Netflix Announces ‘Anna K,’ its First Original Russian Series

Netflix has announced its first Russian Original drama series ANNA K (Working Title). Svetlana Khodchenkova (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) is set to play Anna Karenina.

ANNA K is a lavish, contemporary retelling of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel “Anna Karenina”, one of the most well-known novels around the world. The series is set in modern-day Russia, where socialite Anna Karenina, the wife of the soon-to-become governor of St. Petersburg, enters a life-changing love affair with Vronsky, the dashing heir of an aluminum empire. Their affair quickly careens out of control, threatening the delicate balance of their familial bonds and social relationships. Set between cosmopolitan Moscow, historic St. Petersburg, and Russia’s rugged countryside, the drama explores themes of passion, loyalty, and the irrefutable truth that no amount of riches can save us from love’s ability to either free us or bring us to our doom. 

“We are incredibly proud to announce our first Russian series with 1-2-3 Production. The talented team of writers, directors, and producers have crafted an imaginative and immersive series,” said Michael Azzolino, Director Original Series, Netflix “We are excited to help bring their vision for this much-admired story to our members in Russia and the world.”  

Valeriy Fedorovich, Evgeniy Nikishov, and Roman Kantor will serve as directors as well as producers. Natasha Merkulova and Aleksey Chupov will also direct few episodes in the series. Sergey Kornikhin will also produce.

Valeriy Fedorovich and Evgeniy Nikishov from 1-2-3 Production said, “We are extremely honored that our team has been entrusted with the creation of the first commissioned Russian TV drama series for the leading global entertainment service with over 200 million members. This endeavor is beyond exciting and challenging, but since the backbone of the future series is based on one of the world’s fundamental pieces of literature dedicated to love, we are hopeful that we will be able to touch the hearts of viewers from Australia to Brazil. We are armed with a great script adaptation by Roman Kantor and Maria Mikulina and top talent both in front and behind the camera, including co-directors Natasha Merkulova and Aleksey Chupov. We fully trust our team and are confident that the result will exceed expectations. It is our first experience working hand-in-hand with the Netflix team, and we are very inspired by the synergy we’ve already established and what will come out of it.”

“To bring Anna Karenina into 21st-century Russia and to simultaneously introduce her to the whole world in her own language (and many others) through the miracle of Netflix is a dream come true for me. Quite literally so, as the idea for this tv series came to me in a dream and I have been chasing it ever since,” said Roman Kantor.

“We are really proud to be a part of one of the first Netflix projects in Russia - it is a big honor and a huge responsibility. To rephrase the famous quote, it is a small step for our company, but a huge step for the whole industry,” said Sergey Kornikhin.

The series will film in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, the premiere date is yet to be announced.