Actor Ivan Okhlobystin recently stated that a sequel to the Russian TV seriesInterns may not be worth it given how many episodes already exist in the franchise. The remark came through TASS, highlighting a touch of sarcasm about rebooting a long-running show.
Okhlobystin joked that there are 352 episodes to date. If the series were remade, he suggested, it would likely be watchable only in a distant future, perhaps the next millennium. The actor also noted a general disfavor toward remakes, expressing the belief that most beloved projects retain their original charm and should stay as they are.
The sitcom Interns aired from 2010 through 2016, with Okhlobystin portraying Andrei Bykov, the head of the therapeutic department and the internship program. The ensemble cast included Christina Asmus, Alexander Ilyin Jr., Vadim Demchog, Svetlana Kamynina, and several other notable performers who contributed to the show’s enduring popularity.
In September 2023, a revival of another late 2010s favorite, Daddy’s Daughters, entered the scene. The new episodes placed the character Venik in a situation that echoed the original series, with a twist: his wife Dasha, played by Anastasia Sivaeva, had left him, leaving Venik to raise their children alone while navigating the challenges of fatherhood in a modern context.
Meanwhile, in November of the same year, there were reports about ongoing discussions to remake additional series, including Don’t Be Born Beautiful and Molodezhka, signaling a broader interest in rebooting established Russian television titles. These conversations reflect a broader trend in the industry toward revisiting familiar stories,often grounded in the nostalgia of audiences who grew up watching them.
Industry commentators have also explored the broader dynamics behind remakes, noting that while new takes can refresh a franchise, they risk losing the distinctive spark that defined the original. The balance between faithful homage and contemporary adaptation remains a topic of lively debate among critics and viewers alike, especially when long-running shows become cultural touchstones for multiple generations.
Beyond the specifics of these projects, observers sometimes draw parallels with international hits, including how successful film and television properties are perceived when reimagined for newer audiences. Some foresees that remakes can offer fresh perspectives, while others caution that certain characters, settings, or tonalities resist replication. In this climate, many fans prefer to celebrate the originals and approach any new version with cautious optimism, hoping it will honor what made the initial series resonate while offering something new to discover.