Ross Kemp: Mafia and Britain
Editor: Jonny Lennard (episodes 3 and 4 of 5)
Airing: Tuesdays in September at 9pm on Sky History
Jonny Lennard edited episodes 3 – Colombia and 4 – Costa del Crime, of this 5 part series.
Ross Kemp investigates Britain’s surprising and deep-rooted links with the mafia dating as far back as the 1920s. Mafia bosses, capos and hitmen have lived all over the UK, some in the most unlikely of places, from caravan parks to shoe shops, semi-detached houses to coffee shops. Ross Kemp goes on a global journey to follow a trail of illegal money and drugs along an intricate path where history meets globalisation to reveal the true reality of Britain’s historical relationship with the mob.
Ross learns about Britain’s role in establishing the mafia through British exports of alcohol during prohibition to the relationship between the five families and the notorious Kray Twins and gambling in the 1960s; the fall of the US mob to RICO and the impact that had on the Colombian drug cartels. This intricate investigation unveils the hidden reality of how the mafia quietly entrenched itself in Britain’s criminal underworld, leaving a lasting mark on history.
The Guardian Review: “it’s astounding he gets gangsters to open up this much”
