From the erratic mob boss Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders to the Harrigans’ ruthless fixer in MobLand – Tom Hardy sure knows how to play an unforgettable criminal. Before Guy Ritchie’s Paramount+ gangster series, Tom played both Ronnie and Reggie Kray in the superb crime drama Legend. Don’t tell Helen Mirren, but in our opinion, it’s even more watchable than MobLand – and it’s available to stream tonight.
The film, which first hit cinemas in 2015, charts the twins’ meteoric rise and fall as infamous East End gangsters who monopolised the 1960s London nightclub scene. It’s glamorous, dark and offers a glimpse into the mythology that surrounds the mobsters. And, how can anyone resist not one, but two Tom Hardys?
In the mood for some gritty gangster action? Here’s everything you need to know about Legend, including the plot, cast and how to watch it tonight.
What is Legend about?
The 2015 biographical thriller Legend, is adapted from John Pearson’s book The Profession Of Violence: The Rise And Fall Of The Kray Twins. It’s a great glimpse into the world of the notorious mobsters who ruled London’s East End during the 1950s and 1960s. Tom Hardy impressively plays both Ronnie and Reggie Kray, and made each of the brothers very distinctive.
The drama follows the identical twins as they rise through London’s criminal underworld. Reggie is more polished and business-minded, while Ronnie is volatile, violent and openly gay in the film – which was applauded at the time. Together, they build a criminal empire, but Ronnie’s increasingly erratic behaviour threatens to bring it all crashing down.
Reggie falls in love with Frances Shea (Emily Browning), and the film is mainly told through her perspective. It’s a doomed love story as much as it’s a gangster film. She’s desperate for Reggie to get on the straight and narrow, but his loyalty to his brother and their criminal empire makes that increasingly difficult.
Originally, Hardy was only offered the role of Reggie, but Tom had different ideas. ‘I wanted to play both of them from the start and I couldn’t see one from the other,’ he said at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2015, as per The Guardian’s reporting. ‘I enjoyed the script, and I enjoyed the characters as one. If I had to choose one and walk away from the table, I would have gone with Ron because there’s more on the smorgasbord to play with.’
Who’s in the cast of Legend?
The cast of Legend includes:
- Tom Hardy (Peaky Blinders) as Reggie and Ronnie Kray
- Emily Browning (Sucker Punch) as Frances Shea (Reggie’s wife)
- Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who) as Detective Leonard ‘Nipper’ Read
- David Thewlis (Sherlock & Daughter) as Leslie Payne
- Taron Egerton (Black Bird) as Edward ‘Mad Teddy’ Smith
- Paul Anderson (Top Boy) as Albert Donoghue
- Chazz Palminteri (A Bronx Tale) as Angelo Bruno
- Tara Fitzgerald (Signora Volpe) as Mrs. Shea
- Patrick Duffy (Dallas) as Timi Yuro
- Paul Bettany (VisionQuest) as Charlie Richardson
Is Legend any good?
Yes – if you love stylish gangster dramas such as Peaky Blinders and MobLand, this is the perfect film for you. The Krays have been the source of public fascination for decades, and this drama helps to strip away some of the mythology surrounding them. Tom also helps to show a more human side of the violent and bloodthirsty men, while his portrayal of the tumultuous Ronnie steals the show. Emily Browning is also exceptional as Frances. Her character’s isolation and mistreatment exposes the darker side of the glitz and glamour of the expensive cars, clothes and parties.
Is there a trailer for Legend?
Yes – you can watch the full trailer for Legend below.
How can I watch Legend?
You can watch Legend now on Prime Video.
What other Tom Hardy dramas can I watch now?
For another gangster drama, we’d suggest Peaky Blinders. Tom takes on one of his most memorable roles as Alfie Solomons, a Jewish mob boss in this gangster family epic. Alfie becomes an uneasy ally of Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy). Peaky Blinders is available to watch now onBBC iPlayer. For another gritty series, try Taboo. Tom plays businessman James Delaney (Tom Hardy) who returns to the UK after 12 years in Africa on the hunt for revenge from the powerful East India Company after his father’s death. Taboo is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.