Volodymyr Zelensky is now recognized worldwide as a symbol of resilience and duty.
However, his journey into politics started in an unexpected but fitting way: by playing Ukraine’s president on television.
In 2015, he created and starred in Servant of the People, a Netflix-comedy about a high school history teacher who accidentally becomes the country’s leader.
The first season of the show recently returned to Netflix, offering viewers a glimpse into his unusual path to the presidency, The Washington Post wrote in a 2022 article.
The show was a massive hit in Ukraine, blending satire with an optimistic tone. Its relatable themes made it feel like a mix of Veep and Parks and Recreation.
For viewers today, especially during the ongoing war, it serves as both light entertainment and a poignant reflection on Ukraine’s struggles.
Ukraine’s Expectations of Corrupt Leadership
In the series, Zelensky’s character, Vasily Petrovich Goloborodko, is an ordinary history teacher.
He gains fame after a student films his passionate rant about corrupt politicians. The video goes viral, propelling him to the presidency.
Once in office, he discovers what he suspected all along: a bloated and self-serving government.
Staff positions range from personal motivators to zookeepers for the president’s private zoo.
His efforts to run an honest administration are constantly tested, even by his own family.
For example, his sister is offered a job solely because of her connection to him, and his father accepts lavish gifts in exchange for political favors.
Frustrated, Goloborodko realizes corruption runs deeper than he imagined.
From Comedy to the Real Presidency
Experts have noted that Servant of the People reflected real issues in Ukraine, such as the frustration with corrupt elites and their extravagant lifestyles.
Goloborodko’s character stood out as a reformer with integrity, someone who refused to make promises he couldn’t keep and encouraged transparency.
These qualities likely influenced Zelensky’s real-life voters, who saw echoes of the fictional president in the actor himself.
When Zelensky ran for office in 2019, he relied heavily on his TV persona. His political party shared the show’s name, and his campaign avoided traditional methods like debates or policy speeches.
Many Ukrainians connected his character’s vision for a better Ukraine with the man running for office.
Ukraine and Russia’s Tense History
The show also touches on Ukraine’s uneasy relationship with Russia. In one scene, Goloborodko jokes that Putin has been overthrown, shocking members of parliament.
While mostly avoiding the topic, the show hints at the tensions between the two nations, especially after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Ultimately, Servant of the People resonated with audiences not for its politics, but for its portrayal of a man striving to fix his country.
It’s a hopeful story that mirrors the real-life determination of Ukrainians today.
