This show is beautifully shot, the makeup is incredible, and the acting is top notch. In particular Stellan Skarsgard and Jared Harris have great chemistry together. But why the hell is everyone English/Western European? Maybe there is a good reason that I don't understand for not having a single Russian or at least Russian sounding actor, but it's hard to take people with posh English accents saying 'comrade' all the time very seriously. It's distracting to have to keep reminding myself that this isn't taking place in London, but communist Russia. Otherwise it's excellent.