Excellent production spoiled by shaky camera and political correctness. It’s a unique series because you never see such faithful recreation of period Russia with props and costumes done so accurate and realistic without looking too perfect and new. Ewan is excellent for the role and characters have depth. And story is quite realistic, not over the top fantasy as you often get these days. Unlike recent historical tv shows with actors speaking English with accents, with this one is saved by its production and care about the story, while shows like The New Look feel hollow and pretentious. And what’s with the shaky camera that reminds you constantly that this is a modern production? Whose idea was to ruin a great show with that? Even worse, it’s often shot from a close to the ground viewpoint of a dog for some reason. And political correctness is the worse thing about this series. There may have been black people back then in Russia, but you wouldn’t see them all within one week time, and they wouldn’t have dreadlocks. It’s all so out of place. And since this kind of correctness doesn’t come in singles, I would expect to see openly flamboyant gay people introduced next.

Ignore all the negative ratings with comments complaining about political correctness. Yes, there are a couple of black people in this show. No, it's not completely out of touch with the period setting because Africans were migrating to Soviet Union at the time, so there might as well have been some Africans working at the hotels there. No, the storyline hasn't been changed because of this, and there's no political correctness whatsoever. The show itself is brilliantly done and it's a true little gem. For someone who has read the book, I found it extremely enjoyable, and to be honest I think it's the first time I liked a show a bit more than the book. There were some unnecessary changes made like the one with Mishka and Rostov's sister story, but there were also some that were welcomed like the expansion of Nikolai's story which resonated more deeply with me. The show is visually beautiful, the acting and the dialogue are top notch, and the story... Oh the story has moments that will make you laugh, cry, and make your blood boil with rage (~~I'm looking at you Leplevsky~~). It's bittersweet and realistic. And it's absolutely worth binging, so don't sleep on it!

Deeply entertaining with a plot that is not too complicated, oscillating between events experienced in reflection in the velvety atmosphere of a grand hotel and well-measured sentiments capable of filling the empty spaces between the echoes of the revolution. The result is perfectly achieved, far from the mannerism that could have tempted the director in recreating a sophisticated but unrealistic environment, or from the all-too-predictable sentimentality for a fallen nobility. I cannot say whether the credit is all due to the original novel, the director, or the actors, McGregor above all. I found it impossible to detach myself; I believe it must be watched in one sitting, allowing oneself to be immersed in a world with well-defined limits, yet infinitely pleasant

This is a really good series. Well paced and never dull or boring. Over the top with the woke crap that was actually distracting throughout the show. Let's get real...a black guy with dreadlocks in 1915 Russia...suuure that makes sense. There are quite a number of black, Asian and brown people in the hotel over the 8 episode. This is Russia we're talking about. The only black Russian is an adult beverage. Otherwise 10/10.

BLM in Moscow ?! ... Come on ! .... In Russia?! .... In 1922 ?! ... Pffff