AMC and BBC Worldwide announced today a new co-production deal for McMafia, a drama series set in the international world of organized crime starring James Norton (Happy Valley, War & Peace). The series is inspired by Misha Glenny's 2008 best-selling book of the same name. Production has begun in London.
McMafia charts Alex Godman's (Norton) journey as he is drawn deeper and deeper into the criminal world. He is the English-raised son of Russian exiles with a mafia history, who has spent his life trying to escape the shadow of that criminal past, building his own legitimate business and forging a life with his girlfriend Rebecca. But when his family's past murderously returns to threaten them, Alex is drawn into the criminal world and forced to confront his values to protect those he loves.
The cast also includes David Strathairn (The Bourne Ultimatum) as Semiyon Kleiman, a well-connected Israeli businessman with deeper secrets; Juliet Rylance (The Knick) as Rebecca Harper, Alex's strong-willed and morally upright girlfriend; Aleksey Serebryakov (The Method) as Dimitri, Alex's father and the exiled head of the Russian mafia; Maria Shukshina (Yolki 3) as Oksana, Alex's socialite mother; and Faye Marsay (Game of Thrones) as Katya, Alex's sister.
Hossein Amini and James Watkins created the drama, with Watkins set to direct all eight episodes. The writing team will also include David Farr, Peter Harness and Laurence Coriat. Executive producers are Amini, Watkins, Nick Marston, Dixie Linder, Ben Hall, Robyn Slovo, Matthew Read and Misha Glenny. AMC Studios, BBC Worldwide, Cuba Pictures and Twickenham Studios will produce.
"McMafia is simply one of those shows that comes along at exactly the right moment," said Joel Stillerman, President of Original Programming and Development, AMC and SundanceTV. "Misha Glenny's book reminds us that underneath the headlines of today what we used to think of as organized crime is something completely different. It's a global operation, with tentacles in every corner of our world. The creative team behind McMafia has brilliantly used the essence of this source material to write a compelling and relevant piece of television. This is superbly talented cast, led by James Norton and we are excited to watch them bring to life these complex and multi-dimensional characters. We are also thrilled to be in partnership with the BBC, and Cuba Pictures, on this epic drama."
"McMafia shares the ambition and sophistication of The Godfather, now for TV audiences," adds Matt Forde, EVP Content Production, Sales and Distribution, BBC Worldwide North America. "The fusion between AMC and BBC - two names synonymous with quality and Cuba Pictures, one of the hottest indies in the UK - is sure to deliver a first class crime thriller on a massive scale."
