— Tell us about the heroine in the TV series “Aunt Martha.” Who is she, and what is her character like?
— When discussing a character, the plot often reveals itself through what the person does. That makes it challenging at times. She is raising two children and sees herself as their mother. Most of the time, she acts quite ostentatiously, which isn’t a trait that defines her as especially kind.
— The production notes say your character is the guardian of Vitalia’s persona. Did motherhood experiences influence how you built this image? How closely does your heroine resemble you?
— How similar is the character to the actor in real life? Not very. This time, the actor almost stays away from herself, letting the role shape the person. Only a few quirks from the self remain, while the character embodies a completely different worldview, priorities, and structure.
— You don’t seem to like him much.
— It’s just different. No, I really enjoyed being invited to play such a character.
— You worked closely with the lead actress, Vitalia Kornienko, on set. Is it hard to work with a teenager? How does this compare to interacting with adult actors?
— In 2023, the actor collaborated with eight children and teens as their on-set parent. After studying this field, the actor notes that most young performers are diligent and convey brighter expressions. It’s exciting to witness a living, youthful energy. Yet there’s a twist: an eight-year-old daughter on set is still a child, while Vitalia is growing into adolescence. She’s not a child anymore, but she remains emotionally evolving.
— So how does one communicate effectively?
— The key is respectful, equal dialogue. Once actors are treated as equals, harmony follows. If they’re spoken to as mere children, acceptance within the group can falter. (Laughs.)
— Have you been accepted?
— Yes. This isn’t the first time we’ve worked with Vitalia. It’s our third joint project, and although in one early collaboration they did not intersect, the dynamic worked well when I played her mother in another. Everything clicked.
— The first season drew tens of millions of viewers, and interest only grew. What do you think drives its success?
— It’s a well-crafted product with the right cast, the right platform, and the right federal channel. Everything aligned. It remains a careful balance of execution and audience connection. It’s a job, yes, but people stayed genuinely invested and affectionate toward it.
— Congratulations on announcing your pregnancy. Has the work schedule shifted? Is maternity leave on the horizon?
— The path forward isn’t fully mapped yet. Work continues, and projects with future potential sit in the wings. There’s no intention to halt everything; there are timelines and commitments, and some projects will pause while others proceed. It’s not something she relishes, but it’s part of the reality.
— When did you first take a break from work?
— Roughly three months, perhaps. The sensation of movement came around the sixth day in Budapest, and then the project could resume within about three months before starting again.
— Is your daughter Nadya pursuing acting as well?
— He confirms that Nadya is not particularly drawn to the site atmosphere or the acting world. He is aware of her interest in other paths and does not push her toward professional training in acting. Nadya may later choose her own path, which could include film work, but it is not something he expects soon.
— Where does she see herself going? Is acting off the table for now?
— It’s about following her own desires. If acting truly calls to her, she’ll pursue it. For now, she’s more engaged with social networks and other pursuits rather than stage work. The focus remains on curiosity and exploration, not a fixed career plan.
— You mostly do comedies. Is there a desire to move beyond the comedic actor’s path?
— The joy is in working. The material and the project matter—there are only so many producers and directors willing to take creative risks. Casting often aligns with the genre and the director’s vision. A move to a dramatic role would require a director and producer to trust that shifting identity. In one previous project, a director saw potential for the dramatic side, and the collaboration worked because of prior experience and trust built with the producer.
— So success hinges on the director’s perspective. If they cast you in a dramatic light, the transition works?
— There was a time when the Farza project began and a director convinced the producer to bring me on board. The producer worried that a TNT comedian would be cast in a different way, yet the collaboration proved possible because the actor’s versatility had been established through prior work. It’s never guaranteed that everyone will take the risk, but trusted partnerships can defy expectations.
— Do managers often avoid risk?
— Yes, there is risk to some extent. But sometimes, a different look or a different approach can be compelling. As Meryl Streep has shown, style and depth can converge with age, allowing audiences to reevaluate a performer’s possibilities. In time, the right opportunities surface.
— There’s a claim that nail artistry helps you recharge. How did that ritual start?
— The legs might be planted on hard surfaces, but this isn’t surprising. People dive into cold water, stand on nails, practice yoga, meditate, paint, travel, or simply eat street food. Everyone finds their own ritual. For the actor, physical expression remains a constant practice, whether through body work or stage presence.
— You’ve also tried TV presenting, especially a travel program. How does that compare to acting?
— Discipline is the common thread. On set, there is play, justification, and adaptation; in presenting, it’s about honesty and direct observation. You don’t improvise fake emotions. Instead, you reflect what you see, serving as a mirror to the audience. The task is to present a genuine narrative of the world you encounter.
— Which role feels more natural to you?
— It’s possible to feel comfortable in both. The actor is defined by work, by what is possible, by a desire to discover new things. The job, the opportunities, the environment—these are all part of a broad, ongoing exploration. If there’s curiosity, the path remains clear.
— The series “Real Boys” brought you fame and recently ended. How did you feel about stepping away from that project?
— It felt fitting. Before the final departure, there was a sense that the arc was complete. The ending brought emotion, applause, and a sense of closure. Gratitude filled the moment because the project gave much to the performer, and the performer gave everything back in return.
— Perm, your hometown, remains a strong tie. How often do you visit, and are people there proud of your achievements?
— There are frequent, fond connections to Perm. Of course, people there support what you do, and their pride lives in the shared memories and ongoing affection. Yet the city itself continues to thrive, and the best response is simply to keep moving forward rather than waiting for external praise.