Call-center (TV series)

Call-center
GenreThriller
Drama
Created byNatalya Merkulova
Alexey Chupov
Written byNatalia Merkoulova
Aleksey Chupov
Directed byNatalia Merkoulova
Alexey Chupov
StarringPavel Tabakov
Yulia Khlynina
Vladimir Yaglych
Polina Pushkaruk
Sabina Akhmedova
Levan Khurtsia
Olga Venikova
Nikita Tarasov
Zoya Kaidanovskaya
Askar Nigamedzyanov
Egor Sheremetyev
Alisa Selnikova
Theme music composerThe Grus – "A Secret Place"
ComposersLiza Tikhonova
Mark Dorbsky
Country of originRussia
Original languageRussian
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producerMaya Tszo
ProducersValery Fedorovich
Evgeny Nikishov
CinematographyGleb Filatov
Running time43–63 minutes
Production company1-2-3 Production
Original release
NetworkTNT
Premier
Release23 March (2020-03-23) –
2 April 2020 (2020-04-02)

Call Center (Russian: Колл-центр) is a Russian television thriller drama series produced by Premier Studios and created by Natalya Merkulova and Alexey Chupov.[1]

The series premiered on 23 March 2020 on TNT and the streaming service Premier.[2] The TNT broadcast aired a censored 16+ version, while the uncensored 18+ version was released on Premier.[3] The final episode aired on 2 April 2020.[4]

In September 2019, the series won the award for Best Pilot Screenplay at the II Pilot TV Series Festival.[5]

Plot

Twelve employees of the call center of an online adult boutique are trapped on the 12th floor of the Gloria Plaza business center in Moscow. Suddenly, unknown criminals who call themselves "Mom" and "Dad" contact them and claim that the building is rigged with a bomb.

To prevent the explosion, the hostages must follow the criminals’ increasingly disturbing instructions. Over the course of eight hours, the employees are forced to confront their darkest secrets, moral boundaries, and fears.

Cast and characters

Actor Character Description
Pavel Tabakov Kirill Romanchuk Call center operator, former medical student
Yulia Khlynina Katya Call center operator, Kirill's ex-girlfriend
Vladimir Yaglych Denis Viktorovich Head of the call center
Polina Pushkaruk Liza Nekrasova Operator, former ISIS captive
Sabina Akhmedova Jemma Cleaner, migrant worker
Levan Khurtsia David Delivery courier
Olga Venikova Yana Call center operator
Nikita Tarasov Zhenya Divorced father of four
Zoya Kaidanovskaya Galina Maizel Operator with mental illness
Askar Nigamedzyanov Pavlik Borisov Intern
Egor Sheremetyev Vitalik Call center operator
Alisa Selnikova Sonya Call center operator

Production

According to Merkoulova and Chupov, the series was influenced by Lost and Black Mirror.[6]

Filming took place at the Matrex business center in the Skolkovo Innovation Center.[7]

In October 2020, producer Evgeny Nikishov announced that the series had been renewed for a second season, but it was never produced.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Natasha Merkoulova and Aleksey Chupov: "We divorce every time!"" (in Russian). Moskovsky Komsomolets.
  2. ^ "Premiere of the thriller Call Center to air on TNT" (in Russian). TASS.
  3. ^ "TNT reveals premiere date for Call Center" (in Russian). Gazeta.Ru.
  4. ^ "Call Center – official page". Premier.
  5. ^ "Pilot TV series festival awards" (in Russian). Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
  6. ^ "Interview with the creators of Call Center" (in Russian). Afisha.
  7. ^ "Call Center in production" (in Russian). TV KinoRadio.
  8. ^ "Russian TV series exports" (in Russian). Meduza.