James Norton stars in the BBC crime drama critics have called a 'thrilling watch' comparable to The Night Manager — and fans are still begging for more episodes08:27, 02 Jul 2026Less well-known than its rival crime dramas, yet equally as "thrilling", this compact series has left devoted fans clamouring for additional episodes.‌Spanning eight episodes, this highly regarded TV series charts the perils of life entrenched in organised crime, plunging viewers headfirst into the murky world of the Russian mafia.‌McMafia features James Norton as Alex Godman, the son of a Russian mafia boss residing in London, while his father schemes to break free from the organisation. As his family's sinister past is dragged into the open, he finds himself with little option but to confront a dangerous underworld of syndicates, money laundering and corrupt political figures.‌Critic James Croot offered his assessment of the show, writing: "A thrilling watch that's filled with provocative gestures, portentous moments and the same gripping tension that made fellow recent British series like Bodyguard and The Night Manager so binge-worthy."It first aired in January 2018, and as fans eagerly awaited further instalments to the compelling storyline, they were left permanently disappointed, as it never progressed beyond its eight-episode run.‌One devoted fan took to Rotten Tomatoes to express their admiration for the miniseries, writing: "McMafia was the best and smartest TV show about money laundering I've ever seen on TV. The writing was well researched; the writers knew their subject matter."The scripts were very good, and James Norton's performance was awesome. I hope Norton is strongly considered for the role of James Bond before he gets too old."Alongside a commanding Norton, McMafia stars Juliet Rylance as Alex's fiancée, with Aleksey Serebryakov playing his father. They're joined on screen by David Strathairn, Merab Ninidze and Faye Marsay, though it's Norton's performance that has viewers singing its praises.‌Fans have highlighted the way the actor "disappeared" into the character, which is "fascinating to watch". He's certainly no stranger to crime dramas, having played the likes of Tommy Lee Royce in the acclaimed Happy Valley and Sidney Chambers in the detective series Grantchester.Another admirer of McMafia shared: "Well-put together show with a strong plot that constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat. Props for casting real Russian actors with authentic accents! Disappointing that there are only 8 episodes in the very first season, I want more!".Article continues belowThough they never received it. The series was never recommissioned for a second season, despite being warmly received at the time of its debut, and whatever plans were in motion were shelved by the BBC.After years of uncertainty, Misha Glenny, whose book formed the basis for the show's storyline, confirmed in 2025 "with great sadness" that McMafia had been axed and came "close to filming" the second series on two occasions. The reason behind its cancellation remains a mystery.All eight episodes of McMafia are available to stream now for free on BBC iPlayer.