Russian comedian and actor Dmitry Zhuravlev, best known as the co-host of the entertainment show Natal Card, revealed that he gathered and sold scrap metal in his home village during his teenage years.
Zhuravlev shared details of his past in an interview with Moscow news outlet Gazeta.Ru to mark the release of the crime comedy series Nam Kranty on the Kion streaming platform. In the new project, Zhuravlev takes on an uncharacteristic role as the story's main antagonist, facing off against a trio of young friends who get involved in a high-stakes crime after a scheme to make quick money goes wrong.
Reflecting on the coming-of-age themes in Nam Kranty, Zhuravlev said his own youth contained reckless moments that mirrored the decisions made by the teenage characters in the series. He explained that after a local collective farm collapsed in his village, large quantities of scrap metal were left scattered across surrounding fields. He and his friends would drive around the area, collect discarded metal pieces, and turn them in for cash.
The actor recounted one particular incident when he and his group discovered an abandoned farm in a neighboring village and attempted to remove slate roofing tiles from the structure. He said local residents quickly caught them in the act, forcing the boys to return all the stolen slate tiles. Zhuravlev added that after receiving a reprimand from adults, he and his friends ended their brief involvement in illegal activity, noting with a laugh that his real-life misadventures never reached the severe consequences depicted in his new series.
Mentoring younger actors on set
In Nam Kranty, Zhuravlev plays Artur, a sinister character who serves as a direct threat to three central protagonists named Buslay, Serzhant, and Mansur. The roles of the young friends are portrayed by actors Makar Khlebnikov, Anton Shokalyuk, and Sharifbek Zakirov. Zhuravlev noted that he shared very few scenes with most of the younger cast members, sharing only two scenes with Zakirov throughout the production.
However, Zhuravlev described a warm dynamic on set with Khlebnikov, who was 17 or 18 years old during filming. Zhuravlev said he enjoyed chatting with the young actor, who frequently sought his advice. According to Zhuravlev, Khlebnikov asked questions about professional acting techniques as well as personal milestone decisions, including how Zhuravlev purchased his apartment, when he met his girlfriend, how long he waited before proposing marriage, and whether he had worked continuously. Zhuravlev remarked that he felt like he was passing on life wisdom to the younger actor and praised Khlebnikov's curiosity.
Collaboration with Timofey Tribuntsev
The production also marked the first major project where Zhuravlev shared storylines with veteran actor Timofey Tribuntsev. Zhuravlev confessed that he had long dreamed of working alongside Tribuntsev, describing himself as a dedicated admirer of his work.
Zhuravlev noted that nearly everyone in the Russian creative community fell in love with Tribuntsev after watching director Zhora Kryzhovnikov's acclaimed short film The Curse. He added that he was also a huge fan of Tribuntsev's performances in the feature film Monk and the Demon as well as the comedy short film Accidentally. Upon meeting on set, Zhuravlev found Tribuntsev to be kind, open, and approachable, noting that the pair clicked immediately and laughed together as if they had known each other for a thousand years.
Zhuravlev admitted that filming scenes with Tribuntsev proved to be the most challenging aspect of the entire production because the two actors constantly improvised and broke into uncontrollable laughter during takes. Despite the frequent comedic distractions on set, Zhuravlev emphasized that the crew managed to complete all required scenes on schedule without running into overtime or production delays. He expressed a strong desire to collaborate with Tribuntsev on a future project where they could share larger co-starring roles.
Breaking away from police officer roles
Discussing his broader career trajectory across recent projects, Zhuravlev addressed the sharp contrast between his portrayal of the dark antagonist Artur in Nam Kranty and his work in other genres, such as playing a simpleton in the fairytale adaptation Kolobok. He admitted that he initially considered turning down the role in Nam Kranty because the character wore a uniform, making him worry about getting trapped in a repetitive screen archetype following his prominent role as a police officer in the hit television series Patriot.
However, after discussions with the production team, Zhuravlev realized that Artur was a genuinely evil villain who differed completely from any law enforcement officer he had previously portrayed. He stated that his performance in Nam Kranty represents something he has never done before in any medium, including online video sketches, social media clips, or previous television projects. He noted that while he feels he has already explored everything possible within conventional police roles, he remains open to playing officers in the future if a script offers a fresh dimension to the character.
Audition prejudices and fairytale skills
Zhuravlev revealed that he occasionally encounters skepticism from film directors who assume he is only capable of performing comedic roles. He recalled an audition that took place roughly six months ago, where a director expressed surprise after watching his first take and remarked that Zhuravlev could actually act.
When Zhuravlev asked why the director invited him if he doubted his abilities, the director admitted he initially assumed Zhuravlev was being brought in merely as a high-profile media personality to check a box. Zhuravlev explained that the media world and the cinematic community often operate as separate spheres, leading some filmmakers to judge him solely on his show appearances without researching his broader acting capabilities.
He cited a similar experience during the filming of the fairytale movie Kolobok with director Anton Maslov. After Maslov cast him, Zhuravlev surprised the filmmaker on set by offering to play the traditional stringed instrument known as the gusli, ride horses, perform horseback dismounts, execute sword fights, and perform dance routines himself. When Maslov asked in astonishment whether he could perform all those tasks, Zhuravlev jokingly asked why the director had cast him without knowing he possessed the exact skill set needed for a fairytale project. He expressed satisfaction that directors are increasingly recognizing his versatile skill set, resulting in a steady stream of project offers.
Views on comedy and playing a villain
Addressing the common industry belief that comedy is more difficult to perform than drama because audience reaction is immediate and binary, Zhuravlev offered a nuanced perspective. He noted that while dramatic actors often argue that drama is more complex, comedic performers usually consider comedy harder. For his own part, Zhuravlev explained that performing comedy comes naturally and easily to him.
However, he cautioned against using rigid criteria to measure acting quality, arguing that creative performance is an inherently subjective energy that cannot be neatly evaluated through textbook acting methodologies or competing drama schools. In his view, acting simply comes down to whether a performance succeeds or fails in the moment.
Zhuravlev concluded by explaining that he does not want viewers to seek insights into his personal personality through his dramatic or comedic roles. He pointed out that audiences can see his authentic self in his numerous television and internet hosting projects, whereas his acting roles contain minimal elements of his personal identity beyond physical mannerisms and facial expressions observed from real people.
Speaking specifically about his portrayal of Artur in Nam Kranty, Zhuravlev stressed that his own personality is completely absent from the character. He recalled that whenever the director yelled stop during filming, he would express disgust at the character's actions, describing Artur as an absolute monster, a fiend of hell, and a thoroughly evil individual from every perspective.
