A Russian student accidentally uncovers a conspiracy and ends up in solitary. Patriotism or survival?
Season 1 • Episode 8
LatestMaria Zhukova is invited to study in the USA. During her studies, Maria accidentally learns information that calls into question all her ideals and beliefs. Starting her own investigation, she finds out that she is involved in a big multi-way game related to the threat to Russia's security. Taking the risk and obtaining evidence, Zhukova does not have time to leave the United States, and she is arrested. The girl ends up in prison — with a long stay in solitary confinement, psychological pressure, torture and interrogations by the FBI, persuading her to stay in the United States and condemn Russia.
Acting
Mariya Lopatina's solitary confinement breakdowns are devastating
Direction
Kopylov's claustrophobic framing makes rooms feel like traps
Creator
Igor Kopylov
Mariya Lopatina
Мария Жукова
Makar Zaporozhskiy
Игорь Колесников
Ivan Fedoruk
Кельвин Хьюз
Yuriy Baturin
Урлтер Эмерсон
Aleksandr Dyachenko
Патрик Шелл
Ekaterina Zorina
Сильвия
Polina Sidikhina
Нэнси Белл
Maxim Dakhnenko
Хантер Строк
Roman Ageev
Стивен Ллойд
Dmitry Lavrov
Майкл Диплан
Igor Botvin
конгрессмен
Dmitriy Sutyrin
генерал Ильин
Liza Martines
Трейси
Kirill Staritsyn
сутенёр
Victoria Pierre-Marie
Пейдж
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The series sparked debate in Russian media about whether it sensationalizes or exposes real FSB-FBI recruitment patterns.
Director Kopylov based the solitary confinement sequences on documented accounts from actual Maria Butina's detention.
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