Dmitry Nagiyev, a renowned actor and television host, is set to star in the adventure comedy “Who’s Faster?” produced for the STS TV channel. The news was reported by TASS and confirmed by industry observers as a fresh addition to the network’s lineup.
In the new project, Nagiyev takes on the dual role of an SUV driver and a former convict named Kekchuk. The storyline follows a dramatic incident where the character suffers a car accident and loses consciousness, only to awaken with a tangle of clues about hidden diamonds. As Kekchuk relays fragmentary and cryptic hints to strangers, phrases like “Gelendzhik” and “mermaid” surface, sparking a global treasure hunt among the locals who become swept up in the mystery.
Filming for the series occurred in Saint Petersburg, marking a shift from local locations to a broader urban canvas. The production drew a notable cast beyond Nagiyev, including Olga Medynich and Anna Banshchikova, with a number of other performers contributing to the ensemble that brings the playful caper to life.
The creators describe the project as a bold exploration of human greed through a lens of humor. They suggest that greed can be a stigma, yet it also provides ample material for laughter. The narrative follows ordinary people who are thrust into extraordinary circumstances in their quest for wealth, transforming into unlikely heroes capable of withstanding extreme trials, from intense heat to perilous waters and even treacherous plumbing challenges.
Prior to this project, Nagiyev had stepped back from several appearances, declining a number of assignments, including programs on Channel One. The same period saw questions about his involvement in a host of shows, with reports noting that changes in hosting duties occurred across popular formats, such as a high-profile talent program where another host assumed the chair in a special edition. An executive producer associated with Channel One commented that Nagiyev’s departure from various projects was linked to a creative hiatus, explaining the timing of these pauses as a deliberate break to recharge and refocus.
In early 2023, Nagiyev also did not host a prominent award ceremony associated with MUZ-TV, and he did not publicly disclose the reasons behind the decision, leaving industry watchers to speculate about the scheduling and creative considerations at play during that period.
Earlier reports noted controversy surrounding the creator of a popular animated project, Masyanya, due to public calls to surrender to Ukraine, a development that added political momentum to ongoing conversations in the entertainment landscape. The situation underscored the broader climate in which television productions navigate public attention, branding, and international discourse while continuing to deliver entertainment grounded in humor and human stories.