The Zelensky Story triumphs at Broadcast Awards 2025

The Zelensky Story, an OU/BBC co-production made with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences academic consultant Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody, recently won Best Specialist Factual Programme at the prestigious Broadcast Awards.

The three-part programme, which originally aired in September 2024 on BBC Two, explores what led former actor and entertainer Volodymyr Zelensky to become President of Ukraine. He is now one of the world's most recognisable leaders, presiding over a country at war, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Speaking about her role as an academic consultant on the programme, Dr Chatterje-Doody, who specialises in communication, misinformation, and security, particularly in Russia, said:

"It was an immense privilege to be involved in making The Zelensky Story. To win the award for Best Specialist Factual programme is just wonderful – it really shows that programmes like this have an impact."

She continued:

"I think audiences really appreciated the fantastic access that the programme had to top members of the Ukrainian administration – including Zelensky himself. Part of the reason it was so effective is that the film helped to bring out the human side of the war… three years after the full-scale invasion, war fatigue is setting in across Europe, but the show was so effective in showing that for Ukrainians, this war isn't just about territory; it's about real people's hopes and dreams, their lives and their futures."

Curious about Ukraine's history?

Take a look at The Zelensky Story interactive via OU Connect, produced in collaboration with Dr Chatterje-Doody, featuring twelve stories of fascinating and influential figures who shaped Ukraine.

Picture credit: Leo Fawkes for 72 Films Ltd