James Norton leads McMafia, a gripping BBC crime drama that makes for an ideal binge-watch. First released in 2018, the series stars the House of the Dragon actor as Alex Godman, the son of a Russian mafia boss living in London.
Inspired by Misha Glenny’s book McMafia: A Journey Through the Global Criminal Underworld, the story centres on Alex’s efforts to distance himself from his family’s criminal connections and build a legitimate life of his own. However, a devastating tragedy pulls him back towards the dangerous world he had hoped to leave behind.
All eight episodes of McMafia are currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
BBC
Behind McMafia are Hossein Amini, known for Drive, and James Watkins, director of Clayface. The ensemble cast also features David Strathairn (The Expanse), Juliet Rylance (Perry Mason), Merab Ninidze (Conclave) and Aleksei Serebryakov (Leviathan).
The drama received a positive response from critics, earning a 71% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 38 reviews. Stuff NZ described it as a “thrilling watch that’s filled with provocative gestures, portentous moments and the same gripping tension” found in other “binge-worthy” dramas such as Bodyguard and The Night Manager.
The Herald also highlighted the production values and cast, writing: “McMafia has a Night Manager-level budget and a United Nations cast of actors. It oozes quality, and in Norton it has a leading man who can both act and look good in a DJ.”
Metro, meanwhile, singled out Norton’s portrayal of Alex, observing that “it takes a lot to turn a caviar-necking banker son of a Russian crime dynasty into a likeable TV hero, but Norton somehow imbues his character Alex with a sense of fundamental decency”.
BBC
The Ringer also praised the series for striking a balance between entertainment and substance, describing it as a show that “charts a middle course of briskly paced fun that feels good to watch without being too feel-good.” The review added that the drama offers a fresh approach to updating a crime genre long associated with the Cold War for a modern audience.
Digital Spy offered a similarly measured assessment in its review at the time: “If you were hoping for a feast for the senses you’d be disappointed, but if you were looking forward to a picture of modern crime then you have it.”
** McMafia is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Source: Various
