McMafia, BBC1

The next 007? Norton would actually be a fine Bond villain

IT WAS billed as a tryout for James Bond but it seems James Norton might be more suited to another role… that of Bond villain.

As banker Alex Godman tried to claw his way out and save his family from organised crime, each decision sucked him further in.

Until last night, when he somehow came out on top – of all of it. Just not in the way we wanted. The finale was an action and intrigue-packed episode. With his father’s warning of “in Moscow they kill you” ringing in his ears, Alex faced threats, crooked cops, a kidnap attempt and gangsters chasing him within minutes of touching down in Russia.

After all that, the final confrontation with Vadim was a little disappointing, however ruthless. Told he’d have to be willing to lose everything to live in that world, he did just that, leaving not only a killer but a drug kingpin who signed the death warrant of thousands from a boardroom.

McMafia might mean Norton’s dreams of being 007 aren’t quite over. If not, he still makes a great baddie...