The actress spoke candidly in a conversation with Ksenia Surkova for Hello! and admitted that she once doubted whether she had chosen the right path in acting.
Surkova described a real creative crossroads that unfolded after 2012. She explained that she had stayed busy on set for several years, then suddenly found herself repeatedly passed over for auditions. That lull led her to pause and reassess her abilities, wondering if she might not be a good fit for the craft after all.
In seeking clarity, she traveled to Los Angeles to study with Ivana Chubbuck, joining a circle of mentors who offered direct, practical guidance. The feedback she received was blunt but valuable: her profession is a lifelong pursuit, and she should stop there with the self-doubt. The message she recalled hearing was almost blunt: her identity as an actor was not fragile, and she should trust the long arc of her career. The commentary drew a mix of encouragement and tough love, and it resonated with her because it reflected a cultural mindset that Russians, according to her experience, can be intensely emotional yet capable of enduring through the storm. These exchanges helped stabilize her confidence and reminded her to focus on the work rather than the small twists of early setbacks.
Today, Surkova is charting a new course that blends performance with creation. She has begun taking deliberate, incremental steps toward producing and directing, a shift she describes as both exciting and meaningful. Her current focus involves developing a series project that fuels her creative curiosity and challenges her to expand beyond acting alone. She spoke about enjoying the entire process—from concept to execution—emphasizing that directing demands a different kind of attention: assembling teams, shaping narratives, and making contrastive creative decisions that bring a vision to life.
As an artist, Surkova reflects on the evolution of her public persona and the work that has defined her best-known roles. She is widely recognized for her portrayal of Anya Malysheva in the television series Olga. Beyond that signature part, she has contributed to projects such as Zaitsev + 1, Temporary Difficulties, and Closed School, each experience layering new skills and perspectives. These roles have served as stepping stones that inform her current ambitions and keep her anchored in a practical understanding of the business while she explores new storytelling avenues.
Her narrative also touches on broader industry patterns: the tension between the steady, methodical craft of acting and the lure of opportunities that can appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. The arc she describes—from a period of doubt to an active pursuit of directing and producing—highlights a proactive mindset that many performers cultivate when they seek to shape long-term careers rather than be defined by a single role. This shift toward ownership over projects signals a broader trend in contemporary screen work, where performers increasingly expand into behind-the-camera responsibilities to guide creative outcomes more fully.
In reflecting on these experiences, the actress notes that perseverance is not merely about weathering setbacks but about cultivating a resilient practice. The journey illustrates a commitment to continuous growth, embracing constructive critique, and translating lessons learned on set into future opportunities. Her story underscores the importance of mentors, diverse skill development, and the courage to pursue new creative frontiers—even when the path is uncertain or unconventional.
Looking ahead, Surkova continues to emphasize the joy of collaboration and the excitement of bringing fresh perspectives to life on screen. Her evolving career arc demonstrates how a performer can evolve into a multi-haceted creator while remaining deeply connected to the core craft that first drew audiences to her work. This blend of acting prowess and creative leadership positions her as a voice to watch in the coming projects and series she is intent on bringing to fruition, inviting audiences to witness the growth and resilience that define her artistic journey. [citation attributed to Hello! interview with Ksenia Surkova].