HBO's 5-Part Historical Drama Is A Perfect Miniseries From Start To Finish

Chernobyl arrived on HBO quietly in 2019. However, it quickly established itself as one of the most powerful pieces of prestige television ever produced, distinguishing itself as a miniseries where every episode is a 10/10. Created by Craig Mazin and directed by Johan Renck, the five-part historical miniseries is hard viewing, but it is still a must-watch. It dramatizes the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster with thematic authenticity.

The Chernobyl miniseries’ episodes are strong throughout and examine all aspects of the tragedy, from the catastrophic explosion at Reactor No. 4 to the systemic lies, bureaucratic fear, and human cost that turned an accident into a global tragedy. As a result, audiences got a masterpiece of a miniseries.

Chernobyl Is A Perfect Miniseries From Start To Finish

What makes Chernobyl so effective is its ability to keep the story tightly structured. Each episode has a focused purpose. “1:23:45” captures the chaos and denial of the immediate aftermath. “Open Wide, O Earth” forces viewers to confront the biological reality of radiation exposure, particularly through the firefighter Vasily Ignatenko and his wife Lyudmilla.

These sequences, though difficult to witness, anchor the series at a human level. Chernobyl's formula blends procedural detail with close-up terror. Scientists debate core temperatures and RBMK reactor flaws while miners dig beneath a melting reactor. Soldiers are ordered to shoot irradiated animals.

Importantly, these moments don't feel gratuitous, despite their brutality; they demonstrate how ordinary people were forced into extraordinary sacrifice.

Performances further elevate the series. Jared Harris portrays Legasov as a man crushed by knowledge. Stellan Skarsgård’s Boris Shcherbina evolves from party loyalist to reluctant truth-teller. Emily Watson’s Ulana Khomyuk, though a composite character, represents the collective effort of Soviet scientists fighting political suppression. These choices have been openly acknowledged by both Mazin and Chernobyl historians.

Many critics have highlighted Chernobyl's courtroom finale as one of the series’ most powerful episodes, describing it as horrifying, masterful television.

Chernobyl Deserved All The Awards It Received

Critics responded overwhelmingly positively to Chernobyl, a response reflected in its 95% Rotten Tomatoes score. Much of the praise centered on the show’s restraint, realism, and moral urgency. Most importantly, Chernobyl respected its audience. It trusted viewers to follow complex scientific explanations and sit with moral discomfort.

The industry response matched the critical acclaim. Chernobyl won 10 Primetime Emmy Awards from 19 nominations, including Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, and Outstanding Directing. Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson all received acting nominations, underscoring the show’s ensemble strength.

At the Golden Globes, the series won Best Limited Series or Television Film, while Stellan Skarsgård took home Best Supporting Actor. The show also dominated the BAFTA Television Awards, winning Best Mini-Series and Best Leading Actor for Jared Harris.

Hildur Guðnadóttir’s score, composed using recordings captured inside active nuclear power plants, plays a crucial role in shaping the series’ oppressive atmosphere. The music went on to earn Guðnadóttir an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition, complementing the show’s separate Emmy win for sound design.

Chernobyl’s success comes down to its confidence in messaging. The series maintains a clear thematic focus and never loses sight of the message it aims to convey. By combining historical rigor, emotional gravity, and disciplined storytelling, HBO delivered a historical miniseries that continues to be held as a benchmark years later. Few shows feel as complete and necessary as Chernobyl.