Entertainment

TV comedy that launched Ukrainian president back on Netflix

In the 2015 series, Zelensky plays a teacher who becomes president after a video of him complaining about corruption goes viral

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 18 Mar 2022 6:10PM

TV comedy that launched Ukrainian president back on Netflix
In this handout picture taken late on March 17, and released by the Ukrainian Presidency Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a video address in Kyiv. – AFP pic, March 18, 2022

THE comedy satire in which Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly becomes Ukraine's president, his now war-time job in real life, is back on Netflix.

The resurrection of the TV series Servant of the People comes amid a global outpouring of praise for the former comedian now leading his outgunned country's fight against the Russian invasion.

"You asked and it's back," Netflix tweeted.


On Tuesday Zelensky received a standing ovation as he addressed the US Congress via video link with an impassioned plea for more weaponry and the establishment of a no-fly zone to help Ukraine survive the Russian invasion, which began February 24.

In the 2015 series, Zelensky, who is now 44, plays a teacher who unexpectedly becomes president after a video of him complaining about corruption goes viral.

It was a huge hit in Ukraine and launched Zelensky's career in politics. He was elected president in 2019 as the star of a party with the same name as the TV series. He got more than 70% of the votes.

The French-German TV channel Arte has been airing Servant of the People online since November 19, citing huge interest.

Since the first days of the invasion, channels that have acquired the rights to air the series include Channel 4 in Britain, ANT 1 in Greece and PRO TV in Romania.

The series was first on Netflix from 2017 to 2021. – AFP, March 18, 2022

Related News

Malaysia / 4d

Dr M: Minor offenders punished, those who steal millions freed, given high positions

Film / 1mth

Netflix film with Mark Wahlberg a major boost to Penang’s international profile

World / 2y

Aid for Ukraine held hostage by US politics

Our Planet / 2y

Wildlife destroyed: The overlooked ‘ecocide’ of the war in Ukraine

World / 2y

Malaysian combatants acting for Russia among mercenaries warned by Ukraine

Malaysia / 2y

Najib wants ‘Man on the run’ to be removed from Netflix

Spotlight

Malaysia

Elderly man admits to hitting neighbour with iron rod

Malaysia

Body found at KLIA2 in tyre storage compartment of aircraft from Japan

Malaysia

Factory operator faces rape, unnatural sex charges involving polytechnic student

Malaysia

Ismail Sabri granted RM300k bail after pleading not guilty to asset declaration charge

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Sunway Lagoon ride halted as safety probe seeks to protect public - DOSH

Malaysia

Malaysia ready to deploy military expertise for Nepal flood relief, says Defence Minister

Malaysia

Violence in Thailand: Visitors drop by almost 50 per cent

By Ian McIntyre