The Intriguing Secrets of Anna Karenina

A bold project-experiment led by director Evgeny Sangadzhiev, this series seeks the perfect cast for a new film adaptation of Anna Karenina. Through multiple episodes, viewers will meet the contenders for each role-especially Anna herself-and learn which historical figures inspired their interpretations.

Episode 2 explores Stiva and Dolly Oblonsky, whose troubled marriage sets the novel in motion. Inspired by figures from Tolstoy's life, the actors portray a family broken by infidelity. While Stiva charms without remorse, Dolly bears the weight. Their story reflects Tolstoy's idea: each unhappy family is unique.

The third episode will cover the characters Levin and Kitty. Their storyline is a novel within the novel: Levin loves Kitty, but she rejects him for Vronsky, who takes Anna's hand at the ball, making Kitty realize he will never marry her.

The fourth episode will focus on Vronsky and his prototypes. In the novel, Vronsky meets Anna when she arrives by train to save her brother's marriage. At the ball, he invites her to dance the mazurka, after which she flees Moscow. Vronsky pursues her, leading to a chain of events that ends with Anna's suicide.

The fifth episode explores Alexei Karenin's character, possibly uncovering his true feelings for Anna and his involvement in her death. One reason for his guilt is his exceptional character and temperament. Karenina always felt she could not live up to his ideals, which constantly bothered her.

Near Yasnaya Polyana in the village of Kochaki lies a church with the Tolstoy family burial site. Local legend says Anna Pirogova, buried there, inspired the character of Anna Karenina. At 32, she took her life by jumping under a train after her lover left her for a governess.