First look image: See James Norton in BBC One drama McMafia

Maria Shukshina attends funeral in new BBC image

BBC One has released a first look image for McMafia, a new eight-part global thriller starring James Norton (War & Peace, Happy Valley).

Inspired by Misha Glenny’s best-selling book, McMafia sees Norton play Alex Godman, the English-raised son of Russian exiles with a mafia history, who has spent his life trying to escape the shadow of that criminal past, building his own legitimate business and forging a life with his girlfriend Rebecca (Juliet Rylance – The Knick).

The image (above) shows Norton and Maria Shukshina (Yolki 3) as Alex’s mother Oksana, at a family funeral. When his family’s past murderously returns to threaten them, Alex is forced to confront his values to protect those he loves and struggle against the lures of corruption.

The cast also stars David Strathairn (The Bourne Ultimatum), Faye Marsay (Game Of Thrones), Aleksey Serebryakov (Leviathan).

McMafia is a co-production between BBC, AMC and Cuba Pictures, in association with Twickenham Studios. The series is created by Hossein Amini (Drive) and James Watkins (The Woman In Black).

McMafia is currently filming in London before it moves to Croatia.