Film critics have named eight of our TV shows as some of the best.
Every year, Kino-Teatr.Ru asks leading Russian film and television critics from different publications to name their Top 3 Russian TV series and explain their choices. A total of 22 projects were included on this year’s list, eight of which were made by Gazprom Media. These shows were broadcast on TNT as well as the PREMIER video platform, where viewers can still watch them.
1-2-3 Production’s drama Pereval Dyatlova (Dead Mountain: The Dyatlov Pass Incident) topped the vote according to 20 experts. It had twice as many votes for first place as its closest competitor—a total of six expert votes for first place and three for second place. Earlier this month, KinoMail.Ru users also recognized Pereval Dyatlova as the best Russian TV show.
Director of TV-3 Valeriy Fedorovich and the channel’s chief producer Evgeny Nikishov produced and directed Pereval Dyatlova and Ilya Kulikov wrote the script, a fusion of mystical drama and documentary thriller. Its plot is based on the true story of a group of students who trekked into the Ural Mountains in 1959 and died under mysterious circumstances, and the show starred Pyotr Fedorov, Maria Lugovaya, Yegor Beroev, Vladimir Simonov, Alexey Vertkov and several up-and-coming actors.
The drama Mir! Druzhba! Zhvachka! (Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!), made by Good Story Media (part of Gazprom Media Holding) finished in fourth place in the vote. A coming-of-age story about growing up during the changes sweeping Russia in the turbulent 1990s, it was first shown on the PREMIER video platform in the spring of 2020 and later broadcast on TNT.
Film critics also recognized Igra na Vyzhivanie (Survival Game) and Call Center, both of which received three mentions. A psychological thriller, Igra na Vyzhivanie was directed by Karen Oganesyan and produced by Valeriy Fedorovich, Evgeny Nikishov and Nelly Yaralova. It was released on TNT and PREMIER in late August and starred Alexandra Bortich and Alexey Chadov.
Another psychological thriller, Call Center, also premiered in the spring of 2020. Written and directed by Natalya Merkulova and Alexey Chupov, it came out at the same time on TNT and PREMIER.
The screenlife series #SidyaDoma (#StayingHome) and Okayannye Dni (Cursed Days) also got top marks from film critics. Produced by Valeriy Fedorovich and Evgeny Nikishov, #SidyaDoma is the first sitcom to be filmed in the unique screenlife format. It looks at life in self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic. Okayannye Dni by the popular comedian Semyon Slepakov is another series that made the most of the screenlife format.
In addition, critics noted the comedy series Ivanko by Good Story Media, which aired on TNT in early November, and another of the studio’s comedy projects, Olga. The fourth season of this beloved TV series was back on the air at the end of August.
All of these TV shows and more are available to subscribers on PREMIER.