Crime thriller McMafia has reportedly been axed by the BBC following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The gangster drama, which made lead star James Norton a frontrunner to play James Bond, drew audiences of up to 10 million during its 2018 debut.
It was due to return for a second series, but production was massively delayed by lockdown and the coronavirus pandemic.
Amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, Beeb bosses are now said to feel it’s “not a good look” to air a programme about a “dodgy Russian family” in the current climate.
Rising star James, 36, was also “hard to pin down” due to his other film and TV commitments, including the new BBC series of Happy Valley.
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A TV insider told The Sun : “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 source said the drama doesn’t glorify violence or corruption and instead tries to highlight the terrible consequences in the aftermath of the break-up of the Soviet Union.
“But given it deals with murderers and oligarchs, it’s still a very awkward show to be creating in the current client,” they added.
The Mirror have contacted the BBC press office for comment.
The BBC is not the first media company to axe or halt productions over the ongoing situation with Russia.
On Sunday, Netflix made the decision to suspended all their services in the country.
A Netflix spokesman said: “Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to suspend our service in Russia.”
Social media giant TikTok followed suit saying it was suspending both livestreaming and any new content being added to the platform.
While credit card companies Visa, Mastercard and American Express all cut services in Russia over the weekend.
McMafia, based on Misha Glenny’s book of the same name, followed the life of Alex Godman, who was portrayed by James in the BBC series.
The businessman and his family are forced to leave Russia and start a new life in London.
Alex is reluctantly dragged into the criminal underworld following the murder of his uncle, but by the end of the series is running the mob.
Although James won’t be reprising his role as Alex, fans will see him returning to TV screens for the third series of Yorkshire police drama Happy Valley.
He will again play murderous sex offender Tommy Lee Royce alongside Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood.
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