A new OU/BBC three-part programme charting the journey of President Zelensky from young actor and entertainer to one of the most recognisable leaders on the planet airs on Wednesday 4 September.
In the first episode of The Zelensky Story, being aired at 9pm on BBC Two, we see how the former comic actor went from playing the fictional president on TV to assuming the role in real life. Now he presides over a nation at war with Putin’s Russia.
The OU’s Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies who specialises in communication, misinformation, and security, particularly in Russia, was one of the consultants on the programme.
It also features interviews with Zelensky’s wife, Olena Zelenska, and the opening episode shows the collapse of the Soviet Union.
It was an event that had a profound effect on Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin in very different ways. The episode features rarely seen footage of Putin in the early 1990s describing the collapse of the USSR as a “tragedy”.
Dr Chatterje-Doody said:
“It was a great privilege to be involved in this programme, which is based on first-hand access to Zelensky and the people who have known him throughout his life.
“I am hoping that the programme will help audiences find out more not just about the man himself, but also the largest country in Europe.
“There’s a temptation to think about Ukraine in relation to Russia, but the Ukrainians are a proud people with their own history and traditions.
“For me, the most exciting part of my involvement was having an opportunity to create an online resource to accompany the series. It introduces 12 people from historical times to the present day, whose stories help to tell the story of Ukraine as a country.”
If you are interested in an Introduction to Ukrainian Language and Culture visit a free course on the subject on our OpenLearn site.
This series was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, with particular relevance to:
R83 | BA (Honours) International Relations | Open University Degree, Q45 | BA (Hons) Politics Philosophy and Economics (open.ac.uk)and Q11 – BA (Hons) in International Studies
- Commissioned by: Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast and Partnerships
- Academic Consultant: Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody
- Media Fellow: Professor Zoe Walkington
- Broadcast Project Manager: Poppy Ross
- Supporting Online Content: Xinmiao Zhang
Supporting Online content:
Visit our Broadcast website OU Connect where you can explore an interactive that showcases twelve more fascinating and influential figures whose stories have shaped Ukraine.
Picture credit: Leo Fawkes for 72 Films Ltd
