HBO & Sky Order Chernobyl Drama

Sky and HBO have unveiled Chernobyl, based on real-life events, as the first commission from their previously announced drama partnership.

The five-part miniseries will dramatize the true story of one of the worst manmade catastrophes in history and the brave men and women who made sacrifices during the nuclear plant disaster that occurred in Ukraine in April 1986. Jared Harris (The Crown, Mad Men) will star.

Chernobyl is being produced by Sister Pictures and The Mighty Mint. The series will be shown on Sky Atlantic in the U.K. and Ireland and will be available later on Sky Atlantic and TV streaming service NOW TV in those countries, and on Sky Atlantic in Italy, Germany and Austria.

Gary Davey, the managing director of content at Sky, said: “In Chernobyl, Craig Mazin has achieved something unique—his script is second to none, effortlessly combining the visceral, the tragic and the heroic perspectives behind this devastating event. The scale of the production makes it a perfect first project for our co-production partnership with HBO, encapsulating our ambition to develop high-end drama with international viewpoints and casting. We look forward to working closely with HBO to bring this important story to Sky Atlantic viewers.”

Kary Antholis, the president of HBO miniseries and Cinemax programming, said: “From the moment Craig Mazin pitched us the story, we were convinced that this all-too-true tale of horror and redemption needed to be told. It will engage—and enrage—our viewers, as well as audiences around the world.”