The Zelensky Story: Trailer, Premiere date, Episodes, Contributors, & Everything we know so far 

Prepare to delve into the remarkable journey of Volodymyr Zelensky in The Zelensky Story, a compelling three-part documentary that chronicles his transformation from a beloved entertainer playing the Ukrainian President in the hit series Servant of the People to the actual President of Ukraine, leading the nation through its darkest hours in the face of Vladimir Putin's aggression. 

The BBC recently dropped a trailer for this eagerly anticipated series, showcasing exclusive interviews filmed during several trips to Ukraine. Directed by Michael Waldman and produced by 72 Films, known for their work with high-profile subjects like Elon Musk, this documentary provides an unprecedented glimpse into Zelensky’s life, featuring insights from his wife, First Lady Olena Zelenska, and prominent figures such as former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 

As the series unfolds, it explores pivotal moments that have shaped Zelensky’s life and career, including the Maidan Revolution, the 2014 Crimean Crisis, and his response to Russia’s invasion. Viewers will find themselves in the room during crucial events, including Zelensky’s infamous phone call with Donald Trump and his efforts to negotiate peace amid chaos. 

Curious about the untold stories and extraordinary insights this documentary has to offer? Get ready to explore the intricate details of The Zelensky Story as we uncover the cast, plot twists, and the gripping atmosphere surrounding this landmark series. Stay tuned as we reveal more captivating revelations leading up to its release!

Release date & Where to Watch

You can watch The Zelensky Story on BBC iPlayer starting from Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at 6 a.m. GMT. It will also air weekly on BBC Two from Sept. 4, 2024, at 9 p.m. GMT.

How to Access The Zelensky Story Online Outside UK

You can watch The Zelensky Story exclusively on BBC iPlayer in the UK. If you're outside the UK, currently living in the US, Canada, Australia, or from anywhere, geo-restrictions may prevent you from accessing the show. To bypass these limitations, consider using a good VPN to stream The Zelensky Story. A VPN allows you to access content as if you were located in your home region, while also ensuring your online activities remain secure.

When selecting the best VPN, it’s important to choose one that offers fast and reliable connections alongside robust security features. NordVPN is highly recommended for unblocking BBC iPlayer. It provides 24/7 customer support and includes Threat Protection for added security. Additionally, its DNS and IPv6 Leak Protection safeguards your IP address and DNS requests from potential exposure. With the Meshnet feature, you can also create a secure network with other NordVPN users, further enhancing your privacy.

Plot

This definitive box set series explores the remarkable journey of Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian who portrayed a president on screen before becoming the real President of Ukraine. Spanning three episodes, it chronicles Zelensky’s transformation from a young actor and entertainer to a globally recognized leader navigating a nation at war with Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Directed by Michael Waldman, the series provides rare access to interviews with President Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, who candidly share insights into their extraordinary lives. Their story unfolds as childhood sweethearts thrust into fame and politics, ultimately facing the most significant invasion in Europe since World War II.

In addition to interviews with the couple, the series features testimonies from world leaders, including Boris Johnson, Nancy Pelosi, former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, and Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak, who recount their experiences with Zelensky and Putin leading up to the full-scale invasion.

With a blend of exclusive interviews and never-before-seen archive footage, this series illuminates the origins of the conflict in Ukraine and the roles of Zelensky and Putin in this pivotal moment in history.

Contributors

• Volodymyr Zelensky - President of Ukraine
• Olena Zelenska  - First Lady of Ukraine
• Luke Harding - Foreign Correspondent, The Guardian
• Ben Wallace - UK Defence Secretary 2019 - 23
• Oleksandr Pikalov - Zelensky’s childhood friend and collaborator in Kvartal 95 Comedy Troop
• Vadim Pereverzev - Zelensky’s childhood friend and collaborator in Kvartal 95 Comedy Troop
• Olena Kravets - Zelensky’s childhood friend and collaborator in Kvartal 95 Comedy Troop
• Nancy Pelosi - Speaker, US House of Representatives 2019-23
• Amanda Sloat - Special Advisor to President Biden
• Dmytro Kuleba - Ukrainian Foreign Minister
• Alexander Rodnyansky - Ukrainian TV Mogul and Zelensky’s mentor when an actor
• Sir Roderic Lyne - UK Ambassador to Russia 2000 – 04
• Boris Johnson - Former Prime Minister UK 2019 – 23
• Oleksiy Danilov - Ukrainian National Security Advisor, 2019 – 24
• Yuri Kostiuk - Scriptwriter, ‘Servant of the People’ with Kvartal-95
• Davyd Arakhamia - Leader of Zelensky’s ruling party, and Lead negotiator with Russia early in the war
• Andriy Yermak - Head of the Office of the President
• Aleksey Kiryushchenko - Director, ‘Servant of the People’
• Iuliia Mendel - Zelensky’s Press Secretary 2019 - 21 
• Kurt Volker - US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations, 2017 - 19
• Ruslan Stefanchuk - Ukrainian Parliament Chairman
• Mykhailo Podolyak - Adviser to the President of Ukraine
• Simon Shuster - Foreign Correspondent, TIME Magazine

Episode Guide

• Season 1 Episode 1 (Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024): This episode offers unique access to Volodymyr Zelensky and Olena Zelenska, tracing Zelensky's journey from aspiring comedian to president. It begins with the collapse of the Soviet Union and explores his role in the political awakening of Ukraine, culminating in his decision to run for president after starring in the hit show Servant of the People.
• Season 1 Episode 2 (Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024): Following Zelensky's election victory, this episode delves into the challenges of leadership. Through in-depth interviews, viewers witness his encounters with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, highlighting the intense pressures he faces as war looms and Ukraine's readiness is questioned.
• Season 1 Episode 3 (Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024): This final episode opens during the initial hours of the Russian invasion, showcasing how Zelensky's entertainment skills unite the nation. It reveals the realities of living through war and the difficult decisions he and his wife face during peace negotiations with Russia.

Official Trailer

What are the key Zelensky Quotes from The Zelensky Story?

Here are some key quotes from The Zelensky Story that capture significant moments in President Zelensky's reflections:

• On his childhood dreams [Episode 1]:  "I was very free during the end of the Soviet Union. Young people wanted freedom and to see the world. We just wanted to meet, speak, and discover ourselves in this vast planet. My parents wanted me to be calm and focused on my studies, but I found time for everything. Freedom is a great thing."
• On meeting his wife, Olena [Episode 1]: "One of the best moments in my life was meeting my wife. I just looked at her and fell in love the moment I saw her at school."
• On Putin’s psychology [Episode 2]: "I think Putin isn’t alone; there are others like him in the world. Not everyone has the chance to express their negative or evil dreams. The problem is that the West didn’t recognize him earlier and didn’t stop him."
• On transitioning from comedian to president [Episode 3]: "I brought my ability to communicate with people from my comedy days into this job. I truly love people; if you don’t love them, you will grow tired."
• On making life-and-death decisions [Episode 3]: "Making decisions that could lead to the death of others is the most difficult challenge of my life. I constantly question myself, and there are questions I still don’t have answers to. I remember those people—the parents I met, the heroes I honored with golden stars for their sacrifices. That is a huge challenge for me, perhaps the biggest."

Who is Directing The Zelensky Story?

Michael Waldman serves as the series director for The Zelensky Story. His production company, 72 Films, is known for documentaries about high-profile figures like Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Rupert Murdoch. Waldman chose to focus on Zelensky, recognizing him as one of the most significant figures on the global stage, particularly amid the ongoing political and military turmoil in the 21st century, which impacts us all. 

Filming in Ukraine presented significant challenges, particularly due to the closed airspace. Waldman and his cameraman flew to Warsaw, traveled by road to the Polish-Ukrainian border, and then took a packed overnight train to Kyiv, complicating last-minute changes to their plans. While there, they faced air-raid sirens and stringent security measures to access the Office of the President.

Waldman was surprised to discover Zelensky's impressive management skills during the filming process, including his ability to lead a successful business and his decisive actions in shutting down operations in Russia after the 2014 Crimea invasion. A particularly poignant moment comes when First Lady Olena Zelenska admits on camera, “I’ve never said this out loud - but I had a faint hope that he wouldn’t win the election.”

Waldman aims for viewers to gain a deeper understanding of both President Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, who both revealed aspects of their personalities that had not been shared publicly before. As Zelensky navigates immense pressures and criticism, the question of who he truly is becomes increasingly relevant for audiences around the world.

Behind the Scenes

The Zelensky Story, a three-part series for BBC Two and iPlayer, has been commissioned by Jack Bootle, the Head of Commissioning for Specialist Factual, with Simon Young serving as the BBC Commissioning Editor for History. Produced by 72 Films in collaboration with the Open University, the series boasts a multi-award-winning team, including Series Director Michael Waldman, Executive Producers David Glover and Jonathan Smith, Producer Jecca Powell, and Producer/Director Louis Lee Ray.