New Russian Melodrama 'Kru... Next steps involved detail about the evolution of the series, including key quotes from the cast and director.
On Monday, March 3, 2025, the highly anticipated melodrama, Kruzi na Vode, launched on the Rossiya 1 channel. Produced by the studio 'Edinstvenny Dubly,' this ten-part series tells the poignant story of two passionate lovers battling societal expectations and familial pressures to keep their relationship alive.
Raya Vetrov, played by Aleksandra Khamova, faces severe personal challenges as her father, Andrei Vetrov, becomes gravely ill. To finance his costly medical treatment, she is forced to abandon her studies at medical school and take up work as a cleaner. It is during one of these cleaning jobs in luxurious apartments where she meets Pavel Olkhovskiy, portrayed by Andrei Gryzlov, the wealthy heir of a powerful business empire.
Initially, their romance blossoms with the sparkling chemistry typical of young love, but complications arise when Pavel's mother, the formidable businesswoman, Ingrid Olkhovskaya (Tatiana Kolganova), intervenes. Having ambitious wedding plans for her son with Aadelina, the daughter of her business rival, she enlists the help of Victor Danilov (Sergey Yushkevich), their firm’s lawyer, to devise plans to separate the young couple.
Director Maxim Demchenko describes the script’s compelling drama as setting out immediately to depict the age-old battle between good and evil, saying, "The conflict erupts right from the first episode, showing characters who are multifaceted rather than merely black and white." He believes the show’s quick pacing from the very start is pivotal, marking it as the first project he’s taken on where such immediate confrontations are at the forefront.
Demchenko reflects, "The cynical characters manage to evolve through the series, and even positive figures make questionable choices at times." This complexity allows insights to be drawn about human nature and flawed motivations. Taking on the leading role, Khamova noted, "At first, I thought this would be a light romantic comedy, but reading the entire script revealed the depth of human suffering addressed throughout the story. It became apparent to me this would be both a personal and professional challenge, as I would need to convey my character's growth throughout various difficult scenarios."
The cast's experience features stalwarts of Russian cinema such as Bukhrov and Kolganova and promising young talents like Khamova and Gryzlov, creating an energetic ensemble. Khamova's initial thoughts on the project show her surprise at the series’ darker twists, noting, "Initially, I viewed it as simply another tale about love. It wasn't until I delved deeply scenario by scenario I recognized the hardships presented were significant. My character’s resilience as she faces life’s unfairness was invigorative for me to portray, underscoring beautifully human love and vulnerability."
Through each episode, viewers witness how relationships strain under pressure and how love can triumph against insurmountable odds. Filmed against the stunning backdrop of Saint Petersburg, the serial's cinematography brings life to the characters’ emotional journeys, marking it as both visually engaging and narratively immersive.
The series, airing its full ten episodes from Monday through Thursday this week, can be streamed online free and is available to audiences eager to experience this powerful new narrative. Whether it's the thrill of forbidden love or the emotional turmoil of familial obligations, Kruzi na Vode promises to captivate viewers throughout this week.
Don't miss each episode airing daily until Thursday, transforming evenings with heartfelt storytelling drawn from the heart of the human experience.