8.045 minSeason 1 • Episode 13
LatestThe early 1960s. The Soviet Union is experiencing a bright Khrushchev-era, full of hope. A group of young diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs come face to face with world-changing global events. Before long, these wide-eyed idealists find themselves deep in the breathtaking world of spy games, mortal dangers, and brilliant political maneuvering.
Production
Meticulous Soviet-era detail that makes the KGB look almost stylish.
Acting
Vdovichenkov's slow-burn descent from true believer to hollow man.
Creator
Mikhail Idov
Andrey Smirnov
Georgy Mikhailovich
Jonathan Salway
Vladimir Vdovichenkov
Grigory Biryukov
Severija Janušauskaitė
Ruta Blaumane
Artyom Bystrov
Leonid Korneev
Egor Koreshkov
Andrey Muratov
Evgenia Brik
Galina Volina
Anatoliy Belyy
Yuriy Kuznetsov
Aleksandr Feklistov
Andrey Egorov
Mikhail Khomyakov
Maksim Vitorgan
Viktoriya Isakova
Karolina Gruszka
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Creator Mikhail Idov based several characters on real Soviet diplomats, including his own father; the KGB headquarters scenes were filmed in the actual Lubyanka basement with special government permission.
The series sparked debate in Russia about whether it 'humanizes' the Soviet security apparatus too generously; state TV declined to air it despite partial government funding.
RU
