Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about the miniseries Chernobyl.
What is Chernobyl?
Chernobyl is a 2019 historical drama television miniseries in five parts, created and written by Craig Mazin and directed by Johan Renck. It was produced by HBO in the United States and Sky UK in the United Kingdom, and it dramatises the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 and the cleanup efforts that followed.
Is the series a true story?
It is a dramatisation of real events. It was praised for being exhaustively researched, but commentators have noted liberties taken for dramatic purposes, such as Legasov being present at the trial and the timing of his death. For the history itself, see the codex of the real event at codexery.com/chernobyl/.
Was Ulana Khomyuk a real person?
No. Ulana Khomyuk, played by Emily Watson, is a fictional composite character based on the many scientists who investigated the accident. The epilogue of the series acknowledges this.
Who is in the cast?
The ensemble cast is led by Jared Harris as Valery Legasov, Stellan Skarsgård as Boris Shcherbina, Emily Watson as Ulana Khomyuk and Paul Ritter as Anatoly Dyatlov, with Jessie Buckley and Adam Nagaitis as Lyudmilla and Vasily Ignatenko.
Where was it filmed?
Principal photography began in Lithuania in April 2018. A district of Vilnius was used to portray Pripyat, and the power plant scenes were shot at the decommissioned Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. Minor final scenes were shot in Ukraine.
What awards did it win?
At the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards it received nineteen nominations and won for Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Writing. It also won at the 77th Golden Globe Awards and at the 2020 BAFTA TV Awards.