"The Zelensky Story" tells the incredible story of Volodymyr Zelensky, from entertainer playing the Ukrainian President in the hit TV show "Servant of the People", to actual Ukrainian President and his role in defending his country after an invasion by Vladimir Putin's Russia.
Here's how to watch "The Zelensky Story" from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.
"The Zelensky Story" will stream on BBC iPlayer from Wednesday, September 4 at 6.a.m. BST
• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
Apart from Zelensky himself, the list of interviewees in this three-part documentary include his wife, First Lady Olena, former British PM Boris Johnson and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi but also those who progressed his early career as an entertainer, his old school friends and colleagues, Ukrainian politicians and the other key players in the war with Russia.
The three episodes reveal the influences on the subject's life such as the Maidan Revolution and the 2014 Crimean Crisis and put the viewer in the room at pivotal moments such as the infamous phone call with Donald Trump, the opening moments of the Russian invasion and Zelensky's response as well as subsequent attempts to broker a peace deal.
The ultimate example of life imitating art? Read on and we'll reveal how to watch "The Zelensky Story" online and from anywhere.
Watch 'The Zelensky Story' for FREE
Watch 'The Zelensky Story' from abroad
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "The Zelensky Story" should be available to Brits no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you find yourself. Our favorite is NordVPN.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view your usual U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to BBC iPlayer and watch "The Zelensky Story."
Watch around the world
Can I watch 'The Zelensky Story' in the U.S.?
There are currently no plans to air "The Zelensky Story" in the U.S. right now, although Freemantle is said to be in the process of 'selling the show globally'.
However, if you are a Brit in the States on work or vacation you can watch the documentary by using a VPN such as NordVPN, choosing U.K. from the list and heading to BBC iPlayer.
How to watch 'The Zelensky Story' in the U.K.
If you live in the U.K. then "The Zelensky Story" will stream on BBC iPlayer from Wednesday, September 4 at 6 a.m. BST.
If you're not in the U.K., you can still catch the show by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
Prefer to watch on linear TV? All three parts will also air on BBC Two:
- Episode 1 – Wednesday, September 4 at 9 p.m. BST
- Episode 2 – Wednesday, September 11 at 9 p.m. BST
- Episode 3 – TBC (likely Wednesday, September 18 at 9 p.m. BST at 9 p.m. BST)
Can I watch 'The Zelensky Story' in Canada?
As with the U.S. there are currently no plans to air "The Zelensky Story" in Canada but if you are a Brit in the Great White North on work or vacation you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'The Zelensky Story' in Australia?
There is no confirmed broadcast slot for "The Zelensky Story" in Australia but if you are Down Under on work or vacation and hold a British TV license you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
'The Zelensky Story' episode guide (2024)
EPISODE 1
With unique access to Volodymyr Zelensky and Olena Zelenska, this episode charts Zelensky’s extraordinary journey from aspiring comedian to president of his country. Opening with the collapse of the Soviet Union – an event which had a profound effect on Zelensky and Vladimir Putin in very different ways – to the Maidan Revolution sparking a political awakening in Zelensky, this episode explores his role as the Ukrainian president in the hit TV show Servant of the People and his decision to run for president in real life.
EPISODE 2
After the high of his election victory, Zelensky is forced to face political reality. Using in-depth interviews with Zelensky, his wife Olena Zelenska and their closest advisors, this episode puts viewers inside the room as Zelensky grapples with what it means to be the leader of a country. From Zelensky’s infamous phone call with Donald Trump to his only meeting with Vladimir Putin in Paris, the former comedian has a brutal initiation into the ruthless world of power politics. As Putin becomes increasingly belligerent and the drumbeat of war grows louder, Zelensky is under a huge amount of pressure. Is Ukraine prepared for war? Is he up to the job?
EPISODE 3
Opening in the first hours of the Russian invasion, this final episode follows explores how Zelensky used the skills he’d honed as an entertainer to galvanise people, as well as taking viewers inside Ukraine’s peace negotiations with Russia. And the Zelenskys reveal what happened in the first hours of the Russian invasion, open up about the realities of living through war and the difficulty of making life and death decisions.
'The Zelensky Story' - Contributors
- Volodymyr Zelensky - President of Ukraine
- Olena Zelenska - First Lady of Ukraine
- Luke Harding - Foreign Correspondent, The Guardian
- Ben Wallace - UK Defence Secretary 2019 - 23
- Oleksandr Pikalov - Zelensky’s childhood friend, and collaborator in Kvartal 95 Comedy Troop
- Vadim Pereverzev - Zelensky’s childhood friend, and collaborator in Kvartal 95 Comedy Troop
- Olena Kravets - Zelensky’s childhood friend, and collaborator in Kvartal 95 Comedy Troop
- Nancy Pelosi - Speaker, US House of Representatives 2019-23
- Amanda Sloat - Special Advisor to President Biden
- Dmytro Kuleba - Ukrainian Foreign Minister
- Alexander Rodnyansky - Ukrainian TV Mogul and Zelensky’s mentor when an actor
- Sir Roderic Lyne - UK Ambassador to Russia 2000 – 04
- Boris Johnson - Former Prime Minister UK 2019 – 23
- Oleksiy Danilov - Ukrainian National Security Advisor, 2019 – 24
- Yuri Kostiuk - Scriptwriter, ‘Servant of the People’ with Kvartal-95
- Davyd Arakhamia - Leader of Zelensky’s ruling party, and Lead negotiator with Russia early in the war
- Andriy Yermak - Head of the Office of the President
- Aleksey Kiryushchenko - Director, ‘Servant of the People’
- Iuliia Mendel - Zelensky’s Press Secretary 2019 - 21
- Kurt Volker - US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations, 2017 - 19
- Ruslan Stefanchuk - Ukrainian Parliament Chairman
- Mykhailo Podolyak - Adviser to the President of Ukraine
- Simon Shuster - Foreign Correspondent, TIME Magazine
'The Zelensky Story' FAQ
What are the key Zelensky quotes from "The Zelensky Story"?
On his dreams as a child [episode 1]
“I was very free. It's the end of Soviet Union. Young people, what they want? They want to be free, they wanted to see the planet. And to go where? Everywhere. You just want to meet, speak, and your eyes are big, and of course, I wanted to find me in this big world. Of course my parents wanted me to be, you know, er, calm, to be calm, yes, and to study and that's it. I found time for everything. [Laughs] Freedom, it's a great thing, freedom.”
On meeting his wife, Olena [episode 1]
“One of the best, I think, moments in my life, when I met my wife. I just looked at her and I think I just loved. I saw her at school.”
On Putin’s psychology: [episode 2]
“Putin, I think he's not alone, I think there are some – some similar guys in the world, but not everybody has such, you know, such chance for their selves. To open all their, you know, negative or all their evil dreams. Yes. That is the problem, that the West didn’t recognise him before, and didn’t stop him.”
On being a comedian, then the president: [episode 3]
“I brought from those times to this job, this communication with the people, because you have to try. I really loved people, because I communicated with them. And if you don’t love, you will be tired….”
On making decisions which are likely to lead to the death of men and women [episode 3]
“That is the most difficult, the biggest difficulties in my life. Because when I – when you -make some such decisions, for me it’s difficult always. I have a lot of questions to myself. And there are some questions on which I didn’t get ‘til now answers. All these questions are about life. I saw this – I remember these people, a lot of them. I saw a lot of parents, a lot of them. I gave orders, golden stars for the heroic deaths of these – of the children, or of their husbands and wives, and that – that’s a big, big challenge for me, I think the biggest one.”
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