On July 2, the series "The Sovereign" premieres on Channel One and online platforms. We share our first impressions and try to figure out whether it's worth continuing to watch after such a start.

"The Sovereign" is a large-scale historical drama dedicated to the life and reforms of Peter I, one of the most controversial and influential rulers in Russian history.

From the very first episodes, the viewer is immersed in the atmosphere of the late 17th to early 18th century, when Russia stood on the threshold of grand transformations. The plot spans three decades of Peter's life. The creators focus not only on state reforms but also on the monarch's personal drama: his inner struggles, betrayals, encounters, friendships, and love.

The creators paid special attention to the formation of Peter's character, his relationships with his mother, Tsarevna Sophia, and his closest associates. The main goal was to show the viewer not only the tsar-reformer but also a living person capable of deep feelings and doubts, and most importantly, of making mistakes.

The lead role is played by Konstantin Plotnikov, for whom this is the first embodiment of such a large-scale historical figure. His performance is marked by restrained expressiveness and inner strength: he convincingly conveys youthful uncertainty, curiosity, and a desire to learn new things. But even from the first episodes, we see a mature and strong Peter I. In some shots, the portrait resemblance is even striking, and Konstantin's work on the character is admirable.

Plotnikov, by his own admission, carefully prepared for the role, studying Peter's correspondence with his loved ones to portray him precisely as a human being.

The role of Alexander Menshikov is played by Evgeny Tkachuk, who adds charisma and charm to the image of Peter's loyal associate. Believe me, throughout the first episodes, you will enjoy the moments when this character appears on screen. It is especially pleasant to watch Evgeny on horseback. According to Konstantin Ernst, it took him five minutes to approve Evgeny for this role, as there could be no doubt.

Svetlana Kolpakova (Tsarevna Sophia) and Natalya Surkova (Natalya Kirillovna, Peter's mother) managed to portray complex female characters that influenced the formation of the future emperor.

Filming took place in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and specially built sets recreating the architecture and life of 17th–18th century Russia. The visual aspect of the series is impressive: meticulously crafted costumes, large-scale battle scenes, attention to interior details and street locations create a complete immersion in the era. Of course, it is also admirable to understand what a large-scale Moskino complex was built and how many more films will be created there in the future.

Director Sergey Ginzburg emphasizes the pursuit of historical truth, although he admits the impossibility of covering Peter's entire biography within a single series. The script organically combines real historical events and artistic interpretation of the tsar's personality. Special attention is paid to the causes and consequences of Peter's key decisions, as well as their impact on the country's fate.

It is also worth noting that the script used the novel "Peter I" by Alexei Tolstoy. Already in the first episodes, you can see some scenes, so we can safely say that the series is partly an adaptation, and a masterful one at that.

So, we can say that the first episodes of "The Sovereign" make a strong and positive impression, thanks to a combination of historical accuracy, deep character development, and visual scope. The series not only tells about great reforms and victories but also invites the viewer to reflect on the price of power, the complexities of personal choice, and the role of the individual in history. So all that remains is to wish that the project finds its audience, as it clearly deserves attention among the historical projects that are so actively being produced now.