Why this BBC drama starring James Norton will be 2018's answer to The Night Manager

'Sooner or later they come for you'

If there's one reason to look forward to cold, dark, post-Christmas January, it's the arrival of new BBC One show McMafia. A pacy thriller starring James Norton, take our word for it when we say it's going to be your new TV obsession.

What is McMafia about?

The series is actually based on a book, McMafia by Misha Glenny, and has been adapted for television by Drive's Hossein Amini and James Watkins.

Taking the lead in his second January TV splash (remember the brilliant War & Peace?) James Norton heads up the series as wealthy businessman Alex Godman, a British-raised Russian who ends up being sucked into his family's life of crime, a vast international underworld that stretches from Moscow to India. Filming locations for the drama included Croatia, Qatar, Prague, Cairo and Tel Aviv.

https://youtu.be/OfU0a-b6Iqs

Who stars in McMafia?

Norton is joined in the cast by Juliet Rylance - Mark Rylance's daughter - who plays his girlfriend Rebecca. Game of Thrones' Faye Marsay will play Norton's sister Katya and David Dencik will be his uncle Boris.

When does McMafia start?

The show kicks off on New Year's Day on BBC One, with the second episode landing on Tuesday 2nd January. The ideal way to stave off your NYE hangover? Definitely.