Move over, every other show on television – there's a new masterpiece in town. Ewan McGregor delivers a career-defining performance in the breathtaking adaptation of Amor Towles' celebrated novel, A Gentleman in Moscow, available to stream now on Paramount+.
A Star Under House Arrest
The series centres on the enigmatic Count Alexander Rostov, portrayed with impeccable charm and depth by McGregor. In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, the aristocratic Rostov is deemed an unrepentant noble by a Bolshevik tribunal. Instead of a firing squad, his sentence is a peculiar one: indefinite house arrest in the opulent confines of Moscow's Metropol Hotel.
Stripped of his titles but not his dignity, the Count must watch the world change from the grand windows of his attic room. What unfolds is a magnificent decades-long story of resilience, friendship, love, and finding purpose within the walls that confine you.
A Stellar Cast Brings The Metropol To Life
McGregor is not alone in this lavish production. He is joined by a formidable supporting cast, including his real-life wife, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who plays the glamorous and complex film star Anna Urbanova. Their electric on-screen chemistry adds a compelling layer of romance and intrigue.
The ensemble is rounded out by a host of talented actors including Johnny Harris as the intimidating Soviet officer Osip Glebnikov, and Alexa Goodall as Nina, a curious young girl who befriends the Count and holds the key to the hotel's secrets.
More Than Just A Period Piece
While the show is a visual feast of costuming and set design, capturing the fading grandeur of a bygone era, it is far from a simple historical drama. At its heart, it's a gripping political thriller and a profound character study.
The narrative masterfully weaves together espionage, humour, and heart-wrenching emotion as Rostov navigates his unique predicament. He builds a new family from the hotel's staff and guests, all while the tumultuous history of 20th-century Russia unfolds just outside the door.
Directed by BAFTA winner Sam Miller and penned by showrunner Ben Vanstone (The Last Kingdom), the series has been hailed by critics as a triumphant and unmissable piece of television. It’s a story that reminds us that true freedom is found not in where you are, but in who you are.
All eight episodes of this magnificent drama are available to binge now on Paramount+ in the UK, originally produced for Showtime in the US. Don't miss what is sure to be a major awards contender.
