Where to Watch Chernobyl in Canada (2023)

The critically-acclaimed HBO miniseries “Chernobyl” retells the events that led to the deadly nuclear disaster that occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine in 1986.

Read on to learn where you can witness the tragic incident and the lingering horror it left behind in Chernobyl and its people on streaming services in Canada.

What Is Chernobyl About?

“Chernobyl” dramatizes the catastrophic event that left fatal levels of radioactive materials in a large part of Chernobyl, Ukraine. The series begins with the explosion of Reactor No. 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. After the disaster, a group of valiant professionals worked together to contain the situation and minimize its disastrous effects. 

Among the brave individuals who worked tirelessly in managing the disaster were: Valery Legasov, a Soviet nuclear physicist who led the crisis response; Boris Shcherbina, a government official responsible for cleanup efforts; and Ulana Khomyuk, another nuclear physicist determined to uncover the truths and political motivations behind the disaster. Together, they endured chaos under the Soviet Union and faced challenges in pursuit of justice and safety for the victims of the tragedy.

“Chernobyl” was released in May 2019 on HBO. It has five episodes and an average run time of one hour.

Who Are in the Cast and Production of Chernobyl?

Screenwriter Craig Mazin, who is also known for his work in the HBO series “The Last of Us,” wrote, created, and produced “Chernobyl.” Filmmaker Johan Renck, who worked on several “Breaking Bad” episodes, served as a director. HBO and Sky Atlantic served as the main distributors of the series. It also features an ensemble cast of renowned actors, including Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson, and Paul Ritter. Here are the main cast members of “Chernobyl”:

• Jared Harris as Valery Legasov
• Stellan Skarsgård as Boris Shcherbina
• Emily Watson as Ulana Khomyuk
• Paul Ritter as Anatoly Dyatlov
• Adam Nagaitis as Vasily Ignatenko
• Con O’Neill as Viktor Bryukhanov
• Adrian Rawlins as Nikolai Fomin
• Sam Troughton as Aleksandr Akimov
• Robert Emms as Leonid Toptunov

What is the Rating for Chernobyl?

“Chernobyl” is rated 14+ in Canada, which means the series is unsuitable for viewers aged 14 and below as it contains moderate to extreme depictions of language, violence, gore, intense scenes, and suggestive sexual content.

How Many People Watch Chernobyl?

“Chernobyl” accumulated eight million viewers during its television run. The series remains in HBO Max’s top 10 shows four years after its release. It is currently the fifth most-watched show this week.

How Are the Reviews for Chernobyl?

“Chernobyl” received critical acclaim for its historical accuracy, cinematic production values, thought-provoking themes, exceptional writing, and the outstanding performances of the cast. It received four nominations at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards and won two: Best Limited Series and Best Supporting Actor for Stellan Skarsgård. The series also received an approval rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82/100 on Metacritic, and 9.4/10 on IMDb. See what critics say about “Chernobyl”:

• “[Chernobyl] is not just excellent television; it’s paradigm-shifting historical storytelling, the kind of tale that alters, ever-so-subtly, the texture of the real world,” Vanity Fair says.

• “Chernobyl is a disaster movie, a spy movie, a horror movie, a political thriller, and a human drama, and it spins each plate expertly,” the Guardian said.

Where to Watch Chernobyl in Canada 

“Chernobyl” is available on streaming services and VODs in Canada.

Is Chernobyl Available on Streaming?

HBO Max

“Chernobyl” is exclusively streaming on HBO Max. However, the streaming service is only available in the US and other parts of Europe, so it would require you to use a VPN to access the platform. To watch the series on HBO Max, register for an account and subscribe to a membership plan of your choice:

Plan	Monthly	Annual	Simultaneous streams	Video resolution	Number of downloads
Ad-Lite	$9.99	$99.99	2 devices	HD	None
Ad-Free	$15.99	$149.99	2 devices	HD	30 titles
Ultimate Ad-Free	$19.99	$199.99	4 devices	HD to 4K	100 titles

HBO Max also supports different devices where you can stream its content, such as smartphones, smart TVs, laptops, tablets, game consoles, and media players like Chromecast and Roku.

You can also stream critically-acclaimed HBO originals on the platform, like “Succession,” “The White Lotus,” “Game of Thrones,” and “Big Little Lies.”

Crave

For a more convenient streaming experience, you can also watch “Chernobyl” on Crave, the Canada-exclusive platform. To stream on Crave, avail yourself of any of the following subscription plans:

Plan	Monthly	Annual	Video resolution	Simultaneous streams
Basic with ads	CAD$9.99	CAD$99.90	720p	1 device
Standard with ads	CAD$14.99	CAD$149.90	4K	4 devices
Premium ad-free	CAD$19.99	CAD$199.99	4K	4 devices

Crave also offers a 7-day free trial to new subscribers that you can cancel at any time. The platform is also compatible with different devices, including smartphones, smart TVs, laptops, tablets, and game consoles like Xbox and PlayStation.

Crave also has content from various networks like HBO, Showtime, and Comedy Central. “The Office,” “Gossip Girl,” and “Yellowjackets” are some of the most noteworthy shows you can binge-watch on Crave.

Is Chernobyl Available for Rent (VOD)?

“Chernobyl” is available for purchase on the following VOD services.

Platform	Full season	Per episode
Microsoft Store	CAD$19.99	CAD$4.49
Google Play Store	CAD$16.99	CAD$3.99

Is Chernobyl Available on Cable or Free TV?

“Chernobyl” aired on the HBO channel in Canada during its television broadcast. It also aired on the UK network Sky Atlantic.

Should I Use a VPN to Watch Chernobyl?

If you prefer to stream via HBO Max, you would need to subscribe to a VPN service. Just make sure to connect to a server located in the US to register for an HBO Max account. Once you’re signed in, search for “Chernobyl” in its catalog and start streaming.

Nuclear Nightmare 

“Chernobyl” highlights the dangers of nuclear power and the devastating consequences of withholding important information. It also offers a glimpse of the sacrifices individuals made to protect future generations from the lasting effects of the Chernobyl disaster.

You can watch the show in Canada on HBO Max, Crave, and VOD services.