraphina’s Fashion Evolution
On any given day in Hampstead, you would possibly discover a model of British actress Mandeep Dhillon strolling round in what she cleverly describes as her “saggy and swaggy” apparel. There’s additionally a model of the 35-year-old the place her look is stylish and understated, “cool and costly.” But maybe her favourite vogue persona is enjoying Seraphina Harrigan on the Paramount+ sequence MobLand. As the daughter of ruthless crime boss Conrad Harrigan (Pierce Brosnan), Seraphina takes energy dressing to an entire new stage. “I believe I’d raid all of it,” Dhillon tells Who What Wear of her character’s luxe wardrobe, that includes notable items from the likes of Burberry, Gucci, and Saint Laurent. We’d must agree.
With the present’s second season underway, it isn’t simply Seraphina’s wardrobe that is massively stepping up—shifting from the demure tailoring of final season to sultry, ’90s-inspired seems. It’s her drive too. Things are getting messy within the Harrigan family, and with energy up for grabs, the favourite daughter is lastly taking issues into her personal palms. But the query is, At what price?
Dhillon was particularly excited to step again into Seraphina’s stilettos for season 2. It’s not day-after-day you get to embody a “boss bitch” who is not afraid to take up house and reduce somebody down. We caught up with the actress throughout a break from filming her subsequent challenge to debate Seraphina’s journey, what it is like going toe-to-toe with Helen Mirren, and the costumes of her goals.
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Thank you on your time as we speak. I’m excited to dive into season 2 of MobLand. They solely despatched us the primary 4 episodes, which is kind of the tease.
I’ve solely seen episodes 1 to 4 as effectively, so we’re in the identical boat. It’s humorous as a result of after I watched episodes 1 to 4, I used to be like, “Oh my god, that is so good.” And then I thought of what’s to return, and I used to be like, “Fuck, it simply will get higher and higher.”
I can not wait! Before we go there, I wish to take it again to the start. What concerning the sequence actually appealed to you at the moment in your profession?
It got here on the excellent time, really. I simply completed doing CSI in America. I had simply moved again to London, and my companion on the time was making me watch all of those gangster motion pictures. I used to be at all times that particular person. Famously, each time somebody has mentioned, “Oh, Godfather, or have you ever watched Scarface?” I used to be like, “No, I’ve by no means seen it.” So I went on a bizarre binge of watching all of those epic gangster motion pictures. And then this landed in my inbox, and I used to be like, “Huh.”
The universe works in mysterious methods.
Literally. I bear in mind studying episode 1, and really, I went up for Harry’s spouse, [Jan]. I bear in mind doing the tape and understanding I’m not proper for this function. But I appreciated the script, so [I] put myself on tape anyway. I despatched the tape to my staff, and it is humorous. I like vehicles. I like driving. I’m such a bit lady racer. In one other global community, I’m like Lewis Hamilton, the Temu model. But you understand Harry’s driver, Zosia? I learn that half and was like, “I actually wish to play a job the place I get to drive a automotive actually quick.” I mentioned to my staff, “I’m not proper for this function. Here’s my tape. I like the script. I like vehicles. Can you ask in the event that they’ve made a suggestion out for Zosia?”
[I] heard nothing, and two weeks later, all of them jumped on a name with me, and so they have been like, “Hey, Mandeep, so you’ve got been supplied Seraphina Harrigan in MobLand.” And I used to be like, “Who the fuck is Seraphina?” And they have been like, “We’re gonna ship you three episodes. You’ve acquired 24 hours to make your choice.” I began studying it, and I clearly noticed that Pierce performs my dad. Helen Mirren is my stepmom, and Tom Hardy is the household fixer. And then I spotted, oh, she’s a Harrigan. And then I began seeing the stuff that was popping out of her mouth. It wasn’t even 24 hours. I used to be like, “I say sure!”
How did working with Guy Ritchie problem you as an actor?
First of all, it was nice. He’s nice, and I fairly admire his bouginess. He is at all times dressed very pretty. I actually admire that. What I actually loved, which really ought to have scared me, is how in your toes you’re. Learn your traces, after all, but in addition, do not be too connected to them. In sequence 1, there was that scene in a café the place my brother calls me fairly match. That complete scene was modified that morning. Guy got here into my trailer, and he was like, “Look, the scene is not working for me. Let’s change it. Let’s rewrite it.” So we did. And then he involves set, and he is like, “I’m gonna simply sit right here throwing stuff at you. Go together with me. You could be a bit tough, however are you up for it?” And I mentioned, “Yeah, go on then.” That’s the place all of that nice magic got here from. I like that personally. It’s not your customary manner of working, and I imagine that that is the place you do get the magic.
Do you could have a favourite Guy Ritchie movie?
I watched Snatch—beloved that. I’ve not seen Lock, Stock [and Two Smoking Barrels] but, however everybody retains telling me to look at that. Oh, and I had seen [Netflix‘s] The Gentlemen as effectively. Obviously, that is TV. That’s totally different. To be sincere, the gangstery stuff that I used to be being made to look at was like GoodFellas. It was very American-based. Scarface is so good.
Were you nervous or intimidated in any respect to step on set with the likes of Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Tom Hardy, and Paddy Considine?
Luckily, no. I do not know if this can be a good factor, however the best way I consider everyone seems to be we’re all equal. We’re all people. We’re all born. We’re all gonna die. We’re people and people who find themselves nice and have been round for such a very long time and are profitable. But I additionally would have the identical stage of respect for a trainer or a fireman or a nurse. That’s simply how I’m. So fortunately, no, I wasn’t intimidated. Also, I’d carried out the work. I’d labored with my appearing coach, and he or she’d give me suggestions if I used to be to really feel intimidated or if I ever do have a state of affairs the place I’m on set and it’s somebody the place I’m like, “Oh my God.” But I do not actually get like that. I’d solely be like that with Beyoncé or Rihanna or Chance the Rapper. Not actually with actors. Also a testomony to them, they’re simply very regular individuals and beautiful individuals, and so they love their job. I like Pierce with all my coronary heart. Helen is an absolute dream. It’s a very enjoyable setting.
Let’s discuss Mirren as a result of Maeve is at all times plotting Seraphina’s demise. They don’t love one another. How is it enjoying that dynamic together with her?
Oh, it is so sensible. I completely find it irresistible. What’s very nice about Helen is she loves her job, and we had an entire factor firstly of sequence 1 the place the primary day I met her, she gave me such an enormous hug and mentioned, “Darling, I do not imply a factor of it, okay?” And I mentioned, “Helen, deliver it on!” And from that second, we all know as quickly as they are saying “Action,” we’re on it. And it is a lot enjoyable. If we begin improvising on the finish, she will get so excited. She’s a correct actress within the sense of, whenever you improv, she lights up. She makes house for everybody to be one of the best performers that they are often. I believe scenes like that, whenever you’ve acquired beef with somebody, are one of the best.
What makes Seraphina such an pleasant character to play?
Oh, her garments. Seraphina has a sure fragrance that I exploit for her. All my characters do. Every single character, I guarantee that I’ve a sure odor for them, which is kind of humorous as a result of the job I’m on proper now, I’m so carried out with this fricking odor. Like, why did I select this? However, I’d carried out it on objective as a result of with Seraphina, she’s very womanly. She’s fierce. She’s sensible. She clothes so nice. She takes care of herself very effectively. And the character that I’m enjoying proper now simply does not. So I used to be like, “You cannot be sporting your bougie stuff for this.”
What is Seraphina’s scent?
There are two. The first one is the Maison Francis [Kurkdjian], who usually do Baccarat Rouge. I do some of the À La Rose. I spray that after which Louis Vuitton Coeur Battant. I combine these two collectively; that is Seraphina.
So good! Back to what you’re keen on about Seraphina.
Obviously the outfits, and likewise, I simply love that she takes up house. She is just not afraid to stroll right into a room the place she is aware of individuals hate her. If you consider the dynamic with Maeve and the truth that she is the illegitimate daughter, she’s additionally the one brown-skin particular person within the household that we should acknowledge. You would assume which may make her shrink back, but it surely doesn’t. In reality, she’s like, “Yeah, mate, that is my energy.” She doesn’t care, and I like that about her. She’s a badass, boss bitch. She’s sharp together with her tongue. She can reduce somebody down.
Coming into season 2, Seraphina is indebted to Kat McAllister for saving her life. What have been you excited to discover by way of increasing on that dynamic?
The complete concept of energy. Seraphina seems at Kat… Obviously, she saved her life, however earlier than Kat saved her life, she at all times knew who Kat was. Seraphina’s the kind of particular person the place she’s acquired her dad’s ambition and DNA operating by way of her. She’s very bold and really power-hungry. She’s additionally very sensible, and he or she’s on this place the place she’s like, “I wish to be on the prime. I wish to be the place Kat is. How the hell am I gonna try this?” So after I was studying the scripts this time, I used to be like, “Oh God, I like that she’s enjoying with hearth with all the pieces massively.” But I additionally love that she’s not afraid to go to the highest and study from them too.
You have talked concerning the emotional weight of filming season 1 due to the trauma Seraphina faces. You can see she’s extra hardened this season after practically dealing with dying. How was that for you by way of the shift in her perspective?
I at all times must ask myself about my characters, and what is the why behind their why? You can assume that you simply’re doing one thing, however why are you doing that? … In season 1, my why behind the why was validation. It was, “Hey, have a look at me. I’m a Harrigan. Accept me.” Season 2 may be very totally different. It’s not validation in any respect. Now, [the why is] I’ll by no means ever be in a spot the place somebody has a chainsaw to my neck ever once more. And I’ll do completely something and all the pieces I must do to guarantee that by no means occurs to me. For now, she’s come again, and he or she’s holding no prisoners, and he or she has an iciness to her. Don’t get me fallacious. She loves her dad, and he or she loves her household. But she’s additionally conscious that the ship is sinking, and he or she ain’t gonna sink with it. There’s no bloody manner that she’s gonna go down with it. So yeah, I actually needed to come again colder, come again fiercer, and simply not give a shit. Even Maeve does not trouble her this season.
You talked earlier about Seraphina’s wardrobe. Tell me about constructing Seraphina’s vogue persona and the way it’s developed from season 1 to season 2.
You know, it was attention-grabbing. When I first went to my costume becoming, I used to be loving it as a result of it felt extra on the gentlemanly facet of how they designed their garments. Seraphina was sporting these energy fits, and now and again, she placed on a skirt or a bit costume, however even the clothes have been extra demure. They have been Victoria Beckham clothes, very elegant. However, season 2, I got here in and noticed the rack, and I used to be like, “Okay, cool. We are turning up the fucking warmth.” The most important factor for [Seraphina this season], which actually makes me giggle, is intercourse. She’s sexier. And not for the male’s consideration, both. It’s really to piss Maeve off.
It’s great as a result of she is aware of that Maeve not solely hates her due to the truth that she’s the results of a one-night stand, however she additionally is aware of that Maeve hates her as a result of she is that this lovely girl that Conrad adores. She’s additionally a reminder of the gorgeous girl that Conrad had [an affair] with. I bear in mind we’d attempt all these totally different coats, and I like my Burberry coat that I wore on the finish of season 1. But this season, there’s this leather-based fur jacket that I’ve acquired happening, and truthfully, after I put it on, I used to be like, “Oh yeah.” She’s extra womanly this season. She’s actually standing in that great female energy.
If you can step inside her wardrobe, what are you taking?
Quite lots—I’m not gonna lie. I’m taking the leather-based jacket with the fur. I’m additionally taking the Burberry coat, which I’ve had my eye on for some time. I’m taking all of her heels. I’m taking her Roland Mouret skirts, 100%. Oh god, there was this very nice classic Gucci costume that we tried. I additionally wish to take the stuff that did not make it [in the show]. There have been fairly a number of ’90s throwback YSL clothes as effectively. I might take rather a lot in the event that they let me. I believe I’d raid all of it.
So you’d say you and Seraphina are fairly alike by way of your fashion?
Yes and no. I wish to take all of it; nonetheless, I’m in all probability a extra easy, stylish model of her. She’s extra attractive, smoky eye, glamour, and hazard. Whereas I’m in all probability throwing [on] an outfit [that’s] stylish, cool, elegant, wealthy, costly, however simply not doing an excessive amount of. But additionally on the flip facet, for those who noticed me proper now, you would be like, “Are you okay?” There’s additionally a model of me when I’m strolling round Hampstead the place I’m in my saggy and swaggy.
Catch new episodes of MobLand, streaming on Paramount+.
Photographer: Jack Waterlot
Stylist: Sophie Pera
Hairstylist: Sven Bayerbach
Makeup Artist: Bea Sweet
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