BBC quietly axe Russian gangster thriller McMafia – the drama which catapulted James Norton to Bond potential
IT’S threatened a comeback more times than Cher and measles —but I can reveal that crime drama McMafia has finally been shelved by the BBC. Four years have passed since the thriller hit our screens and helped make leading man James Norton a frontrunner to play James Bond. But a string of issues has held […]
IT’S threatened a comeback more times than Cher and measles —but I can reveal that crime drama McMafia has finally been shelved by the BBC.
Four years have passed since the thriller hit our screens and helped make leading man James Norton a frontrunner to play James Bond.
But a string of issues has held up production of the second series, which was commissioned by the Beeb.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has now proved the final straw for the BBC1 show.
A TV insider said: “McMafia has been beset by problems, ranging from the pandemic to the fact James Norton’s booming career meant it was hard to pin him down to start filming.
“But it also wasn’t a good look to start a second series of a show where the main protagonist is a gangster from a dodgy Russian family who ultimately triumphs on the back of a string of dark deeds.
“The drama doesn’t glorify the violence or corruption, in fact it attempts to highlight the terrible consequences that followed the break-up of the Soviet Union.
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“But given it deals with murderers and oligarchs, it’s still a very awkward show to be creating in the current climate.”
There has been a shift in the media world against Russia since Vladimir Putin began hostilities. Streaming giant Netflix said it was pulling out of the country and TikTok announced it was suspending live streaming and new content on the platform.
McMafia focused on businessman Alex Godman, played by James.
His family were forced to leave Russia and start a new life in London.
He was reluctantly sucked into the dark affairs of his gangster relatives. By the end of the series the character was hooked on power and took over the running of the mob.
The BBC confirmed shortly after the series aired in January 2018 it had ordered a second run of the show, which was based on Misha Glenny’s book of the same name.
But James got tied up making a number of films and TV shows in the US and the UK, and is now due to appear in another series of BBC1 police drama Happy Valley.
We’ll have to chalk McMafia up as a one-hit wonder.
Chopping Chunkz
ITV2 has signed up YouTube comedian Chunkz to host its new cookery show, Bad Chefs.
He gets to challenge ten takeaway addicts into learning how to create their own meals as they compete to win a cash prize.
Chunkz said: “This is going to be so bad, it’s good.”
Dawn and Jen barn to be wild
DAWN French and Jennifer Saunders deliver a polished performance in their special Comic Relief sketch with The Repair Shop gang.
The double act reprised characters The Extras for the TV fundraiser on March 18.
They are intent on blagging a fix in the famous barn just to get on telly.
In the sketch, Jay Blades sends them packing but they get back in the barn and cause mayhem.
Roman: I’m a teatotaller
I’VE heard some astonishing things in my time – but Roman Kemp’s shock revelation takes the biscuit.
You won’t catch him dunking said biccy, though, because the presenter and former I’m A Celebrity campmate has announced he’s never had a cup of tea.
Mary Berry challenges him to find a delicious blend on her new BBC1 cooking show, Fantastic Feasts, and co-host Roman admits: “What if I told you I’ve never had a cup of tea in my life?”
Amazed Mary responds in tomorrow’s first episode: “Not even in the jungle? So, what would you have at 4 o’clock?”
With a laugh, Roman replies: “A pint.”
Bev fear of work drought
LEAVING Corrie after 30 years as Liz McDonald seems to have taken its toll on Beverley Callard’s confidence.
She’ll be back on screens this month as nasty gran Pauline in Mathew Horne and Morgana Robinson’s comedy Newark, Newark, screened on UKTV channel Gold on March 28, 29 and 30.
But Beverley is still “scared” she’ll be out of work after leaving the ITV soap.
She said: “You don’t want to say no to a job because you’re so scared you’ll never work again, especially after leaving something after such a long time.
“But scripts come and you think, no I’m going to wait. The script came for Newark, Newark and I just thought I have got to do this.”
Chase in Women’s Day first
IT’S great to see a whole host of brands and television channels doing their bit to highlight International Women’s Day today.
So it was interesting to hear that ITV will have an all-female line up of contestants on The Chase today.
They will be playing with one of the female Chasers, either the Vixen Jenny Ryan or Governess Anne Hegerty.
The channel says it is the first time host Bradley Walsh will be the only male to feature.
It does beg the question of why this has never happened before, on a normal Tuesday episode.
And would the move still be highlighted if it was a group of all-male quizzers?
That’s when we’ll really know we have reached the stage of true equality.
That's a rap
WHEN Channel 4 announced rapper Tinie Tempah as host of a property show, I wasn’t sure how it would pan out.
But Extraordinary Extensions was a hit and has now been given a second series.
Tinie said: “I was left amazed, inspired and at times bewildered on the last season.”