#I love the company dodgy paper why not b just like them...

[bigkettle]

not a single thought going through my head all day then 2am hits and I'm like. need to make a mold and deckle right the fuck now

[mumbai-local]

The Mirror Shaped Hole in Our Hearts

So this is it, this is where we get off.

There would be no Mumbai Mirror in our palms on weekday mornings, and even though we’d get it on Sundays and it would have a ‘strong digital presence’, we know they’re just ways to say ‘shop’s shutting, go home.’ For something that we spent no more than ten minutes on every day, it’s going to be a tough loss to digest. If you too have a hole in your heart, let me measure it for you.

At arguably one of the peaks of its 15-year life cycle, Mirror, the ‘compact’ daily from the Times Group, would break stories from IPL 2009 in South Africa that would read like nothing filed on the sports pages of The Times of India (TOI). Mirror held this cut-throat exclusivity as a filter for its news every day, across beats, to build a distinct voice for itself. The parent company, Bennett, Coleman and Co. (BCCL), would routinely fly separate correspondents to the same events, whether at Jamaica or Dunedin, and it was also common for the competing correspondents being friends and even sharing hotel rooms while despatching reports. The cumulative impact of TOI and Mumbai Mirror (MM), bundled together for distribution, years after Mirror’s 2005 launch, was a telling blow on competitors, most remarkably Mumbai’s oldest tabloid, Mid-Day.

At arguably another peak, MM had an extensive, snappily designed 16-page edition dedicated to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, put to bed hours after the main edition, which in itself would be of 56 to 64 pages. All this free-flowing newsprint, a continuously expanding market and most importantly, reams of full-page adverts, seems to be an obscene tale from another era.

To think that Mirror, from those highs, faced such a nosedive is ironically like one of the Bombay stories it loved telling. We know the arc well - the rise, the reign, the plot to bring it down, the fall and the end. It’s almost as if the ghosts of all those exclusive stories - of fallen industrialists, flopped film stars and failed society doyens - that Mirror unabashedly broke day on day, plotted this. BCCL attributes this closure to ‘the pandemic, lockdown and unprecedented economic crisis’ but we as Mirror faithfuls, take this as with a sack of salt. 

This seems more of a jettison, and while not much is public as the BCCL empire isn’t a listed company, it’s safe to say the Jains wanted bleeding pets off their green books. There were reports of BCCL facing a consolidated net loss of Rs 451.63 crore in FY 19-20, a bungee jump from the net profits of Rs 484.27 crore in just the previous year.

Net-net, it’s this: Even before the ‘C word’ took the world economy down in 2020, the ‘bad news’ vibe was strong, and it must not have taken Mirror employees, adept at joining the dots while reporting on Bollywood’s love affairs, much time to update their LinkedIn profiles.

Hence, it’s intriguing that the official statement by The Times of India Group on this would mention a thing such as ‘the economy now officially in recession’. I’m no pink paper reader but to think that a behemoth such as the Times, running entities such as Medianet and Brand Equity Treaties and verticals such as Times Internet (which has brands such as Cricbuzz, Gaana and MX Player in its portfolio), is hurting from an ‘import duty adding to newsprint costs’... seems a wee… bit dodgy, much like Mirror’s famed ‘tailpiece’ blind items - you could only speculate the truth. But hey, what I’m sure of is this - that one primetime anchor going by the initials 'RSS’ on the Group’s alleged ‘news’ channel Times NOW, has not even mentioned the word ‘recession’ in a very long time, let alone cover it. 

So to find out why the most profitable media house in the country with annual revenues of $1.5 billion and an average of over 30 per cent returns on investment in previous years did not want to ride out Mirror’s losses, you’d probably require a seasoned Mirror reporter, ideally from its film or crime beats.

But if you have been a reader of The Illustrated Weekly of India, Indrajal Comics or Times Crest, you are again disappointed, not surprised, that the owners have once again pulled the plug, but this time it’s on Bombay’s boldest voice. And no Saamna, you can’t come close.

In just April last year, MM was the only single edition newspaper to be among the top five newspapers in India, quite a feat given its perennial label of being a sibling to the older TOI beast. This younger one, and every younger sibling from Prince Harry to Hardik Pandya will agree, remained feisty, unabashedly self aware and delightfully anti-establishment through its lifetime, owing to the mother who raised it, the venerable Meenal Baghel.

Some credit this to ‘the nature of the beast’ that tabloid culture is - a naked, annoying, indelible aspect of big city life. But we - and by we, I mean those who got to work with Meenal - know that as the handler of this beast, she fed it meatloaf with one hand and held a whip in the other. That’s how the beast grew stronger every day and mauled the mighty.

The beast emboldened us to ask uncomfortable questions of our society and culture, and not in a Republic-reporter-chasing-Rhea’s-car manner, but in a civil, restrained one where Oxford commas and em dashes had pride of place.  

It made photojournalist Sebastian D’Souza jump out his seat next to mine on the night of November 26, 2008, and dart out with his camera when we heard gunshots within metres of us, only to return with this photo.   

It made us have the bravado to pick up the phone and call anyone in the country for an exclusive quote. “I’m XYZ from the Mumbai Mirror,” we’d say, not from The Times of India. 

Mirror broke stories that stirred us in those ten minutes or less. Stories of blacklisted contractors winning road repair contracts using their wives’ names, of unscrupulous builders who’d unflinchingly steal lifetimes’ savings of retired peons, of principals who’d be sacked for exposing sexual harassment scandals, of everything adulterated - milk, water, air.  

Trigger warnings be damned - don’t like, don’t read if you can dare. While TOI and other dailies touched upon the city’s underbelly, Mirror thrived in it. It kept on showing us what’s under that flyover while we glided to work over it - the blood, gore and heartbreak. Wait, it literally did a story this year on cancer patients living under a flyover (and they promptly got help). Of course, there was gloss and fun and those ridiculous non-news about Kareena Kapoor juggling ‘work with motherhood’, but those were just the mixers to the other potent stuff. 

You know what the real loss for Mumbai is, right? That most of these stories just won’t be reported in print. And no corrupt contractor or conniving criminal may lose sleep over a Sunday paper or a publication with ‘strong digital presence’ exposing them.

The other ‘happy to see Mirror go’ could be Bollywood’s A, B and no-listers, who, once upon a time, would get palpitations if they’d see incoming calls from a certain Vickey Lalwani. “Dibakar, give me a story! Give me a sensational story! Mumbai Mirror has circulation of 750,000. Make it exclusive, okay?” 

But I doubt they’d be too happy too - after all, if Mirror’s calling you, you’re hot currency.  

(That said, there is a negligible number of people who are elated to see Mirror go, and they’re fans of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It so happened that on the morning of the launch of the much anticipated last book of the iconic series, Mirror carried a spoiler on its front page. ‘First things first, Harry Lives.’ Ouch. Younger siblings, after all, can also be incredibly cheeky and embarrassing at times. But we cannot do without them.)

In July 2019, I had asked Meenal, the finest editor I will ever work under, about just how she found the energy to run a tabloid compact like this every single day for so many years. “As long as the good days outnumber the bad, I keep going,” she’d replied. It was a fair way to convey how she and her team (me gratefully being a small part of it from 2005 to 2011) worked. We went out to battle every day and slept well every night, and the lakhs of readers, in return, gave us a high. 

Now, when the dreaded ‘last edition’ is probably being wrapped around a vada-pav somewhere in Mumbai, all of us - Meenal, us former colleagues, the readers, the haters, the Mahinder Watsa fan club, everyone - will have our heads held up for knowing that the Mumbai Mirror era indeed had way more good days… well, even bloody good days, than the bad ones.

At least we won’t be shaking our heads and eye-rolling while looking at the front page of that old flagship broadsheet daily.

[finderskeepersff]

7.

What the hell do you even wear for Miami, I don’t really go away either. I stay in my own spot and just do me, I don’t go away. I mean going to New York City is a break for me, and also here it ain’t warm so I don’t really have clothing for that. I just shoved anything in this duffle bag, I am wearing a hoodie, fuck everything. Grabbing my beanie, it’s cold outside, well I am cold. Dragging open my bedroom door “mom!” I spat, I heard her walking and talking upstairs “yes Cassius?” she said “I am going away for the weekend, will be back. Don’t worry ok? I am just going away with a friend” my mom let out an oh “Myles?” shaking my head “just a friend but don’t worry, I am doing nothing wrong. Just a break away in Miami. That is it” my mother worries too much now, she feels she is losing her son’s to the system “ok, can you just call me to let me know you got there please?” nodding my head, pressing a kiss to my mom’ cheek. I don’t know how to feel about this at all, I mean I am going there as a friend to Sofia, which is fine but maybe I will feel wanted there or not but I will see. Knowing me, I will get stopped at the airport. I am like a walking target, imagine if they don’t let me leave but that can’t happen, I did do some research on this before agreeing to such a thing. I tried to pay for this beach house but Sofia declined, she said just pay for your flights. Which was sweet of her but I feel like I am the only person that didn’t pay for such a thing, I will try and slip some money to her.

I am late, I mean not late for the flight but late for the meet up. Closing the cab door, looking down at myself. Hoodie and cut off jeans is a little odd but it’s me, I don’t care for all that. Placing my hood over my head, walking into JFK airport. Sofia said they will be close to the front, watch me not see her because it’s me. I only see what is ahead of me, unless I am doing some dodgy shit I am then aware. I am tired as shit, I was awake late as fuck last night too. I am feeling so odd now, maybe cut off jeans wasn’t the best idea because I am actually cold, well my legs are. Looking around and all I see is plenty of people, breathing out heavily. I really haven’t lived outside of New York, I’m a simple man. I don’t care for breaks away, I didn’t really get the chance too either with being locked away for three years. Staring down at the text again, the meeting point is at the entrance. Where the fuck is a meeting point, is she feeling ok. Squinting my eyes looking around me, too much is happening and I am in the way “excuse me, ma’am” I said to this random lady “meeting point here, where is it?” I hope she can speak English “it’s right there” she pointed and it is right in front of my face, I can notice Sofia from a mile off, well when I know where I am going “thank you beautiful” walking off, I am very much a dumbass.

Mia clocked me first “the late comer decided to join us” pushing my hood back on my hoodie “I got lost” I said laughing at myself “seriously? Ain’t you come here before tourist” shaking my head “I ain’t ever stepped foot in this place, I ain’t ever flown before” Mia looked shocked “really? You a virgin then” I chuckled “erm yeah, hey Sofia” do I just stand here or hug her “oh yeah this is Olivia and Ivy, if you don’t remember. I mean they know of you” shaking their hands “this is their boyfriends, that is Mitch” a white guy “I’m Cassius” shaking Mitch’ hand “that is Lloyd and the ugly one is Kenton” the last dude side eyed Sofia “so we all have met now, I think we need to make movement” this is different, I am used to drug dealers and killers, I ain’t ever had this type of friends but I like different “are you hot or cold negro?” Mia pointed at my attire “I am a bit of both. I don’t know how to dress for these kind of events you see” Mia chuckled “we will look after you virgin, so you really ain’t left New York at all?” shaking my head “my family all in the vicinity of New York so why would I?” this is going to be different.

This is like a flashback to me, all this searching and shit. I don’t have anything I shouldn’t have on me, I am not stupid. I mean I have some money in cash but it’s not too much to be stopped about it “take everything off” Sofia said randomly “excuse me?” raising an eyebrow, she laughed at herself “no, not in that way. Take anything that can set the alarms off, watch, chain. Maybe the hoodie I don’t know but empty your pockets too, they are empty yes?” nodding my head, Sofia walked off and went through the security check. Some security officer waved at me to come forward, do I seem like I am up to no good. I sighed heavily as I knew for me the alarms would go off “you got anything metal on you besides the studs on your ears?” shaking my head “maybe that is broken?” let me be quiet “arms out” stretching my arms out, he kicked my legs open wider. My heart dropped, I assumed he was going to arrest me but he just searched me. It makes it worse because people are looking “large sum of money” he asked “never been away, first time” he stared at me dead in the eyes “gather your stuff, you’re all clear” I breathed out, this is why I don’t go anywhere. It’s too much of a headache.

I am a odd ball, I am sat next to a single mother and her child. I am assuming she is a single mother, I hope this child does not cry. I am sat so far from them all but it’s whatever “I knew it! I fucking knew it, I saw that gleaming forehead and I was like I dealt with him for three years. You have a shape up but you still the same” looking up seeing B “no fucking way!” I spat “I said I am coming out soon and I am out” getting up from my seat “you ain’t so ugly being out here” B hugged me, he loves a hug “I missed you when you left but shit, you here!? I am so hype” licking my lips “yeah I am going Miami with some friends” I pointed at them and then seeing that they are all staring at me “wow, they niggas gay? Hi friends! Friends of Cassius are mine too” he is never quiet “listen, just sit down. Before they kick us out, you need to give me your number? Why you going Miami” dapping him “new life, I am going there to start fresh, I am so happy to see you Cassius, you saved me” shaking my head sitting down “you’re a good guy too B, sit down now and give me your number when we get off” I am already feeling nervous so I don’t need him talking to me all the way through.

Resting my head back on the headrest, that is a weird feeling to be flying “hi” feeling someone use my arm to get up, looking to the side of me. The lady’ daughter is climbing on me, looking forward and seeing her mother is asleep “hi” I said back, this is great. The girl held my shoulder for support to stand up, I can’t really push her down “you going to sit down?” I asked, she shook her head, of course not “you can read your book” maybe her mother is tired but I am also tired, she reached down picking up her book and then placed it on my lap “oh wow, ok. I can’t read little lady” this is just my luck “don’t lie to her” my head snapped to my left seeing Sofia smiling down at me “I thought I would let you know there is a seat behind me free, I see you busy making friends. Hello there beautiful” I shrugged “she likes me more than you do, you ditched me” Sofia pulled a face at me “that is a lie, you was speaking to your friend and then you fell asleep when I walked over to you earlier. I have been checking on you like a child, but clearly you have a friend” looking over at the little girl, she is really just resting on my shoulder “you will be a cute dad you know” Sofia complimented “but if you want, you can sit with us” looking down at this book “you know what, I will sit here and read this book to her” I ain’t that much of a bad guy.

The little girl gave me a high five “I am sorry she bugged out during the flight, I am sorry. I didn’t get your name?” the lady said “I am Cassius, and it’s fine. She is a character, you be good now for your mother” the lady got her hand out to me “I am Jenny, and this is Eliza. So bye to the mister, I don’t know what happened. But thank you” stepping to the side “it’s cool, bye little one. Take care Jenny” Eliza waved at me, waving back at her still “you making my ovaries ache” looking behind me at Mia “thank you?” I said confused “they got off, I waited for you. I just wanted too, you know, say that be yourself. Also I think my friend really does like you a lot but she is scared of a lot of things, that is why I said be yourself” smiling at Mia “she left?” I said looking around “she did but you got me? How was the flight? Did you get scared” slowly walking off the plane “erm, a little. That little girl kept me company anyways” seeing B waiting for me “I just wanted to give you my number, and good looking out. I appreciate you as a friend” taking the piece of paper from him “be you nigga, that loud mouth negro” I said as I called hin “I will call you” he’s a good guy, just got a big mouth.

I’m always last on everything, Ivy I think it is waved at me on the mini bus. I go to pee and everyone disappears, I’m not about this going away life. Stepping on the bus, seeing Sofia is sat right at the back with her friends, we could have sat together, that sounds way too childish actually “come and sit closer to us!” Ivy shouted, walking further down the rows “is that better?” I asked, placing my duffle back on the seat and sat down “so you really not been away before?” One of the dudes asked “Kenton right?” I pointed “yes it is” I remembered “No, I don’t see the reason too” I shrugged “what do you do? Like work wise?” This is great “you think anyone would employ a nigga like me, I ain’t ever left the system. I’m just one of those niggas” I don’t know what else to say “I understand what you mean, I’m a stock broker. It’s hard for us but you got to push. You can do it” I bet all these niggas got good jobs “are you all stock brokers?” I asked “no, Mitch works in accounting and Lloyd is a manager at where Sofia works but it’s a different department” they have good jobs “I wanted to be an accountant, now I account for street money” is that even a thing “you can always do it?” The white guy said, Mitch I think “with a criminal record?” Their faces stared at me in horror “I ain’t going to kill any of you” this is everyone’ reaction to me, I ain’t good enough for this life besides the streets.

Stepping off the mini bus, I’m impressed. It really is a beach house, I mean it’s dope to actually see a beach in real life. It’s actually hot on these ends so I do need to take off my hoodie, I am dying “y’all must have paid a lot? This place is huge” I ain’t ever seen shit like this before “just as beautiful as I saw it! Yasss” Mia ran ahead, this is a dope ass place honestly. Shit you see in music videos, I am impressed “mr moody” Sofia nudged me, looking to the side of me “am I though? You been staying away from me, there was a free seat on the next aisle at the side of me, you been not sitting next to me and stuff” which is true “you upset about it? I am not doing it on purpose. I just don’t know. Like I don’t know how to you know, be us” slowly walking into the home “I feel judged though, like you know” I shrugged, I don’t know how to explain it “nobody is judging you, I think you are judging yourself Cassius” maybe I am “niggas with fancy jobs and then me” Sofia shook her head at me “ok and? Let’s just have fun, ok? And I will sit next to you mr sensitive” I had to laugh, maybe I am being that “but clearly that little girl got your attention so I also feel a little sensitive about that” she playing with me.

This place is a dream, I love it “so! Everyone, Sofia got something to say” Mia announced, I am too busy staring at the beauty of this place “ok, so initially I didn’t think Cassius would come so there is only four bedrooms. So I mean” Sofia dragged out “you can either put up with her snoring or on the couch?” Nia said, Sofia laughed hiding her face “bitch!” She spat, I shrugged “I can sleep on the couch” not that I care “he’s such a gentleman” imagine if I said I would sleep next to Sofia, the outrage but I’m not that type of guy “If you bring any pussy over just give us the word and we will go out” Mitch said “thank you” Mia side eyed Mitch “it’s not a pussy party, it’s literally my birthday” Sofia reacted with a quickness with her harsh self or butt hurt “your birthday was a week ago, like yeah” I like him, for a white guy he funny “we’ll see what the women of Miami can bring but I’m going to have to be my own hype man, y’all taken so yeah” I need to loosen up a little, I think it’s just that I feel inadequate about what I do, these are all good people and there is me.

Cassius is very quiet, I don’t know why. It was nice that he offered to sleep on the couch but I wasn’t about to give up on my bed anyways but he’s been a little quiet. I think him speaking on things like jobs and that he is a criminal which is not a bad thing, people can change “so shall we go down, see ocean drive. Hopefully the boys are getting on, I mean when are you going to make him your man?” Olivia came up behind me “if you don’t get the fuck out of here with that that shit” is she crazy “look, I need y’all to not fuck around with all this shit, let them just do them” Mia announced, she is speaking like I am not here “wow, I am here you know” it’s so warm out there and maybe I am showing too much leg but I don’t care, booty shorts and legs are out, I don’t get the chance to show my legs off as much “please and yass bitch, show the legs. Reel him in” I am so done with these, grabbing my bag “forget you all” walking out of the bedroom, I don’t get them. It’s like they want me to be with him but why, what makes them think he is good for me. I need to ask them this question, I am intrigued to know.

Sighing heavily seeing Mitch, Lloyd and Kenton all speaking together “erm, where is Cassius?” I asked looking around “well, he is outside there” Kenton pointed “oh ok, is he ok?” I asked, maybe they said something “erm yes, he is. He said he was having a blunt” letting out an oh, he probably thinks they don’t like him smoking it. Placing my bag on the table as I made my way outside, I don’t want him shying away like that. He seems like a well reserved man, he watches in silence. He does that a lot, it’s creepy but it works. He likes to work out things in his mind, I have noticed that from him. Pushing the sliding door more wide, watching Cassius pace around the pool as he smoked a blunt “it’s cool here bro, I thought they was about to arrest me for the money I had on me but they didn’t. He was giving me stank eyes” Cassius looked up at me but his eyes looked down to my legs, I waved at him smiling “yeah, I will call you later or something. If you just do what I told you, the returns will be better than you think, trust me on this. Bye” he disconnected that phone call he was on “how come you out here?” I asked “just smoking a blunt” he is still wearing a beanie and hoodie, is he feeling ok “you’re making me warm dressed like that” squinting my eyes at him “you’re making me sweat dressed like that” he retorted blowing the smoke out from his lips “you got a smart mouth, you always got to say something back” he placed the blunt between his lips as he walked by me, he is just something else “I keep telling you Sofia, we the same people” folding my arms across my chest watching him walk back inside.

Miami females are different, they real fake though. Blinking several times, her titties were huge “you see that?” Lloyd said to me in a whisper, I snorted laughing “I did” dapping him, he funny “ssshhh, don’t laugh. You know these female funny about shit” which made me laugh even more “why don’t you come here and sit next to me” Ivy said to Lloyd “I guess that is you” seeing Sofia get up from where she was sat, next to Ivy “I can look, I mean I ain’t touching” resting my arm on the back of the chair “why you in the way? The lady trying to serve us” the waiter is holding our food and Sofia is just in the way “oh sorry” Sofia said near hitting into the waiter “it’s ok” that means Sofia has to walk the other way around, I hope she can climb over my legs “what I tell you about being in the way?” Sofia looked down at me in annoyance “nothing, now can you please” she pointed at my legs, I shrugged smiling “seriously? I need to sit there?” clearing my throat “climb, you have the height leg wise” Sofia huffed out and placed her bag right on my crotch as she climbed over my legs “was that hard?” licking my lips smiling “mhmm whatever, move your arm” she pushed my arm back from the back of the chair.

Wiping my hands on the napkin “do you like it?” I pointed at her plate, Sofia nodded “it’s nice” nodding my head smiling, sitting back in the chair. Maybe I ate too fast but everyone is eating still, sighing out dragging my eyes to the back of Sofia. I don’t think I am good enough for Sofia, like we get on and she makes me happy as shit when I am with her but I feel like I am not good enough. Look at her friends, they all doing well for themselves. I can’t give her the dream, I am trying to chase mine three years behind. Rubbing my eyes, looking back at Sofia again just eating, this is stressing me out. I wish she never met Jordan but then I wouldn’t have met her “Cassius” I quickly looked away from Sofia “yeah” I said to Mia “nothing” she smiled at me “you ready to party? We going to the club after” I sighed out smiling “for sure, I am” I think she caught me staring at her friend, awkward.

[jamesginortonblog]

What are you thinking about James? TV domination in 2018?

Psycho, crime-fighting vicar, Russian prince and now mobster with James Bond pretensions. But all James Norton wants to speak about is Britain in crisis. Interview: Adrian Lobb

The Big Issue, December 27, 2017

James Norton is grinning widely as he welcomes The Big Issue into his dressing room at London’s Donmar Warehouse theatre, where he’s starring in a new play, Belleville. A copy of our Christmas issue is propped up against his mirror. “I have so much respect and love for it. The fact that you have put little Martin Wellstead’s drawing on the cover? It is just joyous, a wonderful thing,” he beams. “This epitomises what London should be, a city of inclusivism and openness.” 

The 32-year-old made his name playing psychopathic Tommy in Happy Valley, a crime-fighting vicar in Grantchester and a troubled romantic lead in War and Peace, the next step to propel him to international attention is new BBC One thriller, McMafia. A truly international production, filming took place around the world: in Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Zagreb, Moscow, Prague, Mumbai, Split, London and Qatar, putting to good use co-funding from America’s AMC network. The story, told over eight parts, could scarcely be more timely - a tale of global corruption highlighting the way organised crime has moved into the boardroom. “I want the show to be a catalyst for a conversation that really needs to happen,” says Norton. “When you do a show that is feeding off the zeitgeist, you usually feel like you are chasing it. You are trying to create a piece of art that somehow explores, investigates or interrogates the current story. “But we were on set and had Russian actors improvising scenes about corruption at the state level with the FSB and Putin-at the same time, stories about Trump and Putin and collusion between the White House and the Kremlin were breaking. “It was weird, it felt like the zeitgeist was chasing us, that our show was becoming more topical as we went. And it became, as a result, more and more important. Since we finished filming, we had the Panama Papers, corrupt Icelandprime ministers, the money-laundering trail leading to Putin. Now there is Paradise Papers and the huge scale of tax evasion they reveal. It’s insane, it’s in the news every day if you want to find it.” Norton plays the expensively educated son of Russian mafia parents who has grown up in London and rejected the corruption that paid for his schooling and his family’s lavish lifestyle. Instead, he works in the city and is a darling of the ethical finance community. His first appearance, dashing and debonair in an immaculate suit, sets the mind wandering towards another famous James. And that’s before he’s seen emerging from the sea in a swimsuit... So, can we ask the Bond question? "The Bond question? Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he says, with boyish glee. “I knew McMafia was going to fuel that fire for sure. I did tell them when I was doing it that there is no way you are going to film me in a tuxedo and not going to get that question flying around. “It is such an iconic role and it is so important in this country. There are not many people you will find who don’t care about Bond. So to even be mentioned in the same conversation is kind of mad and kind of magical. It really is very cool and very flattering and a bit bizarre and surreal.” That’s not a no, then. Although he says any speculation is just that. And he wants Daniel Craig to do a few more, as he’s a fan. For now, his latest alter ego’s gradual, initially reluctant slide into dodgy dealings is the spark at the centre of this fiery series. “Walter White [from Breaking Bad] is a good comparison. Michael Corleone in The Godfather is another example. His story is one where he goes deeper and darker.” Where most mob films and television shows have been highly localised, McMafia inhabits a bigger world than Sopranos, Gomorrah or Narcos. “The whole idea of McMafia is a reference to McDonald’s, the ultimate archetype of globalisation - what we want to do is show that the mafia no longer fight and do business on the street, they do it in the boardroom. “Since all of the globalisation, and in the multicommunicative age we live in, the cartels talk to the Russian mob, which talk to corrupt hedge-fund managers in London, which talk to Washington.” According to Misha Glenny - whose book investigating global corruption and gangs gives the show its title - all roads on this journey through global underworld lead to London. “It can’t help make your blood boil,” Norton says. “We are told this is an inclusive city. And we pride ourselves on openness and multiculturalism. And I do see that. A lot. I love London for that reason. I love its inclusivity, it is a wonderful place to live whether you are a man or woman, gay, straight, from any country in the world. “But there is this deep hypocrisy. London has very few assets in terms of resources, but we have incredible service-provider acumen. So all money and deals, most of it comes through this city. And we have very, very lax rules. People in the City are able to take the piss because the government are not putting the safeguards in place to prevent corruption. As a country we are on the verge of potentially becoming a tax haven if we are not careful with what is going on with Brexit.” The B-word is causing the star sleepless nights and sorrowful mornings. “My heart breaks every morning,” he says, dramatically. “I get a Brexit update and like alot of people I am slightly addicted, in a perverse way, to following this story. I digest everything. “I feel like, as an actor, if you have a little bit of a voice you have a responsibility to use that voice. To a point. But every time I tweet about that, I get people who are really angry, ‘just stick to your fucking job, you are not a politician.’ I disagree. “But I also think the point is always going to be more valuable if it is made through the work. Right now I am really pleased and keen to use McMafia to talk about corruption and the need for transparency. It is important to try to work in a politically, socially conscious way. So maybe I need to do a job about Brexit - because my heart is broken, if I’m honest, about what is happening in this country. It feels like we are spiralling out of control and no one is willing to put the brakes on.” In the past, Norton’s politicking has been strictly local, supporting a campaign to rebuild Peckham Lido, 30 years after it fell into disrepair. But, he says, McMafia has broadened his political horizons. “I have been talking to the NGO Global Witness, who are responsible for investigating big mining companies and governments. We have been talking about how we can use this show to start conversations about corruption. It is quite an unsexy thing to talk about. But that’s how they get away with it. It is a world and language that so few people speak, the language that the bankers and the City and hedge fund managers speak - you and I don’t know what the fuck most bonds are. So I think it is important to attach personal accounts to these things.” This is where, Norton feels, drama can trump investigative reporting. “I feel like it is very important right now. This sense of injustice is being fuelled, and people want to see what it looks like. What McMafia tells us is that there is a cost,” he continues. “So you have the minority with the yacht and the fast cars and the parties, but at the same time you have women being trafficked, drug addicts in Mumbai fecilitating the one up the food chain... we were very keen to make sure we didn’t just tell the story of corruption” Norton must get back into his New York accent for Belleville. There is just time to explain exactly why global corruption should enrage everyone. “If you are a normal person working and paying taxes, the fact is that there a tiny, tiny number of people making an absurd amount of money at your expense. They are finding loopholes and essentially engaging in a huge level of corruption,” he says. “Homelessness has gone up 134 per cent, and I would love to know how many properties are empty or unused. The fact that there isn’t enough money in this country to pull that person off the street is because people at the top aren’t paying their tax. It can’t help but make your blood boil at the deep, deep injustice and sadness. It is such a warped and sad situation to find ourselves in, and such a stain on what should be a really wonderful place to live.”