Ukrainian TV shows on Netflix: 10 series worth watching

If a Ukrainian series is bought by Netflix, one of the world’s largest streaming services, it is undoubtedly a sign of quality and a guide to action — the show is worth watching. This article contains 10 of the best Ukrainian series that you can and should watch on Netflix. Among them are projects about modern Ukraine, life during the war, as well as about history, ordinary people, relationships, love, and teenagers, that is, for every taste.

There Will Be People / “І будуть люди”, 2020, 1 сезон

The plot focuses on ordinary Ukrainians living through the turbulent stages of the 20th century: The First World War, the Revolution, and the rise of Soviet rule. Each of the characters faces difficult changes and trials in their own way, from the point of view of their truth. They are all united by the desire to live, love and find their place in a new dimension of history.

The series was filmed by the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine. It consists of 12 episodes and dramatic fates of 12 main characters.

I am Nadia / “Я – Надія”, 2023, 1 сезон

This miniseries was the first Ukrainian project about the work of military medics during the war with Russia. The filming was completed on the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukrainian territory by enemy troops. The series is based on real events — the story of a 22-year-old paramedic from Kharkiv, Anna Andriushchenko.

The protagonist of the project lives in a region where hostilities are taking place. A young woman doctor refuses to be evacuated along with the rest of the population and stays in the city to perform her medical duties — to help the military and civilians.

The First Days / “Перші дні”, 2023, 1 сезон

The show can be considered a kind of anthology of the lives of Ukrainians during the events that took place at the beginning of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Each episode is a small part of the wartime life of very real characters.

The protagonists are forced to save themselves, protect their loved ones, and preserve their humanity and faith in victory. For example, Olga is forced to live with two men at once — her current and former husbands — under one roof, along with their children. Maksym finds himself in the middle of the war, having stayed at his job at the zoo, where he cannot leave. A homeless man who lives in a car provides assistance to local organizations, and a boy named Yegor calms himself by imagining that he shoots down missiles like birds. German Klaus comes to Kyiv to find his girlfriend and becomes a volunteer.

The Master / “Хазяїн”, 2022, 1 сезон

The miniseries was created based on the famous work of the classic Ukrainian writer Ivan Karpenko-Kary. It reveals the eternal themes of conflict between parents and children. The project’s director Taras Tkachenko brought the events into the present and invited the most famous actors of the country: Olga Sumska and Bohdan Benyuk to play the roles of parents.

The plot: after returning home from studying at Harvard, a girl tries to understand the working methods of her famous and influential father, and discovers a lot of unpleasant things. Raised in love and respect, Sonya does not immediately dare to go against her father’s interests.

Crazy Neighbours / “Скажені сусіди”, 2022, 2 сезони

The Ukrainian comedy series is a continuation of the Crazy Wedding franchise. It features the same characters that viewers have come to love and new funny stories from the lives of Yablunivka residents.

Vasyl and Galina Serdyuk are a happy-married couple. Their children’s weddings are over, and they have managed to get rid of their unloved neighbor. It’s time to enjoy life. But can it really be that easy? Unfortunately for Vasyl, he has to confront two Taras at the same time: the already familiar Taras Kryzhanivsky and his former classmate Taras Blashchykovsky, who, ironically, has become Oksana’s new husband…

To Catch the Kaidash / “Спіймати Кайдаша”, 2020, 1 сезон

This show is one of the top-rated Ukrainian series on Netflix in the drama and comedy genre. The project has a solid literary and historical foundation — it is based on the novel Kaidash’s Family by Ivan Nechuy-Levytsky, a classic of Ukrainian drama and comedy, but in a modern setting.

The 12-episode project takes place from 2005 to 2014 and covers the decade of Ukraine’s independence. The plot of the series is centered on the confrontation between Marusya Kaydash and the young brides she tries to get along with under one roof.

Mama / “Мама”, 2021, 2 сезони

The eight-episode drama tells about the events in the occupied Donbas in 2014. The plot is centered on the touching story of Nina Petrivna, a resident of Zhytomyr, who sent her only son Vasyl to war.

When she finds out about his capture, she takes a desperate step — she goes in search of her son deep into enemy territory. Along the way, she will have to face disappointment, fear, despair, and many dangers in order to free her son from captivity.

Sex, Insta i ZNO / “Секс, Інста і ЗНО”, 2020, 1 сезон

The miniseries takes place in an ordinary Vinnytsia school. Four friends face typical teenage difficulties, prepare for upcoming exams, commit their first foolish acts and, of course, fall in love.

At the same time, the election of the school president is approaching. Serious competition is brewing, and the main contenders seem ready to do anything to win.

Novenka / “Новенька”, 2019, 1 сезон

We present another interesting youth detective melodrama full of music, love, and complex problems that go far beyond the teenage years.

The plot centers on a girl named Vera, an ordinary high school student from a poor family. To help her brother, she accepts a secret assignment from the police. Vera is transferred to an elite school in Kyiv, where children from rich families study.

The police suspect the most popular student of the school of drug dealing. Vera is assigned to follow this boy and report everything to Lieutenant Lysenko. At the new school, the girl finds herself involved in complex detective intrigues and school conflicts.

Angels / “Ангели”, 2020, 2 сезони

The action series is about the work of a special unit within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, whose main task is to protect critical witnesses. The versatile fighters, who are used to taking risks and putting themselves in danger for the success of the operation, led by their supervisor Viktorovich, perform secret tasks on a daily basis. Their job is transporting securities, protecting politicians, escorting witnesses in particularly important cases, and releasing prisoners.

Outside of work, they are ordinary people with their own pasts, problems and dreams. But on duty, each of them becomes a guardian angel, whose vigilance and determination determine the fate of the client…

In this article, I’ve collected the top ten best Ukrainian TV series that you can watch on Netflix. But believe me, there are many more worthy Ukrainian films.