MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

This Insane 'Game Of Thrones' Fan Theory May Have Just Accurately Predicted Season 8

This Insane 'Game Of Thrones' Fan Theory May Have Just Accurately Predicted Season 8

Netflix’s ‘Ginny & Georgia’ Is The New-Gen ‘Gilmore Girls’, Only With A 'Dead To Me' Twist

Netflix’s ‘Ginny & Georgia’ Is The New-Gen ‘Gilmore Girls’, Only With A 'Dead To Me' Twist

Everything We Know About Emma Stone's New Series 'The Curse'

Everything We Know About Emma Stone's New Series 'The Curse'

HBO's 'Oslo' Tells The Untold Story Of A Couple Who Effectively Established Peace In The Middle East

HBO's 'Oslo' Tells The Untold Story Of A Couple Who Effectively Established Peace In The Middle East

{headline}

{headline}

Keira Knightley's New Show Channels 'The Great Gatsby' (But With Much More Mystery)

Keira Knightley's New Show Channels 'The Great Gatsby' (But With Much More Mystery)

'Game Of Thrones' Actress Dame Diana Rigg Dies At The Age Of 82

'Game Of Thrones' Actress Dame Diana Rigg Dies At The Age Of 82

15 Best-Selling Books That Are Getting Screen Adaptions

15 Best-Selling Books That Are Getting Screen Adaptions

{headline}

{headline}

Sorry, But Dan And Blair Were The Best Couple On 'Gossip Girl' And You Can't Convince Me Otherwise

Sorry, But Dan And Blair Were The Best Couple On 'Gossip Girl' And You Can't Convince Me Otherwise

Meet The Australian Director Behind 'Killing Eve'

Meet The Australian Director Behind 'Killing Eve'

Why Tasia Zalar Is Our Girl Of The Moment

Why Tasia Zalar Is Our Girl Of The Moment

Hilary Duff Hints At 'Lizzie McGuire' Reboot Drama

Hilary Duff Hints At 'Lizzie McGuire' Reboot Drama

Clinique Announces Emilia Clarke As Its First-Ever Celebrity Ambassador

Clinique Announces Emilia Clarke As Its First-Ever Celebrity Ambassador

Blake Lively To Star In New Series Dubbed As 'Gossip Girl' 2.0

Blake Lively To Star In New Series Dubbed As 'Gossip Girl' 2.0

Netflix Has Officially Released Its Most Popular Titles Of 2019

Netflix Has Officially Released Its Most Popular Titles Of 2019

  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

Everything You Need To Know About Chernobyl, HBO's Insanely Popular New Show

Why you need to be watching Chernobyl right now - by Francesca Wallace
  • 29 May 2019
Everything You Need To Know About Chernobyl, HBO's Insanely Popular New Show

Once Game Of Thrones finished and we were left in a world without Daenerys Targaryen, what was a die hard HBO fan with a Foxtel subscription to do? Binge on Chernobyl, naturally.

As the newest miniseries from HBO, Chernobyl follows the real events of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, when a nuclear facility exploded in what was a then-Ukrainian city in the Soviet Union. It’s since become the highest rated show in history on IMDB, beating out Game Of Thrones, Breaking Bad and even Planet Earth for the top score. So, what’s the big deal?

What is Chernobyl about?

Chernobyl follows the story of scientists Valery Legasov (played by Jared Harris) and Ulana Khomyuk (Emily Watson) and politician Boris Shcherbina (Stellan Skarsgård) as they follow the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which is considered one of the worst man made catastrophes in the history of humankind. The blast, which saw the nuclear core completely exposed, saw about 100,000 die of long term health effects and the entire surrounding precinct evacuated forever.

How much of HBO’s Chernobyl is based on the truth?

The main story is the truth, but with a bit of artistic liberty. The main scientist, Valery, didn’t get woken up in the middle of the night. In fact, he found out about the disaster at that first meeting where he was invited as an expert. He also had a family, and his daughter has since spoken out about his tapes, which were real explained his experience of the explosion and the events following.

The character of Ulana is fictional, and instead draws on the experiences of many scientists working on the accident. So no, she didn’t burst in and save the day. In fact, some experts have questioned in there were any female scientists involved at all.

There were a few other small changes, including the crash of the helicopter, which actually happened two weeks after the event, not days later. Likewise, the claim that contaminated groundwater could wipe out most of Eastern Europe was an artistic hyperbole, with producers telling Variety it was “an exaggeration.” 

Where can I watch Chernobyl in Australia?

Like with Game Of Thrones, the only (legal) way to watch Chernobyl is via Foxtel.

What were the long lasting effects of the Chernobyl explosion?

The long term health effects of the Chernobyl explosion were severe. According to reports, up to 90 per cent of local children developed cancer, and 5 per cent of adults. An estimated 100,000 people died due to radiation. Animals in the Chernobyl exclusion zone are famously deformed. And although you can visit the Pripyat power station today, radiation levels aren’t safe to stay long. People who work inside the tourist site can only work for three weeks before having time off, and visitors can’t stay longer than a few hours close to the power station. You can read up on the current radiation levels here. 

Francesca Wallace
Francesca Wallace
Francesca is our Senior Digital Fashion Editor. She can most likely be found eating a big bowl of fries (don’t forget the aioli!), watching something trashy on TV or spending all her money online shopping. She’s interviewed everyone from Nicole Kidman to Kendall Jenner but didn't get a single good photo.

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

When you subscribe to marie claire.

Subscribe Now
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

When you subscribe to marie claire.

Subscribe Now
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

This Insane 'Game Of Thrones' Fan Theory May Have Just Accurately Predicted Season 8

This Insane 'Game Of Thrones' Fan Theory May Have Just Accurately Predicted Season 8

Netflix’s ‘Ginny & Georgia’ Is The New-Gen ‘Gilmore Girls’, Only With A 'Dead To Me' Twist

Netflix’s ‘Ginny & Georgia’ Is The New-Gen ‘Gilmore Girls’, Only With A 'Dead To Me' Twist

Everything We Know About Emma Stone's New Series 'The Curse'

Everything We Know About Emma Stone's New Series 'The Curse'

HBO's 'Oslo' Tells The Untold Story Of A Couple Who Effectively Established Peace In The Middle East

HBO's 'Oslo' Tells The Untold Story Of A Couple Who Effectively Established Peace In The Middle East

{headline}

{headline}

Keira Knightley's New Show Channels 'The Great Gatsby' (But With Much More Mystery)

Keira Knightley's New Show Channels 'The Great Gatsby' (But With Much More Mystery)

'Game Of Thrones' Actress Dame Diana Rigg Dies At The Age Of 82

'Game Of Thrones' Actress Dame Diana Rigg Dies At The Age Of 82

15 Best-Selling Books That Are Getting Screen Adaptions

15 Best-Selling Books That Are Getting Screen Adaptions

{headline}

{headline}

Sorry, But Dan And Blair Were The Best Couple On 'Gossip Girl' And You Can't Convince Me Otherwise

Sorry, But Dan And Blair Were The Best Couple On 'Gossip Girl' And You Can't Convince Me Otherwise

Meet The Australian Director Behind 'Killing Eve'

Meet The Australian Director Behind 'Killing Eve'

Why Tasia Zalar Is Our Girl Of The Moment

Why Tasia Zalar Is Our Girl Of The Moment

Hilary Duff Hints At 'Lizzie McGuire' Reboot Drama

Hilary Duff Hints At 'Lizzie McGuire' Reboot Drama

Clinique Announces Emilia Clarke As Its First-Ever Celebrity Ambassador

Clinique Announces Emilia Clarke As Its First-Ever Celebrity Ambassador

Blake Lively To Star In New Series Dubbed As 'Gossip Girl' 2.0

Blake Lively To Star In New Series Dubbed As 'Gossip Girl' 2.0

Netflix Has Officially Released Its Most Popular Titles Of 2019

Netflix Has Officially Released Its Most Popular Titles Of 2019

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Instyle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

Shop This Offer
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*