McMafia

I wasn't expecting much from this. I hadn't heard anything about it and really expected it to just be a low-budget stinker. I really like shows and movies about organized crime so I gave it a shot. I was very wrong. First, don't listen to the reviews saying it's too slow. It's not. It has plenty of thrilling moments. The story is very well written and tells a story of organized crime on a GRAND scale, taking you all over the world. The acting is very good and the cinematography is gorgeous! This series is not like a James Bond flick. It actually reminds me more of THE NIGHT MANAGER starring Tom Hiddleston. I highly recommend!

Story takes time to evolve but boy does it evolve. It gives a new direction to globalization of crime and how mafia work together. Love the characters and this show will definitely become a hit

I decided to watch McMafia one evening thinking that I'm not going to last even 10 min into it. Pretty much was expecting Russian cliches on top of cliches. Was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong. Just after one episode, I was hooked. Let me tell you ... the first season ending that aired yesterday was one of the best endings in a long time ... period. This show is for people who have an open mind and wants to feel something new and exciting. This show is focused on eastern Europe and two Russian families in particular. Both hero and a villain great however actor who the plaid villain is just astonishing. Russian cast is genuinely talented. There are similarities between this and Godfather however they are entirely different. Another thing I really loved about this show is that there is no unnecessary drama or long episodes that make no sense. All eight episodes go by very fast. One caveat - This show is not for people with a victim mentality.

This is a great show, illustrating how crime has gone global, just like capitalism. One reviewer didn't like it because some villains were Russian. Did he even watch the show? There are criminals from Israel, India, Pakistan, Mexico and Czech Republic. Just because there are no Americans yet (they may yet show up), doesn't mean it's unfairly portraying Russians as criminals.

Did anyone else notice that this is based on a very good NON-fiction book by Misha Glenny, a reporter who does excellent work? Just because the producers made it into a drama doesn't take anything away from the veracity of the story.

As the series progresses I think it's getting better and better, it's gripping, high octane, pulse racing viewing. The McMafia name I'm assuming is an attempt to show the globalisation of crime, how something can quickly spread worldwide, crime is unfortunately global these days. I get why the Russians are a little miffed as there is a bit of Russian bashing in it, but in real life there are Russian criminals, as in deed there are British and Israeli (American etc.) James Norton impresses in everything he does, McMafia is another in the list of successes for him. Is this a pre empt for James Bond, time will tell. So the series perhaps starts off a little slow, and is very political heavy in its story telling, but it's intelligent, compulsive, gripping viewing, more please.