The Magic District

Lyokha, a former police sniper with post-traumatic stress disorder, in the midst of an alcoholic binge learns about the fatal illness of his sister Katya. Katya does not want her daughter to be sent to an orphanage after death, and asks Lyokha to take up her head so that he becomes a guardian for an eight-year-old girl. Lyokha has already lost many close people in his life, so he does everything to help his sister: he picks up old connections and gets a job at the police station. The area turns out to be difficult. The criminals that Lyokha must catch are fairy-tale characters: the Serpent Gorynych, Baba Yaga and other evil spirits. And if the former sniper does not have problems with the capture of villains, then attempts to become a good guardian become a real test for Lyokha.

Directed by Aleksandr Noskov, The Magic District leans on a strong ensemble — Nikolay Naumov, Eva Smirnova, Filipp Yankovsky — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about sci-fi & fantasy titles of 2023.