James Norton Joins McMafia Cast

James Norton has been cast as the lead role in McMafia; a new crime drama commissioned for BBC.

Norton will take on the role of Alex Godman, the English-raised son of Russian exiles with a mafia past. Godman has spent his life trying to escape the shadow of that criminal past, but when his family's past murderously returns to threaten him and his girlfriend Rebecca, Godman is drawn into the criminal world and forced to confront his values to protect those he loves.

McMafia is inspired by Misha Glenny's bestselling book of the same title which looks at global crime and its far-reaching influence.

The eight-part series will chart Godman's journey through a labyrinth of international criminals, money launderers, corrupt politicians and ruthless intelligence agencies as he finds himself embroiled in an underworld that stretches from London to Moscow, Dubai to Mumbai, Africa to the Americas. What begins as a story of survival and revenge becomes a tale of a man's struggle against the lures of corruption in the modern world and in himself.

The writing team behind the series will be led by Hossein Amini and James Watkins, and includes David Farr (The Night Manager, Spooks), Peter Harness (Doctor Who, Wallander) and Laurence Coriat (Wonderland, Me Without You).

McMafia is executively produced by Nick Marston, Dixie Linder, Ben Hall, and Robyn Slovo for Cuba Pictures, Matthew Read for BBC One and Hossein Amini, James Watkins and Misha Glenny. Paul Ritchie is Producer.

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said: "James Norton is at the top of his game and I know he will do justice to the riveting McMafia created by Hoss Amini and James Watkins."

Nick Marston, CEO, Cuba Pictures, added: "We are thrilled to have James Norton play Alex. Like so many others, we have been enjoying his tremendous performances over the past few years, so it is great to have the opportunity to work with him. We are also delighted that James Watkins is going to be directing the whole series. As a co-creator of the show, these terrific scripts could not be in better hands."

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP)