Channel 4 documentary charts the rise of Volodymyr Zelensky from comic to Ukrainian leader

Volodymyr Zelensky: The Man Who Took On Putin is a new Channel 4 special that will explore Zelensky’s journey from TV comedian to world renowned leader.

Before becoming the President of Ukraine in 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky played the county's fictional leader on a 2015 TV series. The 44-year-old also created the production company Kvartal 95, which produced Servant Of The People.

The immensely popular show Servant Of The People stars Zelensky as an ordinary history teacher who is unexpectedly elected president after a rant of his becomes an internet sensation. The first three episodes will air at 10:45pm this Sunday on Channel 4. The programme began airing in 2015 on Ukrainian channel 1+1 and became hugely popular, racking up three series and a feature film.

He also provided the voice of Paddington Bear in the Ukrainian dubbing of the 2014 and 2017 films, and won the country’s version of Dancing With The Stars in 2006.

This Sunday from 6:45pm @Channel4 takes a deep dive into the life and career of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with satirical series, Servant of The People and current affairs special, Zelenskyy: The Man Who Took on Putin https://t.co/Bs9zxpPRTe

— Channel 4 (@Channel4) March 2, 2022

Ian Katz, Channel 4’s chief content officer, said: “We know from the huge audiences coming to our comprehensive news coverage of the war in Ukraine that our viewers have a real thirst to understand the conflict and the individuals who are shaping it.

“In the space of a few weeks, Volodymyr Zelenskiy has become one of the most admired and speculated about men in the world, and broadcasting our current affairs special, Zelensky: The Man Who Took On Putin, and Servant Of The People across Sunday night will give viewers access to deep insight into how he shot to political prominence, the foundations of his popular appeal and his intuitive grasp of how to exploit both traditional and social media.

“The battle in Ukraine is as much an information war as a military one and these two programmes will show that Zelensky was a formidable information warrior long before he was a war leader.”

This incredible story certainly leads to plenty of biting political satire. The popularity of the series would eventually lead to a similarly surprising turn of events when Zelensky himself won 70% of the vote in the Ukrainian Presidential election. With no prior experience in public office, there was much speculation as to what the former comedian's Presidency would look like. The Jewish leader has been a strong proponent of the use of social media to reach his constituents successfully.

Volodymyr Zelensky currently faces what will surely be his greatest challenge as his country fends off the ongoing Russian invasion. According to US intelligence officials, when offered a safe escape from Kyiv, Zelensky responded, “The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride”. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Ukrainian forces have been able to slow the incursion of Russian forces.

Volodymyr Zelensky: The Man Who Took On Putin will air on Channel 4 at 6:45pm this Sunday.