McMafia: BBC manages to sell Russian mob drama to Russia
The Russian Embassy in London previously criticised the show
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The BBC has sold Russian mob drama McMafia to a Russian TV station, despite the country’s authorities having previously criticised the series.
When McMafia was initially broadcast earlier this year, the Russian Embassy in London claimed the BBC was portraying “Britain as a playground for Russian gangsters” and spreading “clibchés”.
According to Variety, though, the free Russian TV-channel Pyatnitsa! (translated to Friday!) has picked up the series, which will broadcast later this year.
McMafia centres on an exiled Russian’s son named Alex Godman — played by War & Peace’s James Norton — who struggles to live an honest life due to his parent’s mafia connections. The eight-part series was created by Hossein Amini and James Watkins, the latter of whom directed all episodes.
The general director of Friday, Nikolay Kartozia, said in a statement: “I’ve been a big fan of the BBC for almost 20 years. Their news, documentaries and dramas are all of the highest quality, so now it is a great honour that BBC Studios has selected Friday as a partner. It means that we are going the right way.”
Friday broadcasts numerous BBC productions, including the Benedict Cumberbatch-starring Sherlock, and the documentaries Blue Planet 2 and Planet Earth 2.
BBC Studios’ general manager for Central and Eastern Europe, Salim Mukaddam, added: “We hope this is the beginning of a long and successful partnership between Friday and BBC Studios.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments