Series synopsis
Chernobyl: Days That Shocked the World is a British documentary television series that premiered on Channel 4 on April 20, 2026. It ended on April 20, 2026.
The Chernobyl meltdown remains the world’s worst nuclear accident. Today, the disaster still haunts survivors, while the clean-up operation will continue for another 40 years.
Premise
The Chernobyl meltdown remains the world’s worst nuclear accident. Today, the disaster still haunts survivors, while the clean-up operation will continue for another 40 years.
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 2 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 2 | April 20, 2026 | April 20, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 On 26 April 1986, a massive explosion rocked the Chernobyl nuclear plant, killing workers and blasting radioactive dust into the atmosphere. The 50,000 residents of nearby Pripyat knew nothing until local officials ordered a full evacuation 36 hours later. The worst nuclear accident in history spread radiation across Northern Europe, yet the Soviet State tried to cover it up. Survivors recall those first catastrophic days. |
April 20, 2026 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Soviet authorities blamed operator error for Chernobyl, deliberately hiding a fundamental reactor design flaw. The shelter hastily built over the wreckage soon began crumbling, until a vast steel arch sealed the ruins in 2016. But in 2025 a Russian drone struck the arch, threatening fresh radiation releases from a site that will remain radioactive for 20,000 years. Can it ever be made safe again? |
April 20, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Channel 4 |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 20, 2026 |
| Last aired | April 20, 2026 |
| Status | ended |