Cast and Crew of Chernobyl

Chernobyl

The 2019 HBO miniseries "Chernobyl" tells the gripping true story of one of the most catastrophic man-made disasters in history: the nuclear accident that occurred at the Chernobyl power plant in the Soviet Union on April 26, 1986. The five-part series takes viewers on a harrowing journey through the events leading up to the explosion, the immediate aftermath, and the clean-up efforts that followed, all while highlighting the bravery and selflessness of the individuals who risked their lives to save others.

At the heart of the story are two central characters: Valery Legasov, played by Jared Harris, and Boris Shcherbina, portrayed by Stellan Skarsgård. Legasov is a leading Soviet nuclear physicist who is called upon to lead the investigation into the accident and determine its cause. Shcherbina, on the other hand, is a Soviet bureaucrat who is initially skeptical of Legasov's findings but eventually becomes a key ally in the effort to contain the disaster. Together, the two men navigate the complex political landscape of the Soviet Union and work to prevent the spread of radiation and protect the health and safety of the surrounding communities.

"Chernobyl" is not just a story about a disaster, but also a tale of the human spirit and the incredible sacrifices made by individuals in the face of overwhelming adversity. The series explores the personal stories of the first responders, firefighters, and plant workers who were on the scene in the immediate aftermath of the explosion, as well as the soldiers, miners, and scientists who were brought in to help contain the radiation and clean up the site. These stories of bravery and selflessness serve as a powerful reminder of the human capacity for resilience and the importance of working together in the face of tragedy. The series is a must-watch for anyone interested in history, science, or the human condition, and is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who see it.

Chernobyl ran for 1 season.

Main Cast of Chernobyl

Jared Harris as Valery Legasov

Jared Harris

as Valery Legasov (5 episodes)
In the gripping HBO miniseries 'Chernobyl', Jared Harris delivers a powerhouse performance as Valery Legasov, the Soviet nuclear physicist tasked with managing the volatile aftermath of the catastrophic disaster. With remarkable nuance and depth, Harris embodies Legasov's conflicted nature, as he grapples with his role in the Soviet Union's nuclear program, the immense responsibility of containing the devastating fallout, and the moral dilemma of revealing or concealing the truth from the world. Harris's portrayal is both sympathetic and riveting, as he captures Legasov's emotional turmoil and unwavering determination, making viewers feel the weight of every agonizing decision and harrowing event in this enthralling historical drama.
Stellan Skarsgård as Boris Shcherbina

Stellan Skarsgård

as Boris Shcherbina (5 episodes)
Stellan Skarsgård delivers a captivating performance as Boris Shcherbina in the gripping HBO miniseries 'Chernobyl'. As the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Skarsgård beautifully portrays the inner turmoil experienced by Shcherbina, as he balances political pressures and navigates the complex layers of bureaucracy whilst tackling the gravest nuclear disaster in history. Skarsgård's nuanced acting brings to life the character's transformation from a rigid, unwavering official to an empathetic leader, determined to expose the truth and ensure that those affected receive the help they need. His remarkable portrayal of Boris Shcherbina, alongside a strong ensemble cast, adds depth, authenticity and emotional intensity to this powerful and haunting TV show.
Emily Watson as Ulana Khomyuk

Emily Watson

as Ulana Khomyuk (5 episodes)
Emily Watson delivers a compelling performance as Ulana Khomyuk in the HBO miniseries 'Chernobyl'. Her portrayal of the dedicated Soviet nuclear physicist showcases her immense talent and range. Watson skillfully captures Khomyuk's unwavering determination to uncover the truth behind the catastrophic nuclear accident, while also subtly conveying her character's moral conflict and anguish. Her performance is both captivating and emotionally resonant, making Ulana a standout character in this gripping retelling of one of history's most significant disasters.
Paul Ritter as Anatoly Dyatlov

Paul Ritter

as Anatoly Dyatlov (5 episodes)
Paul Ritter's portrayal of Anatoly Dyatlov in the HBO miniseries "Chernobyl" is a standout performance that commands attention. As the deputy chief engineer, Ritter skillfully captures Dyatlov's unwavering belief in the infallibility of the Soviet nuclear power system, even in the face of disaster. He conveys a sense of false confidence and stubbornness that makes the character both chilling and tragically flawed. Ritter's performance is a gripping exploration of the human error and psychological factors that contributed to the catastrophic events of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in powerful storytelling and exceptional acting.
Jessie Buckley as Lyudmilla Ignatenko

Jessie Buckley

as Lyudmilla Ignatenko (5 episodes)
Jessie Buckley's compelling portrayal of Lyudmilla Ignatenko in the TV series 'Chernobyl' is nothing short of breathtaking. As the resilient wife of a firefighter who falls victim to the nuclear disaster, Buckley expertly captures Lyudmilla's undying love and determination in the face of adversity. Her raw and authentic performance adds an emotional depth to the show, making viewers feel the human impact of the catastrophic event. Buckley poignantly illustrates the immense physical and emotional hardships endured by Lyudmilla, demonstrating her courageous and selfless nature. Her powerful performance is bound to leave a lasting impression on those watching the gripping narrative unfold.
Adam Nagaitis as Vasily Ignatenko

Adam Nagaitis

as Vasily Ignatenko (5 episodes)
Adam Nagaitis delivers a compelling and emotional performance as Vasily Ignatenko in HBO's critically acclaimed miniseries, "Chernobyl." Nagaitis breathes life into the character of the young firefighter who becomes an unsuspecting hero during the tragic nuclear disaster. His portrayal is both captivating and heart-wrenching, as we observe Ignatenko's transformation from a dedicated fireman to a victim of unimaginable suffering. Nagaitis' ability to display raw vulnerability, combined with his character's unwavering courage, results in a truly impactful performance that adds an intimate perspective to this monumental historical event.
Sam Troughton as Alexandr Akimov

Sam Troughton

as Alexandr Akimov (5 episodes)
Robert Emms as Leonid Toptunov

Robert Emms

as Leonid Toptunov (5 episodes)
Con O'Neill as Viktor Bryukhanov

Con O'Neill

as Viktor Bryukhanov (5 episodes)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Robert "Con" O'Neill (born 15 August 1966) is an English actor. He started his...

Adrian Rawlins as Nikolai Fomin

Adrian Rawlins

as Nikolai Fomin (5 episodes)

Adrian John Rawlins (born 27 March 1958) is an English actor.

Alan Williams as KGB Chairman Charkov

Alan Williams

as KGB Chairman Charkov (5 episodes)
David Dencik as Mikhail Gorbachev

David Dencik

as Mikhail Gorbachev (5 episodes)
Mark Lewis Jones as General Pikalov

Mark Lewis Jones

as General Pikalov (5 episodes)

Mark Lewis Jones is a Welsh film and television actor, born in Rhosllannerchrugog, Wrexham. He began acting as a tee...

Ralph Ineson as General Tarakanov

Ralph Ineson

as General Tarakanov (5 episodes)

Ralph Michael Ineson (born 15 December 1969) is an English actor and narrator. Known for his deep, rumbling voice, hi...

Barry Keoghan as Pavel

Barry Keoghan

as Pavel (5 episodes)

Barry Keoghan (born 18 October 1992) is an Irish actor. He has appeared in the films Dunkirk; The Killing of a Sacred...

Alex Ferns as Glukhov

Alex Ferns

as Glukhov (5 episodes)

Alex Ferns is a Scottish actor who is perhaps best known for playing abusive husband Trevor in BBC soap EastEnders. H...

Fares Fares as Bacho

Fares Fares

as Bacho (5 episodes)
Michael McElhatton as Prosecutor Andrei Stepashin

Michael McElhatton

as Prosecutor Andrei Stepashin (5 episodes)

Michael McElhatton (born 12 September 1963) is an Irish actor and writer. He is best known for playing the role of Ro...

Michael Socha as Mikhail

Michael Socha

as Mikhail (3 episodes)
Karl Davies as Viktor Proskuryakov

Karl Davies

as Viktor Proskuryakov (3 episodes)

Karl Davies was born on August 6, 1982 and is currently 42 years old.

Jan Ricica

as Oksana's Kid (3 episodes)

Secondary Cast of Chernobyl

Sam Strike as Misha

Sam Strike

as Misha (1 episode)
Sammy Hayman as Titenok

Sammy Hayman

as Titenok (1 episode)
Matas Dirginčius as Vladimir Tishchura

Matas Dirginčius

as Vladimir Tishchura (1 episode)
Caolan Byrne as Day Shift Worker

Caolan Byrne

as Day Shift Worker (1 episode)

Stephen Bisland

as Night Shift Worker (1 episode)
Alex Blake as Petrovich

Alex Blake

as Petrovich (1 episode)
Matthew Needham as Dmitri

Matthew Needham

as Dmitri (1 episode)

Matthew Needham was born on April 13, 1984 and is currently 40 years old.

Rosie Sheehy

as Nurse Pripyat (1 episode)
Tomas Žaibus as Soldier (Hospital)

Tomas Žaibus

as Soldier (Hospital) (1 episode)

Tomas Žaibus was born on January 19, 1981 and is currently 43 years old.

Ron Cook as Old Maternity Doctor

Ron Cook

as Old Maternity Doctor (2 episodes)

Ron Cook was born on December 1, 1948 and is currently 75 years old.

Peter Guinness as Major Burov

Peter Guinness

as Major Burov (1 episode)

Peter Guinness (born 14 August 1950) is an English film, television, and theatre actor. He has appeared in over fift...

Laurence Spellman as Commission Heli Pilot

Laurence Spellman

as Commission Heli Pilot (1 episode)
Alison Pargeter as BCP HQ Aide Female

Alison Pargeter

as BCP HQ Aide Female (1 episode)
Victor McGuire as Garanin

Victor McGuire

as Garanin (1 episode)

Victor McGuire was born on March 17, 1964 and is currently 60 years old.

Sakalas Uždavinys as Ilya Ivanovich Chulkov

Sakalas Uždavinys

as Ilya Ivanovich Chulkov (1 episode)

Aidas Jurgaitis

as Soldier (Shelter) (1 episode)
Aiste S. Gram as Bartender in Polyissa Hotel

Aiste S. Gram

as Bartender in Polyissa Hotel (1 episode)

Daniel Crossley

as Stasiuk (1 episode)
Lucy Russell as Marina Gruzinskaya

Lucy Russell

as Marina Gruzinskaya (1 episode)
Donald Sumpter as Zharkov

Donald Sumpter

as Zharkov (2 episodes)

Donald Sumpter (born 13 February 1943) is an English actor. He has appeared in film and television since the mid-1960...

Diarmaid Murtagh as Zukauskas

Diarmaid Murtagh

as Zukauskas (1 episode)

Diarmaid Murtagh is an actor.

Natasha Radski as Russian News Reader

Natasha Radski

as Russian News Reader (1 episode)

Yitzchak Averbuch

as General (1 episode)

Joe Tucker

as Plant Employee (1 episode)
Caoilfhionn Dunne as Yenina

Caoilfhionn Dunne

as Yenina (1 episode)
Philip Barantini as Bezpalov

Philip Barantini

as Bezpalov (2 episodes)
Oscar Dyekjær Giese as Baranov

Oscar Dyekjær Giese

as Baranov (2 episodes)
Baltasar Breki Samper as Ananenko

Baltasar Breki Samper

as Ananenko (2 episodes)
Pandora Colin as Dr. Vetrova

Pandora Colin

as Dr. Vetrova (1 episode)
Gerard Kearns as Pravik

Gerard Kearns

as Pravik (2 episodes)
Povilas Jatkevičius as Kibenok

Povilas Jatkevičius

as Kibenok (2 episodes)

Rachel Atkins

as Niyazova (1 episode)
Darius Petkevičius as Local Husband

Darius Petkevičius

as Local Husband (2 episodes)
James Cosmo as Miner

James Cosmo

as Miner (1 episode)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia James Cosmos is known for his film roles as Angus MacLeod in Highlander, Campb...

Arnas Danusas

as Soldier (Miner's Bus) (1 episode)
Michael Colgan as Mikhail Shadov

Michael Colgan

as Mikhail Shadov (1 episode)
James Kermack as Miner

James Kermack

as Miner (1 episode)

Karolis Vilkas

as Miner (1 episode)
June Watson as Old Woman Babushka

June Watson

as Old Woman Babushka (1 episode)
Amanda Drew as Kremlin Aide Female

Amanda Drew

as Kremlin Aide Female (2 episodes)

Amanda Drew was born on December 21, 1969 and is currently 54 years old.

Josef Altin as Soldier

Josef Altin

as Soldier (1 episode)
Sergejus Ivanovas as Survey Soldier

Sergejus Ivanovas

as Survey Soldier (1 episode)
Alexej Manvelov as Garo

Alexej Manvelov

as Garo (1 episode)

Alexej Manvelov was born on March 31, 1982 and is currently 42 years old.

Josef Davies as Janek

Josef Davies

as Janek (1 episode)
Velta Žygurė as Elderly Librarian

Velta Žygurė

as Elderly Librarian (1 episode)

Paulius Cizinauskas

as KGB Agent Library (1 episode)

Mark Bagnall

as Jughashvili (Robot Operator) (1 episode)
Ian Pirie as Site Officer Masha

Ian Pirie

as Site Officer Masha (1 episode)

Andrew Sheridan

as Biorobot (1 episode)

Lukas Malinauskas

as Biorobot Soldier (1 episode)

Marius Karolis Gotbergas

as Biorobot Soldier (1 episode)
Jamie Sives as Sitnikov

Jamie Sives

as Sitnikov (2 episodes)

Jamie Sives (born 1973) is a Scottish actor. Description above from the Wikipedia article Jamie Sives, licensed unde...

Douggie McMeekin as Yuvchenko

Douggie McMeekin

as Yuvchenko (2 episodes)

Simonas Dovidauskas

as KGB Driver (1 episode)
Hilton McRae as Judge Milan Kadnikov

Hilton McRae

as Judge Milan Kadnikov (1 episode)
Kieran O'Brien as Khodemchuck

Kieran O'Brien

as Khodemchuck (1 episode)

O'Brien grew up in nearby Royton and was educated at the Bishop Henshaw Roman Catholic Memorial High School in Rochda...

Cait Davis

as Local Wife at Bar (2 episodes)
Michael Shaeffer as Blond Man

Michael Shaeffer

as Blond Man (2 episodes)
Šarūnas Datenis as Soldier (Reactor Site)

Šarūnas Datenis

as Soldier (Reactor Site) (1 episode)
Adam Lundgren as Brazhnik

Adam Lundgren

as Brazhnik (2 episodes)
Billy Postlethwaite as Boris Stolyarchuk

Billy Postlethwaite

as Boris Stolyarchuk (2 episodes)

Billy Postlethwaite was born on January 1, 1989 and is currently 35 years old.

Jay Simpson as Perevozchenko

Jay Simpson

as Perevozchenko (2 episodes)

Jay Simpson was born on January 1, 1966 and is currently 58 years old.

Ross Armstrong

as Nikolai Gorbachenko (2 episodes)
Paulius Markevičius as Aleksandr Kudryavstev

Paulius Markevičius

as Aleksandr Kudryavstev (2 episodes)
Deividas Breivė as Soldier (Mobile Office)

Deividas Breivė

as Soldier (Mobile Office) (1 episode) , Soldier (Mobile Office) (1 episode)
Joshua Leese as Kirschenbaum

Joshua Leese

as Kirschenbaum (2 episodes)
Karolis Kasperavičius as Viktor Degtaryenko

Karolis Kasperavičius

as Viktor Degtaryenko (2 episodes)

Crew of Chernobyl

Discover the backstage crew of Chernobyl →