BBC Worldwide has announced “a multi-territory deal” with Amazon Prime Video for McMafia, an eight part thriller starring James Norton as Alex Godman, the English-raised son of Russian exiles with a mafia history, and Maria Shukshina as his mother Oksana.
When his family’s past murderously returns to threaten them, Alex is forced to confront his values to protect those he loves. Alex 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 (Juliet Rylance).
What starts out as a story of survival and revenge becomes an epic tale of a man’s struggle against the lures of corruption in the modern world and in himself. McMafia is impressive and intimate, glamorous and gritty, global in scale and forensic in detail.
Joining Norton and Shukshina are David Strathairn (The Bourne Ultimatum, Good Night, Good Luck), Faye Marsay (Love Nina, Game Of Thrones), Juliet Rylance (The Knick, Frances Ha), Aleksey and Serebryakov (The Method, Leviathan).
Airing on BBC One in 2018, the series was inspired by Misha Glenny’s best-selling book of the same name, and created by Hossein Amini (Drive) and James Watkins (The Woman In Black). It’s co-produced by BBC, AMC and Cuba Pictures, in association with Twickenham Studios, and distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide.
Amazon’s deal will see Amazon Prime Video premiere the series in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, excluding the UK, China, US and Canada (North America).
Paul Dempsey, President Global Markets, BBC Worldwide said: “With a stellar cast, brilliant writing and huge international appeal McMafia has all the makings of a modern day classic and we’re delighted that Amazon will be taking the series to its audiences around the world.”
“McMafia is a compelling international story that our Prime Video customers around the world are going to love,” said Brad Beale, Vice President of Prime Video TV Content Acquisition.
“With a fascinating premise, talented writers and distinguished cast, McMafia will be a great addition to our stable of high quality hit shows that are available exclusively to Prime members.”
Creators Hossein Amini and James Watkins added: “McMafia is the story of our contemporary globalised world and the criminal underworlds that compete and thrive just beneath its surface.
“It is a truly international show, spanning dozens of countries, and we are thrilled that through our collaboration with Amazon we can reach the global audience it was always meant for.”
Nick Marston, CEO, Cuba Pictures, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Amazon. I don’t think there could be a better home for this project, given their global reach and the quality of programmes they are associated with.
“BBC Worldwide, who have been instrumental in brokering this deal, have been fantastically supportive and enthusiastic partners from the start.”
