Series / Features
"Everything Is Accurate, Even The Smallest Details", Historians Are Completely Baffled By The Unprecedented Realism Of This Overwhelming Miniseries
This series is acclaimed for its extremely accurate and realistic portrayal of the nuclear disaster, captivating every viewer.
It is hard to believe that a series about a nuclear disaster can feel so alarmingly real, but Chernobyl achieves just that. Almost every detail is accurate, from the wallpaper in the apartments to the zinc used for burying bodies. No concessions, no laziness. Only meticulously controlled accuracy.
Those who thought that TV makers would take liberties in their storytelling have yet to see Chernobyl. The series draws upon dozens of eyewitness accounts, medical reports, and official Soviet documents. One example: the deceased firefighters were wrapped in plastic, placed in zinc coffins, and then buried under a layer of concrete. Not for dramatic effect, but because that is exactly what happened at the time.
Even on a set level, the creators left nothing to chance. Old Soviet phones, typewriters, and uniform buttons were scouted at flea markets in Ukraine, Latvia, and Lithuania. When original materials no longer existed, they were recreated based on museum photos. Filming took place in the decommissioned Ignalina nuclear plant in Lithuania, which is almost identical in construction to the reactor in Chernobyl.
Notably, many local crew members themselves grew up during the Soviet era. They were asked by the production to pay attention to the details. Did the color of the shirts match? Was the tap water cloudy enough? This approach ensured that even experts on the subject could hardly spot any mistakes in the series.
According to creator Craig Mazin, it was not about sensationalism. "The reality was horrifying enough," he told the BBC. "The better we reconstruct it, the less we need to exaggerate." This dedication not only received critical acclaim but also left a lasting impression. Even years later, Chernobyl stands as a prime example of how to portray history without turning it into a caricature.
Those who thought that TV makers would take liberties in their storytelling have yet to see Chernobyl. The series draws upon dozens of eyewitness accounts, medical reports, and official Soviet documents. One example: the deceased firefighters were wrapped in plastic, placed in zinc coffins, and then buried under a layer of concrete. Not for dramatic effect, but because that is exactly what happened at the time.
Remarkably Detailed
Even on a set level, the creators left nothing to chance. Old Soviet phones, typewriters, and uniform buttons were scouted at flea markets in Ukraine, Latvia, and Lithuania. When original materials no longer existed, they were recreated based on museum photos. Filming took place in the decommissioned Ignalina nuclear plant in Lithuania, which is almost identical in construction to the reactor in Chernobyl.
Notably, many local crew members themselves grew up during the Soviet era. They were asked by the production to pay attention to the details. Did the color of the shirts match? Was the tap water cloudy enough? This approach ensured that even experts on the subject could hardly spot any mistakes in the series.
Not Just For The Drama
According to creator Craig Mazin, it was not about sensationalism. "The reality was horrifying enough," he told the BBC. "The better we reconstruct it, the less we need to exaggerate." This dedication not only received critical acclaim but also left a lasting impression. Even years later, Chernobyl stands as a prime example of how to portray history without turning it into a caricature.
