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Chernobyl

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Chernobyl

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• 2019

• Drama
• Documentary

• 15

Summary

Jared Harris, Emily Watson and Stellan Skarsgård star in a five-part dramatisation of the story of one of the worst man-made catastrophes in history.

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IMDB

Review

Jane Rackham

Knowing what we do now about the events of April 1986 makes it even more horrifying to see people’s casual attitudes when the nuclear power plant exploded.

In Craig Mazin’s grim drama, locals watch the “beautiful colours” in the sky while children play amid radioactive particles floating through the air; firefighters shrug off the danger (“it’s only the roof that’s on fire”); officials buck-pass and deny there’s any serious risk. Then the plant workers and emergency crew start collapsing and vomiting from radiation burns. But it’s not all lies and cowardice — some individuals went to heroic lengths to save lives.

A bleak, greenish light and what feels like realistic Soviet-speak give an authentic feel, while the starry cast includes Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgard and Emily Watson. But it is, inevitably, a hauntingly depressing story.

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9.3/10

How to watch

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Streaming

• NOW
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameLyudmilla IgnatenkoJessie BuckleyValery LegasovJared HarrisBoris ShcherbinaStellan SkarsgårdVasily IgnatenkoAdam NagaitisUlana KhomyukEmily WatsonAnatoly DyatlovPaul RitterLeonid ToptunovRobert EmmsAlexandr AkimovSam TroughtonViktor ProskuryakovKarl DaviesMikhailMichael Socha

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Crew

rolenameWriterCraig Mazin

Seasons

Latest season

Season 1

News & features about Chernobyl

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• 
  
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  The BAFTA-nominated show dramatises the aftermath of the devastating explosion at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986.

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  BAFTA winner Jared Harris hails 'amazing' wins as Chernobyl breaks BAFTA record
  
  The critically-acclaimed mini-series picked up a total of nine awards.

• 
  
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  Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgård and The Crown’s Jared Harris also have roles in the show based on the power plant disaster

• 
  
  Jessie Buckley joins Jared Harris and Stellan Skarsgård in Chernobyl disaster drama
  
  The Sky drama will also star Emily Watson, Adrian Rawlins and Ralph Ineson

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  Death Valley season 2 release date is finally confirmed for hit BBC One series
  
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  The world of For All Mankind is getting ever bigger!

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