‘McMafia’ Viewers Bemoan ‘Tiny Subtitles’ As James Norton Drama Debuts

‘McMafia’ may have delighted fans and critics when the first episode debuted yesterday (1 January), but there was one aspect of the show that left some viewers unable to follow the action.

The eight-part series focuses on Alex Godman (played by James Norton),  a young man raised by Russian exiles with a mafia history, who has spent his life trying to escape the shadow of that criminal past.

And with a number of scenes featuring Russian dialogue, subtitles were needed. Sadly, according to a number of fans who took to Twitter to air their complaints, the text wasn’t quite big enough…

Gave up on McMafia after about 15 mins last night. Could not follow the tiny subtitles. Waste of space

— Clive Mitchell (@CliveMitchell54) January 2, 2018

More seriously, I wonder if anything can be done about the Russian subtitles being teeny for those who'd struggle to see them. Is there a way to fix it? #McMafia

— Laura (@uisgebeatha) January 1, 2018

For the love of god lose the subtitles #McMafia

— Tracy Greaves (@TracyGreaves24) January 1, 2018

@BBCOne#McMafia love it but with so many subtitles you could increase the font size! Difficult to read at speed across a room

— Cobweb (@cobweb200) January 1, 2018

i'm not sure if i'll watch the second episode of #McMafia it was good but a bit slow, it was annoying watching subtitles. although some intriguing things will hapen in tomorrows episode it seems @BBCTwo@jginorton

— Faye (@ABitFilmMadFaye) January 1, 2018

Numerous viewers also claimed the subtitles weren’t on screen long enough:

I am enjoying it. But I feel that the subtitles aren't on the screen long enough to read them. #McMafia

— Kilted Krew (@KiltedKrew) January 2, 2018

Appalling translation subtitles on #McMafia - too fast and too small. I'm assuming the production team took no advice on how long it takes to read subtitles, they need to talk to an expert.
Expensive, good programme ruined.

— Caitlin Fawkes (@CaitlinFawkes) January 2, 2018

#McMafia what the hell is going on? I have no idea. random subtitles that flash and then disappear before you even get to read them

— Sam Clements (@samITFC) January 1, 2018

Though not everyone agreed:

I’ve seen posts saying that some can’t read the subtitles or they go off too fast in the new Beeb programme McMafia. Either they have very tiny tellies or poor eyesight I can read it perfectly Good so far too

— Gill Kendo (@KendoGill) January 2, 2018

People complaining about #McMafia translation subtitles being too small have NOTHING to moan about. Try being 100% reliant on subtitles all of the time. #snowflakes

— Debumere (@debumere) January 2, 2018

Looks like #McMafia isn’t for everyone. Subtitles and concentration proving a bit of an ask on New Year’s Day. I’ll be giving the second ep a chance. And not just because of dem cheekbones

— Ally Sinyard (@allysinyard) January 1, 2018

There are seven episodes of ‘McMafia’ to come and the second will air tonight (2 January) at 9pm. The third then airs on Sunday (7 January).

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