7 Reasons Why You Should Be Watching Chernobyl

Much like the majority of HBO’s flagship shows, there isn’t a single lead actor here, but instead a collection of A & B listers blended together into a standout cast. All of them shine in various moments, but if there’s one performance that might convince you to watch, it’s Stellan Skarsgaard.

Along with Jared Harris, he’s the biggest name attached, and both have a similar amount of screen time and lines, often together. It might seem harsh on Harris then that Skarsgaard is the one getting special recognition here, but where Harris is successful, Skarsgaard excels.

He disappears into the role; often he plays characters who are dry, neurotic or a bit of a pushover. In Chernobyl though, he’s ferocious, menacing; every inch the high ranking Soviet with a Cold War shoot first ask questions never attitude.

With the already taut pacing and grisly atmosphere, Skarsgaard keeps the audience constantly on edge. For the setting and the story, he marks a note perfect casting pick.

He’s perhaps not a megastar name that will bring viewers in the their droves, but with a performance like this, he probably should be.