Шеф (2012)
A Russian crime drama following a principled police colonel navigating institutional politics and family upheaval in St. Petersburg.
Шеф - Series Information
- Original Title: Шеф
- First Air Year: 2012
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Created by: Oleg Larin
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 178
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: Russian
- Spoken Languages: Russian
- Networks: NTV, Premier
- Alternative Titles: The Boss (RU)
- Production Companies: 3xMedia
- Production Countries: Russia
Шеф - Plot
Viktor Rastorguev, a police colonel, moved to St. Petersburg with his entire family. In Moscow, he crossed paths with a certain official and was forced to leave. He would no longer have been allowed to serve peacefully in Moscow. In St. Petersburg, Rastorguev became the head of the district police department in one of the city's districts. Rastorguev's family moved with him: his wife Olga and 16-year-old son Pavel. They are trying to settle into their new home, but everything in their lives is not turning out the way they would like...
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Шеф - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Oleg Larin
Main Cast
- Andrey Chubchenko
- Kirill Poluhin
- Dmitriy Sutyrin
- Igor Golovin
- Eldar Lebedev
- Yevgeniya Igumnova
- Igor Pavlov
- Oleg Metelev
- Aleksandr Rybakov
- Gennadiy Smirnov
Шеф - FAQs
What is Шеф about?
Шеф centers on Viktor Rastorguev, a police colonel who is forced to leave Moscow after a confrontation with a powerful official. Relocating to St. Petersburg with his wife and teenage son, he takes charge of a district police department while his family struggles to build a new life in unfamiliar surroundings.
Who plays the lead role in Шеф?
Andrey Chubchenko leads the cast as Viktor Rastorguev, the principled police colonel at the heart of the series. He is joined by Kirill Poluhin, Dmitriy Sutyrin, Igor Golovin, and Eldar Lebedev, among others, forming the ensemble that drives the show's procedural and personal storylines.
How many seasons does Шеф have?
Шеф has run for seven seasons, accumulating 178 episodes in total. The seasons vary in length, ranging from 20 to 32 episodes each, reflecting the show's sustained popularity on Russian television since its debut in 2012.
Where can you watch Шеф?
Шеф airs on NTV and is also available on the Premier streaming platform. Availability may vary depending on your region, so checking your local streaming services or the JustWatch platform is the best way to find current viewing options near you.
Is Шеф still ongoing or has it ended?
Шеф is still an active, returning series. With seven seasons completed through 2025 and production continuing, the show remains one of Russia's longest-running police procedurals, consistently drawing audiences back to follow Rastorguev's evolving career and personal challenges.
Who created the Russian series Шеф?
Шеф was created by Oleg Larin and produced by 3xMedia. The series has been broadcast on NTV and the Premier platform, establishing itself as a durable fixture in Russian crime drama television over more than a decade of continuous storytelling.
What are some shows similar to Шеф?
Fans of Шеф may enjoy other police and crime dramas such as The Pembrokeshire Murders, Grace, Jack Irish, and Hill Street Blues. These series share a focus on law enforcement protagonists navigating complex cases alongside personal and institutional pressures, much like Rastorguev does throughout Шеф.
Is Шеф based on real events or true stories?
Шеф is a work of fiction rather than a direct adaptation of real events. However, its portrayal of institutional politics, police bureaucracy, and the personal toll of law enforcement work resonates with authentic experiences, lending the series a grounded, realistic atmosphere throughout its seven-season run.
More About Шеф
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