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Russian actor Yura Borisov is a critically acclaimed actor whose raw intensity and emotional depth and balancing brutality with fragility have made him a standout figure in contemporary Russian cinema.

He first appeared on screen in an ensemble role in Andrey Zvyagintsev's Elena (2011), a quiet yet pivotal start to his career. His breakthrough came in 2019 with Boris Akopov's The Bull (2019), where his portrayal of Anton Bykov, a young man navigating the criminal underworld of 1990s Russia, earned him widespread recognition and the title of "Discovery of the Year" by GQ Russia.

Yura Borisov solidified his reputation in 2021 with Captain Volkonogov Escaped (2021), a darkly satirical drama that won him Best Actor at the Russian Guild of Film Critics. That same year, he gained international acclaim for his role as the rough yet vulnerable miner Lyokha in Juho Kuosmanen's Compartment Number 6 (2021), which won the Grand Prix at Cannes and an Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language. His performance in Sean Baker's Anora (2024) as a Russian emigrant in Brooklyn further elevated his global profile, earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor- the first for a Russian actor in over four decades.

In 2025, he starred in Konchitsya leto (2024), directed by Oscar-nominated Maxim Arbugaev, filming in harsh conditions of Yakutia as a conflicted ex-convict.

Aleksey Kravchenko was born on 10 October 1969 in Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Come and See (1985), 9th Company (2005) and Zaverbovannyy. He is married to Nadezhda Borisova. He was previously married to Alisa ?.

Kristina Asmus was born Kristina Igorevna Myasnikova on April 14, 1988, in Kaliningrad, Moscow region, RSFSR, USSR (now Korolev, Russia). As a child, she was involved in gymnastics, becoming a Candidate for Master of Sports.

In her mid-teens, while still in high school, she played the role of Zhenya Komelkova in a theatrical adaptation, directed by Elena Makhona, of Boris Vasilev's novel "A zori zdes tikhie..." ("The Dawns Here Are Quiet...") at the director's theater "Makhona ELena" ("MEL") in Moscow. After graduating from high school, she played the role of Fantine in Ivan Elagin's play "Portret madmuazel Tarzhi" ("The Portrait of Mademoiselle Tarsi") and the title role of the dog Silviya in the play "Silviya", a Russian adaptation of American playwright A.R. Gurney's play "Sylvia", both directed by Nataliya Ermakova of the "Korolevskiy Teatr Yunogo Eritelya" ("The Royal Theater for a Young Audience") at the "Teatr Dobroy Skazki" ("The Theater of the Kind Fairy Tale") in Moscow.

In her late teens, before deciding to become an actress, she worked in the modeling business.

In 2008, she entered the Mikhail Shchepkin Higher Theater School in a course taught by the famous Soviet-era actor Boris Klyuev, graduating in 2012.

The debut of the actress on the screen was in early 2010 in the role of Varvara Chernous in director Maksim Pezhemskiy's popular comedy series Interny (2010) ("Interns").

Following this, in late 2010, she was named the Sexiest Woman of the Year in the Russian edition of Maxim magazine, appearing on the cover that October, with a full pictorial and interview inside.

In 2011, the budding actress starred in the role of Sasha in the detective story 'Alibi' na dvoikh (2011) ("An 'Alibi' for Two"), directed by Nikolay Gusev.

She lives in Moscow with her husband, actor and comedian Garik Kharlamov, and their daughter Anistasiya.

Oleg Borisovich Vidov was born in the suburbs of Moscow on 11 June 1943 to Varvara Vidova, a teacher, and Boris Nikolaievich Garnevich, an economist. As a child he lived with his mother, who worked for the Soviet government in the field of education in Mongolia and East Germany. When his mother was sent to China on assignment, he went to live with his aunt Anuta in Kazakstan. Eventually he moved with his mother and aunt to Moscow. At 18, competing against hundreds of would-be actors, he was accepted to the acting department of the state film school VGIK.

Oleg appeared in 50 films since 1961, mostly in starring roles. He was a sex symbol of his generation in Russia, and many of his films are still played on Russian television today. Here his credits include "Red Heat", Wild Orchid (1989) and Thirteen Days.

In 1985, he defected to the U.S. and began acting in films and television there. Oleg and his wife obtained international distribution rights to the award-winning Soyuzmultfilm Studio animation library in 1992 and helped popularize Russian animation around the world. Together they produced numerous series based on animation they digitally restored from the Soyuzmultfilm animation library including "Animated Classic Showcase", Mikhail Baryshnikov's Stories from My Childhood (1998), Rudyard Kipling's "Jungle Book", "Masters of Russian Animation", "The Adventures of Cheburashka and Friends", and "Animated Soviet Propaganda". In 2007 they sold the library to a Russian oligarch.

Born 8 November 1960 as Oleg Evgenyevich Menshikov in Serpukhov, USSR (now in Russia). His father was a military engineer and his mother was a doctor. During his childhood he attended music school where he learned to play piano and violin. Later he studied in the Mikhail Shchepkin Higher Theatre School in Moscow. His debut was the television movie Zhdu i nadeyus (1980). In the early 1990s he spent some time in London playing in the Globe Theatre. For his performance as Sergei Yesenin in When She Danced he received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. His best known role is Mitya in the Oscar-winning historical movie Burnt by the Sun (1994). He went on to star in internationally co-produced movies, such as The Barber of Siberia (1998) and East/West (1999) as well as in adaptations of Russian literature, such as Statskiy sovetnik (2005) and Doktor Zhivago (2006). In 2005 he married actress Anastasia Chernova. He returned to the role of Mitya for two sequels: Burnt by the Sun 2 (2010) and Utomlennye solntsem 2: Tsitadel (2011). Since 2012 he's been the artistic director of the Yermolova Theatre in Moscow.

Aleksey Aleksandrovich Chadov was born on September 2, 1981, in Solntsevo, Moscow region, RSFSR, USSR, now a suburb of Moscow, Russia. He is the younger brother of actor Andrey Chadov. His father, Aleksandr Chadov, died in 1986, and both brothers were raised by their single mother. Their mother, Galina Petrovna Chadova, was an engineer turned accountant and teacher. She raised both brothers as best friends. The Chadov brothers look similar, but they are not twins, with sixteen months between them. They are good friends and are diligent colleagues in their respectful careers. They would often go together on casting calls, providing broader opportunities for directors.

Aleksey and his brother began acting at school, then continued as amateur actors at the municipal theater-studio in Peredelkino. His first acting teacher was Aleksey Kozhikhin. In 1992, at the age of 12, Aleksey was awarded for his stage performance and was sent to the Mediterranean resort of Antalia. During his school years he played a wide variety of characters in classical and contemporary plays. After graduating from school, he entered the Shchepkin Theatrical School in Moscow. There he studied acting in the class of Vladimir Seleznyov, and graduated as an actor in 2003. While a student, he made his film debut in a leading role in War (2002) ("War") by director Aleksey Balabanov. In 2002, Chadov received the Best Actor Award at the Montreal Film Festival.

Chadov is a Russian Orthodox Christian. He currently resides in Moscow, Russia.

Originally from Russia, Rina Gri is an accomplished actress with a remarkable journey that reflects both talent and resilience. In response to her opposition to war, she immigrated to Europe, currently residing in Bucharest.

Starting her career at the age of 13 in the BBC mini-series "Crime and Punishment," directed by Julian Jarrold, Rina transitioned into theatre, where she started to learn the profession. Her versatility as both a comedic and dramatic actress became evident early on, and she has maintained a consistent presence in film and television ever since. Graduating from ballet and music school, she often brought her musical talents into various film projects.

Rina received formal training at some of the world's best acting schools, including the St. Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Los Angeles. In 2022, she was awarded a scholarship at the International Screen Acting workshop at the Filmakademie Baden Württemberg in Germany, selected from nearly 500 European actors.

Rina's big break came after she played the key role in the hugely successful "Kitchen" and "Hotel Eleon" TV series, both of which garnered multiple awards. Shortly it followed the leading role of 'Alisa' in award-winning popular TV series and box office film franchise "Policemen" by Ilya Kulikov, which made her well known throughout Russia and helped her to develop a strong career during the following years.

Her first American project, the short film "The Girl Who is Selling Fish," where she played the lead role of 'Liza' and served as a producer, premiered at Filmfest Bremen in 2022, and received acclaim at festivals in the USA, including the Long Island International Film Expo and the Richmond International Film Festival, earning nominations and awards worldwide.

Rina Gri's career spans a diverse array of roles, all bound by a common thread - delving into the depths of past traumas, internal struggles, and unresolved problems. As both an actress and producer, she is committed to storytelling that addresses themes that resonate globally: mental health, social issues, the immigrant experience, and the profound impact of loss and loneliness.

In the upcoming feature film "The Secret of Pin-Up Island" by Romanian director Alecs Nastoiu, Rina takes on the leading role of 'Alesia'. Additionally, she produces and stars in the Romania-UK production short film "Seven Days and a Coke," embodying the character of 'Marika', a Polish immigrant, who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder.

Anton Khabarov was born on 11 January 1981 in Balashikha, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Kazanova (2020), Slava (2015) and Zakrytaya shkola (2011). He is married to Elena Dmovskaya. They have two children.

Ekaterina Stulova was born on 23 March 1977 in Lobnya, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR. She is an actress, known for Poroda (2002), Derzkie dni (2007) and Ghouls (2017). She has been married to Maksim Lagashkin since 12 May 1996. They have two children.

Natalia attended the Russian Academy of Theatrical Arts for four years, receiving vocal training from the world famous Russian teacher, Maria Ganeshina. She then performed lead roles in four Russian musicals, toured with a Russian national theatrical group, and recorded sound tracks for several Russian films. Most recently she performed lead roles in several Russian films and TV serials, was featured in the international version of Elle Magazine, and received the 2002 Russian Actors' Guild Award for the Best Performance in a Foreign Film for her role in "Postmark Paradise" which will be released in America this fall.

Her recording of "Listen With Your Heart" is featured on "Simple Lies". It received international radio play by over 150 jazz stations in America and 10 foreign countries. Natalia and Orbert are currently at work on a second joint CD for release next year.

Natalya Guseva was born on 15 February 1972 in Zvenigorod, Moskovskaya oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She is an actress, known for Lilac Ball (1988), Guest from the Future (1984) and Volya vselennoy (1988). She has been married to Sergey Ambinder since 18 July 2013. They have one child. She was previously married to Denis Murashkevich.

Evgeniy Pronin was born on 8 November 1980 in Klimovsk, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Podolsk, Russia]. He is an actor and producer, known for Other plans, Nebo v ogne (2010) and Klassnye muzhiki (2010). He was previously married to Ekaterina Kuznetsova.

Ekaterina Malikova was born on 5 March 1982 in Kolomna, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She is an actress, known for Night Watch (2004), Day Watch (2006) and Nenasytnye (2006).

Andrey Smolyakov was born on 24 November 1958 in Podolsk, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Hamilton (1998), Forbidden Empire (2014) and Vysotsky. Thank You for Being Alive (2011).

Roman Madyanov was born on 22 July 1962 in Dedovsk, Istrinskiy rayon, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He was an actor, known for Leviathan (2014), 12 (2007) and Dikoe pole (2008). He was married to Natalya Madyanova. He died on 25 September 2024 in Boyarkino, Ramensky District, Moscow Oblast, Russia.

Glafira Tarkhanova was born on 9 November 1983 in Elektrostal, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She is an actress, known for Izmeny (2015), Gibel imperii (2005) and Zakryt geshtalt (2022). She has been married to Aleksey Faddeev since 2005. They have four children.

Leonid Bichevin was born on 27 December 1984 in Klimovsk, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Morphine (2008), The Girl and Death (2012) and Cargo 200 (2007). He has been married to Mariya Berdinskikh since 29 July 2011.

Andrey Merzlikin was born on 24 March 1973 in Kaliningrad, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Korolev, Russia]. He is an actor and director, known for Fortress of War (2010), Zelyonaya kareta (2015) and Gq (2012). He has been married to Anna Merzlikina since March 2006. They have four children.

Olga Filippova was born on 23 January 1977 in Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She is an actress, known for Karmen (2003), Lektor (2011) and Pretorianets (2024).

Vesta Burkot was born on 19 July 1982 in Lyubertsy, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She is an actress and producer, known for To Talk of the Devil (2014), Garde and Kompotsky dym.

Darya Sagalova was born on 14 December 1985 in Podolsk, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She is an actress, known for Nochnye syostry (2007), Univer (2008) and Po goryachim sledam (2011). She has been married to Konstantin Maslennikov since 21 January 2011. They have three children.

Kseniya Borisovna Knyazeva was born in Sergiev Posad, a town in Moscow region, Russia, but she grew up in Krasnoyarsk, in Siberia.

In 1998 she became a national finalist in the Elite Model Look competition.

Working as a model she was on the catwalk for the designers Maurizio Galante, Alexandre Matthieu, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Sportmax, Viktor & Rolf.

At the age of 19 she was admitted to the Moscow Art Theatre School (MXAT), where she studied acting while modeling at the same time.

In 2006 she graduated from the Moscow Art Theatre School.

Pavel Maykov was born on 15 October 1975 in Mytishchi, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR. He is an actor, known for Law of the Lawless (2002), Izmeny (2015) and Zakryt geshtalt (2022). He is married to Yekaterina Maslovskaya. They have one child.

Vitaliy Khaev was born on 1 June 1965 in Mytishchi, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR. He is an actor, known for Izobrazhaya zhertvu (2006), Ragin (2004) and Why Don't You Just Die! (2018).

Mikhail Evlanov was born on 26 March 1976 in Krasnogorsk, Krasnogorskiy rayon, Moskovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Svoi (2004), Pechorin (2011) and Dark Planet (2008). He is married to Tatyana ?. They have one child.