McMafia

Alex Godman grew up in London trying to build an ordinary life, distancing himself from his family's past as Russian émigrés tied to organized crime. He builds a legitimate business and a steady relationship with Rebecca, but a violent event drags his relatives back into view and forces him to make hard choices. As pressures from both law enforcement and criminal networks tighten, Alex is drawn deeper into dealings he swore he would avoid, and he reevaluates the limits of loyalty, ambition, and protection without giving away major twists or outcomes.

Released in 2018, McMafia was created by Hossein Amini, James Watkins, and Misha Glenny, and directed in part by James H. Watkins. The series is adapted from Misha Glenny's non-fiction book McMafia.

The show picked up attention during awards season and received nominations that recognized its acting and production work, reflecting praise for its technical craftsmanship and ensemble performances.

McMafia helped bring the idea of globalized organized crime to mainstream TV audiences, using multiple international locations and a sleek visual style. Its title and approach encouraged wider discussions about cross-border corruption, illicit finance, and how transnational networks operate in plain sight.

Critics and viewers have tended to praise the series for strong performances, notably James Norton, and its focus on moral ambiguity and the collision between lawful business and criminal ecosystems. The storytelling emphasizes consequences and character compromise, and it holds a solid viewer rating around 7.3 out of 10 from audience votes, reflecting generally favorable reception mixed with notes about pacing and complexity.