The series "Fandorin. Azazel" is launching on Kinopoisk. Hoping for the development of the franchise, we decided to immediately select the cast for the next project.
We also chose the future film/series ourselves. Since "The Turkish Gambit" and "The State Councillor" have already been adapted and the characters' images are known, we decided to fantasize about the casting for a potential adaptation of Boris Akunin's novel "Coronation, or the Last of the Novels".
You may ask, why this particular book? Its adaptation would allow not only to show a beautiful picture with historical costumes, but also to recreate the tragic atmosphere of Russia at the end of the 19th century and the Khodynka tragedy, adding scale to the film. Besides, the previous novels are not as full of events that could be adapted. And the title "Leviathan", for example, is completely associated with another film.
The Story of "Coronation"
The action of this novel takes place in 1896, on the eve and during the coronation of Emperor Nicholas II. Mikhail, the four-year-old son of Grand Duke George Alexandrovich, is kidnapped. The kidnapper, calling himself "Doctor Lind", demands as ransom the diamond "Count Orlov", which adorns the imperial scepter. But without the scepter, the coronation cannot take place. Erast Petrovich Fandorin undertakes to save the honor of the monarchy.
The events of the new project "Fandorin. Azazel" have been moved to our time. We selected actors who can play both in historical settings and in modern scenery. Why not imagine that the events of "Coronation", for example, unfold in an alternative timeline? Sherlock can, so why can't Erast Petrovich?
When selecting actors, we tried to choose both those who have already appeared on screen many times and are loved by viewers, and those for whom participation in such a project could be a breakthrough.
Cast. Main Characters
Afanasy Stepanovich Zyukin – Vladislav Vetrov
Afanasy Stepanovich is the court butler of Grand Duke George Alexandrovich. He becomes an assistant to Erast Petrovich Fandorin during the investigation of the kidnapping of Grand Duke Mikhail Georgievich.
Vladislav is remembered by many for his role as the electrician Boris in the series "Hotel Eleon". Our project will give him the opportunity to show all his acting abilities. His role in the series "Union of Salvation. Time of Wrath" showed that the actor suits a uniform, so a livery will fit as well.
Erast Petrovich Fandorin – Ivan Kolesnikov
At the time of the events, Erast Petrovich is 40 years old. Kozlovsky has clearly missed his chance to play the detective, since "The Decorator" never made it to the screen, so let's give someone else the opportunity to play the central figure. For example, Ivan Kolesnikov.
Ivan already has experience working in historical films, and he looks convincing in modern settings as well. And in terms of type, he is quite similar to the description of the hero in the book.
About halfway to the Hermitage, we met an elegant gentleman of middle age. He courteously raised his top hat, revealing smooth black hair and gray temples; he looked at Ksenia Georgievna inquisitively, but without breaching decorum, and walked past. I would not have paid any attention to this man if Her Highness had not suddenly turned around after him, followed by Mademoiselle Declique. Then I too allowed myself to look back.
The elegant gentleman walked on slowly, swinging his cane – absolutely nothing that would make a grand duchess and a governess turn around.
Mademoiselle Emilia Declique – Alena Kolomina
The governess of Grand Duke Mikhail Georgievich, who experiences the events and is ready to help in the search for her charge. A woman of European views, studying the culture of Russia.
The role of Emilia gives any actress the opportunity to show all her acting abilities. It is necessary to be both vulnerable and strong at the same time. Literally, combining good and evil.
Initially, our "casting" also included Daria Moroz and Victoria Isakova, but from the novel it is clear that Emilia is a younger girl. Alena's work in the series "Beryozka" showed that such a role would be within her capabilities.
Oh, she knew how to inspire love.
Historical Characters and Other Heroes
We selected actors for the roles of historical characters based on portrait resemblance and any previous experience in historical films. Whether we succeeded – decide for yourself.
Nikolai Alexandrovich – Daniil Vorobyov
Daniil has already played the role of Nikolai Alexandrovich in the series "Demon of the Revolution" (2017). Perhaps it's time to repeat.
Alexandra Feodorovna – Polina Malikova
Polina Malikova is an actress of the Russian State Academic Bolshoi Drama Theater named after G. A. Tovstonogov. Alexandra is the Russian Empress, wife of Nicholas II. The fourth daughter of Grand Duke Ludwig IV of Hesse and by the Rhine and Duchess Alice, daughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain. Even purely externally, this seems an extremely successful casting decision.
Ksenia Georgievna – Lyubov Konstantinova
The only daughter of Grand Duke George Alexandrovich. The historical prototype is Elena Vladimirovna Romanova. In the novel, she is 19 years old and falls in love with Erast Fandorin, who, respecting the girl, is forced to reject her feelings. The touching appearance and innocence in Konstantinova's eyes are what the character needs.
Grand Duke George Alexandrovich – Maxim Averin
The historical prototype is Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, the third son of Emperor Alexander II and Empress Maria Alexandrovna. Averin's stature resembles the book hero, and he also has experience filming historical projects. The actor clearly needs to step out of the image of budget workers, policemen, and doctors and take on something serious.
There is nothing to say about our George Alexandrovich – a true mountain of a man: handsome, portly, with dashingly curled mustaches, and also in a dazzling admiral's uniform, compared to which the modest colonel's uniform of the emperor looked rather shabby.
Grand Duke Simeon Alexandrovich – Filipp Yankovsky
The historical prototype is Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich Romanov. The fifth son of Alexander II; Moscow Governor-General. Husband of Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. The spitting image of Yankovsky. Or vice versa. And when we chose this actor, we had already drunk most of a bottle of wine, which greatly helped in the discussion with my mother about the choice of actors. And as we see, Yankovsky is like good wine – only gets better with age. Mom approves of the choice.
Simeon Alexandrovich, the tallest and slimmest of the brothers of the late sovereign, with his regular, as if carved from ice face, resembles a medieval Spanish grandee.
Grand Duke Kirill Alexandrovich – Ivan Volkov
The historical prototype is Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich Romanov. The fourth son of Emperor Alexander II and Empress Maria Alexandrovna. Currently, Ivan Volkov plays the role of Alexander II in the play "One Eight Eight One" at the Alexandrinsky Theatre and does it superbly. So why reinvent the wheel?
The eldest, Grand Duke Kirill Alexandrovich, commander of the Imperial Guard, is not as handsome as his brothers, but truly majestic and formidable, for he inherited the famous basilisk gaze from his crowned grandfather. It happened that some officers who had been derelict in their duty lost consciousness from that gaze.
Grand Duke Pavel Georgievich – Fedor Fedotov
The historical prototype is Grand Duke Andrei Vladimirovich. The fourth son of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich and Maria Pavlovna, grandson of Alexander II. In 1921 in Cannes, he married the 49-year-old Matilda Feliksovna Kshesinskaya, a famous ballerina. By feeling, Fedotov is the actor for whom this image will fit like a glove.
Young Pavel Georgievich, in the presence of the doyens of the imperial house, kept quieter than water, lower than grass, and did not even dare to light a cigarette.
Kammerjunker Endlung – Tikhon Zhiznevsky
A young naval lieutenant assigned as a tutor to the eldest son of Grand Duke Pavel Georgievich. Zhiznevsky has already played a similar role in the series .
In 2022, many projects were released on various domestic online platforms that we are definitely not ashamed of. We did not compile a top or rank the series, but simply
Open materialOh, that Endlung. I shouldn't say this, but Ekaterina Ioannovna made a big mistake when she considered this gentleman a suitable tutor for her eldest son. The lieutenant is, of course, a clever beast: his gaze is clear and pure, his face rosy, a neat parting in his golden hair, a childish blush on his cheeks – a real angel.
Isabella Snezhnevskaya – Maria Skuratova
The historical prototype is Matilda Feliksovna Kshesinskaya. A Russian and French ballet dancer and teacher of Polish origin, prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Theatre. As it seems to us, Maria Skuratova will be able to embody this vivid image on screen with ease and grace.
A minute later, Isabella Felitsianovna herself came out to me. She was wearing a light silk dress of a rich pink color, which hardly any other blonde could afford, but Snezhnevskaya in such an outfit looked not vulgar, but divine – I can't find another word. I was again struck by her light, porcelain beauty – of that most precious, very rare type, when at the sight of a seemingly already familiar face, every time you catch your breath and are taken aback.
Let's see what the premiere of the series "Fandorin. Azazel" on Kinopoisk brings us. Perhaps we have already made the work easier for the casting department when creating the next project "Fandorin. Coronation". Do you agree with this cast? Who would you like to add or change?
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