Amazon has taken upcoming BBC crime drama “McMafia” and will launch the series on its Prime Video streaming service in 200 territories.
The deal, with series distributor BBC Worldwide, excludes the U.K., where the show will air on BBC One, and the U.S. and Canada, where it will be on AMC. The global agreement also cuts out China, where Amazon does not have a streaming service and where separate discussions are underway.
“McMafia” is about organized crime in modern-day Europe, and is based upon the bestselling nonfiction book by Misha Glenny. The TV drama was created created by Hossein Amini (“Drive”) and James Watkins, who directed all eight installments.
James Norton (“War and Peace”) stars as Alex Goodman, an English-raised son of Russian exiles with a mafia history. He has spent his life trying to escape the shadow of that criminal past, which comes back to haunt him and his girlfriend, Rebecca (Juliet Rylance).
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Amini and Watkins said: “’McMafia’ is the story of our contemporary globalized world and the criminal underworlds that compete and thrive just beneath its surface. It is a truly international show, spanning dozens of countries, and we are thrilled that through our collaboration with Amazon we can reach the global audience it was always meant for.”
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The series was commissioned by the BBC and is a co-production between BBC, AMC Networks and Cuba Pictures. It marked the latest programming deal between the U.K. pubcaster and U.S. cable channel after they teamed on “The Night Manager,” “The Honorable Woman,” and “One Child.”
“’McMafia’ is a compelling international story that our Prime Video customers around the world are going to love,” said Brad Beale, vice president of Prime Video TV Content Acquisition. “With a fascinating premise, talented writers and distinguished cast, ‘McMafia’ will be a great addition to our stable of high quality hit shows that are available exclusively to Prime members.”