In Russia, the series "Univer" has been revived again — with a former State Duma deputy and war supporters

Photo: still from the series

This is not the first attempt to bring "Univer" back to life. The original series aired on the Russian channel TNT from 2008 to 2011. It was replaced by various sequels, spin-offs, and other attempts to regain viewers' attention — in total, almost 1000 comedy episodes were released under the "Univer" brand. And now they will show what happened to the heroes 15 years after the beginning of this story.

The original "Univer" was a story about a group of students from Moscow universities living in the same dormitory block. Among the main characters were Sasha, the son of an oligarch and a future astronomer, and his beloved, Tanya, an excellent student from the law faculty. Another iconic character was Kuzya, a former karateka with an IQ of 60, who had a romance with the blonde beauty Allochka.

Less airtime was given to Gosha, the dream of all journalism students, who was replaced by the Armenian Michael. The series also featured occultist Lily from the biology faculty, the rich kid Martynov, and Sylvester Andreevich — the oligarch and Sasha's father.

"Univer. 15 Years Later" managed to attract the main stars of the previous project. For example, Kuzya is there. The most clueless of all the characters, he somehow made it in life and owns a company called "Pelmen Pelmensky." But he just can't find a woman who would appreciate him for his soul, not his money.

Павялічыць

Photo: still from the trailer

The series also brought back Valentin and Masha — the former nerd and journalism student from the first "Univer" reboot are now raising two children. Valya has become a famous scientist, overwhelmed with work, while Masha drinks wine at home and laments her marriage and her husband, who pays no attention to her. The former womanizer Michael is now a happy family man, Anton is raising someone else's daughter. The return of the central characters of the first "Univer" is also promised: Sasha, the oligarch's son himself, his wife Tanya, and two sex symbols of the original series — Kristina and Allochka.

Павялічыць

Photo: still from the trailer

Judging by search engine data, the new "Univer" is actively watched, including in Belarus. However, the reviews are mostly negative.

The main problem with this project is that 15 years have passed, and the "Univer" characters have not shown significant development. Yes, Kuzya miraculously has a company and money, but essentially he remains, as before, a simple-minded and helpless strongman. Masha has even degraded almost to alcoholism, Valya is spineless, Michael, though a successful family man, is a shadow of his former self.

Moreover, when "Univer" heroes' relationships face crises, the only thing the screenwriters offer them is to lie and betray each other, and if that doesn't help, to break up. These are no longer students, as before, but they haven't truly managed to grow up and settle into adult life. Over the years, they have lost the youthful lightness and naivety that attracted viewers to the first "Univer" — and so, it seems, it's best to simply let these characters go.

Another problem with "Univer" is that in recent years, the lead actors have managed to severely damage their own image. Take, for example, Vitaly Gogunsky, who portrayed Kuzya in the project. In 2025, this actor shocked with his misogynistic statements that "a woman has no right to be in a bad mood in front of a man."

Павялічыць

Photo: still from the trailer

Maria Kozhevnikova (Allochka) entered politics: she belongs to Putin's "United Russia" party, was a State Duma deputy, and is under sanctions.

Anna Khilkevich (Masha) is not far behind — this actress has repeatedly spoken out in support of the Russian attack on Ukraine, including calling the attack a fight "for truth." Stas Yarushin (Anton) complained about Western sanctions against Russia and about brands that left the country after the full-scale war began, and also asked to send sleeping bags to mobilized Russians.

There is, however, an actress among the faces of the old "Univer" who found herself on the other side of the barricades. Ukrainian Anna Kuzina became famous after filming in the project "Univer. New Dorm." Kuzina condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine in April 2022: she called Putin a war criminal and a complete psychopath.

The world has changed, and no matter how much one wishes, it's impossible to return to that student dormitory of the late 2000s where the first "Univer" began. It failed to retain the lightness of the old "Univer," and the series is incapable of finding new breath. Perhaps it's time to put an end to it.

• 3
• 5
• 4
• 9
• 1
• 0
• 0
• 0