Collider has revealed that Viaplay is bringing the thriller series Mafia to US screens, and episodes start rolling out on June 19. 

Mafia is told from a unique perspective: we see the evolution of organized crime through the eyes of a petty criminal who rises to become a notorious gangster. Additionally, we follow a police detective who had the keen eye to realize that there was something more profound in the underworld of cigarette smuggling, but unfortunately, she wasn’t taken seriously by her superiors. Mafia takes place in the 1990s, and the story covers nine years of rising crime in Sweden, including armed conflicts, intense shootouts, and gang wars.

The strong cast features Peshang Rad, Katia Winter, Helena af Sandeberg, Nemanja Stojanovic, Jens Hultén, Christian Hillborg Cedomir Djordjevic and Dragomir Mrsic. Mafia is helmed by two high-profile directors — Mani Maserrat and Tomas Jonsgården, and Axel Stjärne serves as the lead writer.

Swedish actor Peshang Rad has extensive experience from both the screen and the theatre stage, and moves with ease between the genres drama, comedy, thriller and crime.

Rad was educated at the esteemed Malmö Theatre Academy and has since his graduation had major roles in several films and TV-series including Holy Mess (2015), Backstabbing for Beginners (2018), Innan vi dör (2017-2019), Jana – Marked for Life (2024) and Bäckström (2020-2024).

Rad plays the starring role of Radovan “Jakov” Jakovic in the highly anticipated series Mafia. The six-episode crime thriller, delves into the life of the notorious gangster “Jakov”, chronicling his journey from poverty to wealth. Drawing inspiration from actual events, it unfolds the transformation of Sweden in the 1990s, evolving from a relatively tranquil nation untouched by organised crime into a land marked by intense gang conflicts and violent shootouts.

Furthermore, Rad has performed at renowned theatre stages all over Sweden. Among his memorable performances are The Brothers Lionheart at Uppsala Theatre and most recently Sviten at Intiman in Stockholm where he played the leading role to great praise.