McMafia episode 1 preview: James Norton of Grantchester is back on TV
We will say this — before really knowing a whole lot else about the show, we wondered if this was going to be a series about a man running a McDonald’s restaurant that secretly doubled as some sort of drug ring. As it turns out, not so much. This is actually more of a story about a man named Alex Godman (Norton), a hedge fund manager with a significant Russian family background, who eventually finds himself roped into a larger crime operation. It’s a dangerous thriller that shows just how easily someone can get roped into a life they never thought possible. Things will start one way on this show before starting to spiral out of control.
CarterMatt has the full McMafia episode 1 trailer below, and to go along with that is the official (and lengthy) BBC summary for Sunday’s episode:
Russian crime boss Vadim Kalyagin (Merab Ninidze) meets with his Indian associate Benny Chopra (Atul Kale) to discuss their control of Mumbai’s main port. As Vadim leaves the meeting, his vehicle is blown up by a car bomb. It’s not long before his allies have the name of the man believed to be behind the assassination attempt…
Alex Godman, a successful young hedge fund manager, joins his family at a charity gala – his father Dimitri (Aleksey Serebryakov), a depressed Russian exile, his socialite mother Oksana (Maria Shukshina), his beloved and larger-than-life uncle Boris (David Dencik), his wayward sister Katya (Faye Marsay), and his British girlfriend Rebecca (Juliet Rylance).
When his hedge fund comes under fire, following rumours that they’ve been trading in embargoed Russian stocks, investors start to withdraw their money in droves. Alex tries to find new clients, but struggles against the prejudices that stem from his Russian background.
When Alex approaches his uncle Boris for help he mentions a wealthy Israeli friend of his, a shipping magnate named Semiyon Kleiman (David Strathairn). Alex gratefully agrees to a meeting, but it soon becomes clear that Semiyon, his money and his intentions are not as legitimate as they first seemed…
When will McMafia episode 1 air in America?
Think later in 2018. This is a co-production similar to The Night Manager where AMC will eventually broadcast the episodes Stateside. There’s a lot to be intrigued about with this show, and hopefully some of the tabloid rumors revolving around Norton being the next James Bond don’t distract all that much from it.
What do you want to see on McMafia episode 1, and how much are you planning to watch because of Norton? Be sure to share right now in the comments!
Meanwhile, like CarterMatt on Facebook in the event you want to score some additional insight on this show right away. (Photo: BBC.)