PREMIUM SPOTLIGHT ON LAVISH RUSSIAN EPIC TV SAGA ON THE 16TH CENTURY TZAR IVAN THE TERRIBLE

  IVAN THE TERRIBLE  

NEW RUSSIAN EPIC TV SERIES

The series  started airing in November

Beside all the new period set series coming from sweet mother Russia throughout this year that your trusted spy has announced in world's most extensive spotlight on 2021 epic and period set television series, there are some that have already aired this winter. IVAN THE TERRIBLE (Grozny) is among them, it aired this November and December on Russia's national broadcaster in eight hourlong episodes, as a sort of a follow up to the previous successful series from director Alexei Andrianov, Sofia and Godunov, this time with the story of a ruler who experienced great victories and great defeats. The main role is played by

Sergey Makovetsky plays the grown up tzar Ivan the Terrible

two actors: Alexander Yatsenko as young Ivan, and Sergei Makovetsky as the older tzar. The series also stars Tatyana Lyalina (as princess Anastasiya Ivan's first wife), Artur Ivanov, Anton Feoktistov, controversial

Serbian actress Milena Radulovich (whose involvement in the cast gives the whole project an international vibe), Lyudmila Polyakova, Artyom Tkachenko (as Ivan's brother Prince Vladimir), Maria Paley (as Vladimir's

The series aired in eight episodes this winter

wife Princess Evdokiya) and others. Thousands of costumes, hundreds of actors and half a thousand sets have been used in the production of this lavish historical saga.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE follows the legendary tzar, born to rule, who grew up an orphan, enduring oppression and humiliation from his fellow boyars. The Tsar, striving to establish a single and indestructible power in Russia, was repeatedly betrayed by his closest associates, and having gained great love, he lost it in the darkness of conspiracies and intrigues. This is the story of a ruler who experienced great victories and great defeats.

THE STORY OF THE SERIES

1571. Moscow is devastated after the brutal raid of the Crimean Khan Devlet Girey. Sovereign Ivan the Terrible, deciding that his kingdom has come

Milena Radulovich is Ivan's second wife tzarina Mariya

to an end, begins to write a chronicle of his life. He recalls his early orphanhood, humiliation suffered from his guardians, friends who became

Konstantin Krukov is prince Andrey Kurbsky

enemies, and enemies to whom he was merciless. He cannot escape the memories of his wife Anastasia, the marriage to whom was the happiest period

The series was shot in more than 400 different sets

of his life, love that illuminated the first years of his reign ... Young Ivan IV is surrounded by loyal people and wise advisers. He conquered Kazan, created a

The production started in February 2020 before covid pandemics

new army, established  new laws, and an heir was born to him. But soon the bright reign comes to an end: the heir dies, followed by his beloved wife, and

Nikita Panfilov is prince Ivan Chelyadnin

the former loyal advisers, one after another, turn into traitors. Ivan IV is gradually being reborn into the infamous Ivan the Terrible - a cruel tyrant.

The series was directed by Alexei Andrianov

And now rumors about his ruthlessness and violent disposition are becoming true, and these changes in the character of the emperor are changing history.

The series involves tons of battle and war scenes as well

Enemies are approaching Russia - will the country be able to withstand? Check out the darkly atmospheric teaser trailer below and tell us what you think:

PREMIUM SPOTLIGHT ON LAVISH RUSSIAN EPIC TV SAGA ON FAMOUS 16TH CENTURY TSAR BORIS GODUNOV WITH SERGEI BEZRUKOV AND SVETLANA KHODCHENKOVA

  'GODUNOV'

NEW RUSSIAN EPIC TV SAGA

The series is currently airing in Russia

We are continuing, and also finishing in grand style, our Russian Weekend today with a short spotlight on lavish Russian television saga GODUNOV which is, if the spy is right and when was he not, currently airing on Russian national broadcaster Rossiya 1! This sixteen episode series depicts the struggle for the throne, unrequited love, betrayal, intrigues, passions and trials of the 16th century rule of famous Boris Godunov (the first non Rurikid tsar of Russia) during which the future of the Russian state was being decided. Sadly, the end of his reign has pushed Russia into the

The series is based on Konstantin Badigin's novel Shipwreck near the island of hope

infamous Time of Troubles during which a third of population died from famine and which will end, after many years of turmoil, uprisings and usurpations, with the rise of the Romanov dynasty.

  THE STORY OF GODUNOV
set in the late 16th century,  revolves around tsar Boris Godunov and his family, covering the period from the reign of Ivan the Terrible to the accession of Mikhail Romanov to the throne. In the centre of the plot is the fate of the

Sergei Bezrukov is portraying tsar Boris Godunov in the series

Godunov family, from tsar Boris Godunov (Sergei Bezrukov), his wife tsarina Maria Godunova (played by our favourite Russian superstar Svetlana

Tsar Fedor Romanov, tsar Boris Godunov, and tsar Ivan the Terrible!

Khodchenkova), his sister Irina (who was married to the previous tsar and was childless which is how Boris managed to seize the throne. She is played by

Tsarina Irina, tsarina Mariya, princess Xenia!

Anna Mihalkova) and daughter Xenia (who will later on become the mother of the first tsar from the Romanov dynasty. She is played by Mariya Andreyeva)! Famous tsar Ivan the Terrible is played by Sergei Makovetzkiy.

DEZZY'S HISTORY LESSON

The rule of Boris Godunov, who was of Tatar origin, was at first prosperous and popular among the people as he brought many educational and social reforms by allowing foreign teachers to work in Russia and sending young

Prince Fedor, queen Maria of Livonia, and prince Vasiliy

Russians to study abroad and allowing certain religious freedoms in the empire. Later on, sadly, his rule gave birth to the institution of serfdom in its most oppressive form during which the peasants were turned into slaves.