Chernobyl may be the best TV show of all time, according to iMDb, but the HBO/Sky series hasn’t impressed everyone, as it’s been announced that a Russian broadcaster will be remaking it.
The five-part series won praise for its attention to detail and historical accuracy, as it charted the events leading up to the catastrophic radiation plant explosion, which took place after a failed safety test on April 26 1986.
However, the Russian state-backed NTV is set to tell a different story, directed by filmmaker Alexei Muradov.
The AV Club reports that the new drama will focus on the aftermath of the disaster, rather than the build-up, and hone in on one controversial theory.
In an interview with The Moscow Times, Muradov is quoted as saying: “One theory holds that Americans had infiltrated the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and many historians do not deny that, on the day of the explosion, an agent of the enemy’s intelligence services was present at the station.”
The Hollywood Reporter adds that the Russian remake, which has reportedly already been filmed, was partially financed by the culture ministry, who provided 30 million rubles ($460,000).
Sky and HBO’s co-production featured an ensemble cast including Jared Harris (best known for his role in Mad Men), Stellan Skarsgård, Oscar nominee Emily Watson and Paul Ritter (Cold Feet).
After the finale, it became iMDb’s highest-rated show ever, knocking Breaking Bad off the top spot.